Many Americans are familiar with the history of the star-crossed Donner Party and their deadly ordeal in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the mid-19th century. In One More Mountain, a 1994 Disney dramatization of that journey, based largely on the account of Virginia Reed Murphy (published in 1891), a young girl of 12 and her family survive that hellish winter of 1846 due mainly to the unflagging courage and devotion of her mother, Margaret Reed. Although the film does not feature the most noted activity forever associated with the Donner Party--namely, cannibalism--not all the members resorted to cannibalism, and the fact that they were scattered about the mountain in various camps meant that different groups had different experiences. An excellent bit of historically accurate filmmaking based on primary source material and supported by a fine cast, which includes Meredith Baxter, Jean Simmons, Chris Cooper and Larry Drake, this top-notch Disney Educational Production is accompanied by an in-depth teacher's guide featuring background information on Western Expansion and related topics, curriculum-based activities, and useful resources. Highly recommended. Aud: I, J, P.The first American breed of horse was the Morgan, and the man responsible for this noteworthy premiere in the annals of American animal husbandry was Vermont native Justin Morgan. Based on the novel of the same name by Marguerite Henry and set in New England at the end of the 18th century, the 1972 Disney film Justin Morgan Had a Horse is an entertaining period piece that teaches younger viewers about life and customs in colonial America, as well as the many roles filled by horses in pre-modern society. Horses also play another part in Justin's life: Kathleen, his love interest, is an indentured servant who gains her freedom, and makes a marriage, on the outcome of a horse race. Though this story is a little more fanciful and fictitious in the telling than One More Mountain, it is as historically rich (and it's nice to see a video devoted to the historically important, but often overlooked, subject of livestock breeding). Packaged with a copy of the book and a teacher's guide featuring background information, classroom activities and useful resources, this Disney Educational Production lives up to its notable pedigree, and is highly recommended. Aud: I, J, P. (P. Van Vleck)
Justin Morgan Had a Horse; One More Mountain
(1972) 88 min. $99. Disney Educational Productions. PPR. Color cover. Closed captioned. ISBN: 0-89625-730-4. Vol. 16, Issue 1
Justin Morgan Had a Horse; One More Mountain
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