People around the world use film to learn history, sometimes on purpose, other times on accident. Let’s use movies to learn about the French and Indian War and the time period of the American Revolution.
For this assignment you have two options. The very famous film, “The Last of the Mohicans”, or a lesser known but possibly better and more accurate film, “The Broken Chain”.
The Broken Chain is a TV movie about two brothers who pick different sides of the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.
The Last of the Mohicans is a romantic drama with realistic violence throughout.
My recommendation is to watch The Broken Chain, but the fame of Last of the Mohicans makes it a valuable film to see.
Here are the requirements:
Choose a movie to watch
Determine which lens to watch movie
Watch movie
Read textbook again to see what connections you see, read resources provided, or find your own
Write or record review using the format provided
Give a review of the movie through your chosen lens in four short paragraphs or sections if you choose to do a video review:
One paragraph describing the movie and what it is about (no opinion here, just basic facts!)
One paragraph describing the accuracy of the movie based on your learning from the virtual textbook. What in the movie is similar to what you learned about last week? What is different?
One paragraph reviewing the movie through your lens using evidence from virtual textbook and websites listed (and your own if you want to research)
One paragraph offering recommendations for the movie and who should watch it
In 8th grade, a paragraph is considered 3-5 sentences.
Lens Choices:
Portrayal of Native Americans: Are they major characters? Are Native Americans cast in most of the major roles? Are they accurately portrayed? You can look at this through historical accuracy or by looking at stereotypes.
Women in film: Do they have a purpose outside of love interest? Are they shown as they were or as they are now? What were their roles? Again, this can be looked at through historical accuracy or by being critical of stereotypes.
Costuming and setting: Are costumes accurate compared to the historical clothes? Are people dressed properly based on their class? You can also look at buildings, housing structures, Native American living quarters, equipment, etc.
Historical events: Any events that are shown in the film that happened in real life? Did they happen the way they actually did, or differently? Are there any similar events that the movie was inspired by, and are they close to being accurate? Can also look at historical individuals, such as William Johnson from “The Broken Chain”.
War and battle: Are the battles accurate? Are the guns used in film as they were in the past? Are the battle tactics historically accurate?
Here are some resources I found that could help you do this project.
General Historical Accuracy
Broken Chain" Tells History From Indians' Point of ViewLinks to an external site.
Facts of the 'Mohicans' : A Historian Is Impressed by the Details in the Movie but Sees Inaccuracies in the Depiction of Frontier LifeLinks to an external site.
How Historically Accurate Is The Last of the Mohicans - and When Is It Set?Links to an external site.
13 Everyday Objects of Colonial America - HISTORYLinks to an external site.
General Facts about Iroquois culture:
Iroquois Tribe: Fascinating Facts About Their Food and Clothing - HistoryplexLinks to an external site.
Portrayal of Women and Gender in the two movies:
Broken Chain" Tells History From Indians' Point of ViewLinks to an external site.
Facts of the 'Mohicans' : A Historian Is Impressed by the Details in the Movie but Sees Inaccuracies in the Depiction of Frontier LifeLinks to an external site.
Costumes and Clothing Styles
Colonial Clothing - Revolution and the New Republic 1775-1800Links to an external site.
Battle Tactics
Learn about the regimented fighting and muskets used on both sides in the American Revolutionary WarLinks to an external site.
Movie Choices:
the broken chain or the last of the Mohicans
