Project 3: Critical Film Review
Your job in this essay is to research an event or person from history, watch the film on the topic and then assess the historic validity of the film. Be sure to read all the relevant critique suggestions before you begin. After watching the film and comparing it with your notes, you may want to check additional reviews and watch it again before fiishing your final draft, which should be about 4-5 pages in length.
Last of the Mohicans. 1992. — The Battle of Fort William Henry during the French and Indian War, 1757. Daniel Day Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Wes Studi. Demonstrates the tension among three cultures in North America on the eve of the Revolution: British, colonial, Native American.
The Crossing. 2000. TV Movie. General Washington takes his ragged Continental Army across the Delaware in 1776 to attach the Hessians at Trenton. Jeff Daniels, Sebastian Roché.
The Patriot. 2000. — The American Revolution in the South. Based loosely on Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox." Mel Gibson, Chris Cooper. Fictionalized account of the Battle of Cowpens, etc.

Amistad. 1998. A cargo of slaves rebel against their crew. Anthony Hopkins, Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman, Djimon Hounsou. The case of the rebelious slaves goes to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it is argued by former President John Quincy Adams.

The Alamo. 2004. Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric. Story of the heroic stand made by a small group of Texans during the movement for Texas independence.

Texas. 1994. — The Texas Revolution of 1835-6 based on James Michener's book. Stacey Keach, Patrick Duffy, David Keith. The “back story” of the battle at the Alamo.

Abe Lincoln in Illinois. 1939. – The Young Abraham Lincoln. Raymond Massey. How the character of the great president evolved while he was still a young man.
Uncle Tom's Cabin. 1987. — A view of slavery based on Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 novel. Avery Brooks, Edward Woodward, Bruce Dern. Heavily condensed, it nevertheless conveys the impact of the book.
Gettysburg. 1993. The Great Battle of the Civil War. Based on Michael Shaara's book,The Killer Angels. Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen, Stephen Culp. Filmed on the actual site of the battle.

Glory. 1989. — The 54th Massachusetts in the Civil War. Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman. One of the first African-American regiments to see action during the great conflict.
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The films below relate to the time period of History 122, but the issues they deal with have a connection with History 121 subjects.

Iron Jawed Angels. 2004. Defiant young activists put their lives at risk to win American women the right to vote. Hilary Swank, Frances O'Connor. Relates to earlier activism by women, especially the Seneca Falls Conference of 1848. Based on the activities of Alice Paul and her fellow feminists.
Broken Arrow. 1950. Apache Leader Cochise deals with white expansion into the Southwest. James Stewart, Jeff Chandler, Debra Paget. Conflict between Indians and whites started at Jamestown—and the story is not over yet. Jeff Chandler and Debra Paget were not the first nor last whites actors to portray Indians. That would not occur now. James Stewart plays ex-cavalry Civil War Captain Tom Jeffords, a real person. The romance between Jeffords and the Indian healer girl Sonseeahray played by Paget did not happen, but it serves a useful purpose.
Geronimo. 1993. — Wes Studi, Jason Patric, Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Matt Damon. The Apache leaders fights for his way of life. As with the film above, this film relates to the larger story. Consider the historic significance of the film itself in its treatment of the Apache chief and the army officers involved.
Updated February 9, 2008 | Writing History 121