Movie Reviews!
In order to get EXTRA CREDIT for watching a movie during any unit, you must
write a critical movie review of the movie, giving your opinion of various
aspects of the movie. Your review MUST be typed. ONLY ONE (1) IS ALLOWED
EVERY FIVE (5) WEEKS.
FOR A DRAMATIC MOVIE
Your review should be three paragraphs long. The first paragraph should be a
summary of the movie, giving a general overview of the setting, characters,
and plot of the film. In your second paragraph, you should discuss what you
learned about history from the film. Your third paragraph should be a
critical review of the movie. What did you like about the movie? What didn't
you like?
FOR A DOCUMENTARY
Your review should be three paragraphs long. The first paragraph should be a
summary of the movie, giving a general overview of the documentary. What
information was covered? In your second paragraph, you should discuss what
you learned about history from the film. Your third paragraph should be a
critical review of the documentary. What did you like about the movie? What
didn't you like?!
*The American President. (1995) Fictional story of a widowed US president and
a lobbyist who fall in love. It shows some of what the President and Congress
go through in order to pass a bill, and it has some "behind the scenes" parts
to the job of President.
*Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) a naive man is appointed to fill a
vacancy in the US Senate. His plans promptly collide with political
corruption, but he doesn't back down. A look at Congress (an older look, that
is).
*The Alamo. (2003). the tale of a handful of men who stood up for their
passion and ideals against an overwhelming force
*Amistad. (1997) a powerful (and long) movie dramatizing the events
surrounding an 1839 slave rebellion on the Spanish slave ship La Amistad.
Beware - there is a very shocking portrayal of the slave trade and the middle
passage. Get your parent's permission to watch this movie! ASK YOUR PARENTS
FOR PERMISSION AND THEN HAVE YOUR PARENTS SIGN YOUR MOVIE REVIEW PAPER!
*The Alamo. (1960). the legendary true story of a small band of soldiers who
sacrificed their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to
prevent a tyrant from smashing the new Republic of Texas.
*Roots. (1977). the story revolves around Kunta Kinte, a young African who is
abducted from his village, sold into slavery, and taken to America. Although
long, this mini-series is incredibly powerful. Ask your parents about it - I
am sure they will remember when it aired.
*Texas. (1994). Also known as James A. Michener's Texas, this miniseries is
available at most video stores. It chronicles the political conflicts between
the settlers of Mexico and the Mexican government which escalate and lead to
war and Texan independence.
*The Civil War, (1990). This highly acclaimed mini series traces the course of
the U.S. Civil War from the abolitionist movement through all the major
battles to the death of President Lincoln and the beginnings of
Reconstruction. Long? Yes. Good? Incredible.
*Gettysburg, (1993), Based upon the novel 'The Killer Angels', this four and
1/4 hour depiction of the historical and personal events surrounding and
including the decisive American Civil War battle features thousands of civil
war re-enactors marching over the exact ground that the federal army and the
army of North Virginia fought on. Long? Yes. Good? Absolutely .
*Andersonville, (1996), this film "... looks at the atrocities that occurred
in the 1864 prisoner-of-war camp run by the Confederacy in Georgia. The prison
originally planned to house 8000, eventually swelled to 33,000 which left
little shelter, food or water for the prisoners and unclean conditions. This
movie makes you happy that you never were in a Civil War prisoner of war camp!
*The Hunley, (1999), "CSS Hunley tells the incredible true story of the crew
of the manually propelled submarine CSS Hunley, during the siege of Charleston
of 1864.
*Ironclads, (1991), It's pretty much what you would expect - a movie about the
Ironclads! You may have to search to find it at the video store or the
library, though.
*"North and South" (1985)
Book I - The story of the friendship between two boys - George Hazard and Orry
Main - that meet at West Point. In the years leading up to the Civil War
their friendship is tested as their families interact and hostilities between
the North and South increase.
Book II - The continuing saga of the Hazards and the Mains. Now they find
themselves fighting on opposite sides of the Civil War and struggle to
maintain their friendship through these troubled times.
*"The Day Lincoln was Shot" (1998). This made-for-TV movie chronicles the
assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth.
*Gone With the Wind (1939). The classic tale of Scarlett O'Hara in Atlanta
during the Civil War. You will watch this one in Mrs. Huijbregts� class.
