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Where are the films about the Mayflower and the Pilgrims?

posted 6 months ago by PrimeMinisterX (8306)
16 replies | jump to latest

As we here in the United States wind our way into November and approach Thanksgiving, I thought it would be good to watch a movie about the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. The only problem is that, as far as I can tell, there is very little to choose from.

And it made me wonder: Why has this episode of history been almost entirely ignored by filmmakers? We have seen other films made about much more obscure historical events, and the story of the Mayflower even has a holiday to go with it (i.e. a great time to release a coinciding movie), so why do we not have at least a few well-known, big-budget films to watch around this time of year?

Any ideas?

[–] Where (1273) 6 months ago

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4705002/

Enjoy!

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8306) 6 months ago

I was actually reading about that earlier. It appears my library has the DVD. I will pick it up.

This does seem along the lines of what I'm looking for, but still not quite the big-budget film by a master director that I feel the subject deserves.

[–] FredBurroughs (19781) 6 months ago

The New World (2005) covers this:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0402399/reference

Pretty good movie, though the extended cuts offer a bit more material.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8306) 6 months ago

Saw it years ago. It seems I remember being very bored, but then again Malick is often hit-and-miss and too artsy of a director to cover this subject properly.

I think we need a good popular filmmaker who really knows how to ENTERTAIN while also treating the subject seriously and with reverence. My first instinct was to name Ridley Scott, but thinking back on it, he often is derisive toward Christianity in his films so that disqualifies him. We would need someone who respects and understands the Puritan legacy and their beliefs.

Scorsese would be interesting, and if he brings his A-game Ron Howard also could perhaps be good.

[–] nyctc7 (41368) 6 months ago

The definitive version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygoLKkLExAg&t=22s

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8306) 6 months ago

C'mon, bruh.

[–] nyctc7 (41368) 6 months ago

I love historical drama and biopics, and off the top of my head I can't really think of anything.
edit: see hownos comment below

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8306) 6 months ago

Yes, and isn't that strange? Not only is a the story of the Pilgrims major history and interesting, but the month of November gives Hollywood a perfect release window.

[–] [deleted] 6 months ago

not enough books or well known people to do movie about the early pilgrims. i guess you could do a light fictional movie.

[–] nyctc7 (41368) 6 months ago

sitcom

[–] SamNoyoun (4469) 6 months ago

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[–] [deleted] 6 months ago

this happens with quite a few historical periods and events. the korean war and the american revolutionary war for example.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8306) 6 months ago

Well the Korean War just got a movie this time last year called Devotion. And the Revolutionary War will always have The Patriot (even if its historical accuracy is highly questionable).

[–] Padeen (6459) 6 months ago

I'd love to see a big budget film on the time period. I wonder though, maybe the big studios consider a project like that a risk and worry it wouldn't garner enough attention.

About Saints & Strangers, it's absolutely worth the watch. I remember when it came out and wondered why NatGeo doesn't do more of this? The channel has steadily gone done hill over the years.

Have you seen Black Robe? While not about The Mayflower or Pilgrims, it does take place around the same time period.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8306) 6 months ago

I figure that IS what they think, but far lesser events have gotten the Hollywood treatment. (Think of something like Spielberg's Amistad. Who had even heard of that story before he made a movie on it?)

As for Saints and Strangers, I've placed a hold on the DVD at the library and it should be ready for me in a few days. I'll definitely check it out. NatGeo has done some other mini-series that I liked that, if you haven't seen them, you may want to check out. One was The Hot Zone from a few years ago and another was A Small Light, which I think was from this year and is about the girl who hid the Frank family during WWII.

I have not seen Black Robe but have heard of it. It looks interesting. I'll have to give it a look.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (72163) 6 months ago

It may not be what you're looking for but there was a very atmospheric horror movie from 2015 called The Witch that might fulfill your requirements. It had great sets and costumes, the lensing was top shelf and the story was good and creepy.

As for why the era is only lightly represented on film is anyone's guess, it was a fascinating time.
A movie about King Phillip's War would be interesting but maybe only to a small audience of history nerds.