The first “declared” war in America set tragic precedents for future relations between Native Americans and white settlers. Featuring narration by actor Roy Scheider, Mystic Voices: The Pequot War, from filmmakers Guy Perrotta and Charles Clemmons, follows the migration of the Pequot (“Shallow Water”) people to their ultimate home in New England…where they would meet Europeans who viewed the New World as a savage--even evil--place ripe for exploitation. Two massive epidemics struck North American natives after the arrival of the Europeans, killing as many as 90% of the population by 1623; then, in 1637--after a series of misunderstandings and skirmishes--a group of English soldiers attacked the Pequot village of Missituck (Mystic), killing at least 400 men, women, and children in less than an hour. Although the Pequot War happened relatively early in American history, the horror of the massacre had a profoundly negative and lasting effect. This regional Emmy winner features interviews with noted scholars and descendants of both the English and the Pequots, is well-illustrated with paintings and maps, and is nicely scored. In addition, the documentary is prefaced with notes stating that the dialects used are historically accurate, the dates are according to the Julian-style calendar, and statements spoken in the re-enactments are the subjects' actual words. A must for libraries in New England, this is highly recommended elsewhere. Editor's Choice. Aud: C, P. (R. Reagan)
Mystic Voices: The Pequot War
(2005) 116 min. VHS: $99.95: public libraries; $295: colleges & universities. The Cinema Guild. PPR. ISBN: 0-7815-1089-9. Volume 20, Issue 5
Mystic Voices: The Pequot War
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