Saints & Strangers

For a modestly budgeted historical drama, this 2015 National Geographic Channel-aired two-part miniseries offering a somewhat revisionist retelling of the Mayflower saga scores decent marks for accuracy, mood, and period detail, featuring a fine cast that brings nuance to a story that most of us think we know (but probably don't). The 100-plus souls who braved a frightful journey to the New World in 1620 dwindle down from disease and danger, but persevere in spirit and resolution as they build their colony of Plymouth. The primary adventurers are god-fearing William Bradford (Vincent Kartheiser) and Stephen Hopkins (Ray Stevenson), the latter a doubtful explorer leaving England under a fog of humiliation. The pair lead an assortment of interesting background characters who struggle mightily to forge a life on the craggy shores of New England (the vivid locations were actually shot in South Africa). Of equal interest are the aboriginal people they find—or who find them—once they are ashore. Hailing from various tribes and speaking authentic (subtitled) languages, these sturdy, wily folk are led by Pokanoket honcho Massasoit (Raoul Trujillo) and Patuxet warrior Squanto (Kalani Queypo), who can speak to the Europeans in their own tongue. The conflicting agendas, rampant suspicions, and shifting alliances negotiated by the multiple groups are plausibly presented here in a well-researched script. Extras include deleted scenes. Recommended. (T. Fry)