329:question:329--week_5_questions_comments-2020
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| 329:question:329--week_5_questions_comments-2020 [2020/09/24 02:51] – megan_williams | 329:question:329--week_5_questions_comments-2020 [2020/09/24 13:27] (current) – [IV.How does this movie work as a primary source about the time period in which it was made or the filmmakers?] janis_shurtleff | ||
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| I think the movie works well in that it focuses on a time that is not really discussed in the average history class. It focuses on the actual Amistad case and the main individuals involved, with a majority of individuals being actual individuals. They emphasized the importance of some of these individuals to the case, such as Sinque, Baldwin, and even James Covey. Overall, I think it works as an exceptional secondary source, especially when used alongside other sources about the subject. Like most historical movies, it helps to provide a visual representation of the subject. -- Jordan Petty | I think the movie works well in that it focuses on a time that is not really discussed in the average history class. It focuses on the actual Amistad case and the main individuals involved, with a majority of individuals being actual individuals. They emphasized the importance of some of these individuals to the case, such as Sinque, Baldwin, and even James Covey. Overall, I think it works as an exceptional secondary source, especially when used alongside other sources about the subject. Like most historical movies, it helps to provide a visual representation of the subject. -- Jordan Petty | ||
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| + | This film works very well if one wants to visit a scarcely discussed time period and concept in American History. The film focuses on the period between the American Revolution and Civil war, and focuses on the concept of illegal slave trading at the time. The film does an excellent job of portraying attitudes, social climate, politics, culture, law and other concepts accurately. The way the Africans are portrayed is not with a stereotypical lens, and it feels like Spielberg and the other filmmakers attempted to portray the events of the film in the most accurate way possible. Despite a few characters that did not exist and were created for the sake of the film's story, this film is one of the more historically accurate ones we have been able to view so far -- AJ DeGeorge | ||
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| + | This film appears to actually be fairly historically accurate. | ||
| I think that this movie works very well as a secondary source. It seems as though this has been one of the** most fact-based films that we have watched so far**. The filmmakers stayed true to the historical evidence that is available and told the story of the slaves in a way that shows the raw emotion and feelings involved in the story. I think that this movie goes beyond the readings to provide visual interpretation in a way that works very well. -- Mariah Morton | I think that this movie works very well as a secondary source. It seems as though this has been one of the** most fact-based films that we have watched so far**. The filmmakers stayed true to the historical evidence that is available and told the story of the slaves in a way that shows the raw emotion and feelings involved in the story. I think that this movie goes beyond the readings to provide visual interpretation in a way that works very well. -- Mariah Morton | ||
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| I think Amistad is an incredible secondary source because it provides a great visual representation of the events that happened in 1839-1841 around the captured Africans. To be honest I had never heard of the events surrounding the Amistad so I watched this movie in complete shock and amazement! Like Madison said it shows the willingness of other Africans to sell other Africans into slavery. It shows the graphic details of being on a slave ship. It shows how people were willing to break international law to make money by selling and exploiting others. Additionally, | I think Amistad is an incredible secondary source because it provides a great visual representation of the events that happened in 1839-1841 around the captured Africans. To be honest I had never heard of the events surrounding the Amistad so I watched this movie in complete shock and amazement! Like Madison said it shows the willingness of other Africans to sell other Africans into slavery. It shows the graphic details of being on a slave ship. It shows how people were willing to break international law to make money by selling and exploiting others. Additionally, | ||
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| + | I think what this movie does a decent of portraying is how the Mendi people started to become followers of the Bible and Jesus Christ. While watching the movie I thought the involvement of the bible was just something the writers/ | ||
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| + | I think that as a secondary source this could work fairly well to tell the basic story of the Amistad men as well as the treatment of Africans when they were captured and brought on slave ships to whatever country had captured them. There are a large number of errors with this movie, both in the historical context and the story itself, including the timeline and some other minor details but it was a basic summary of the story and gave a visual and emotional take on how some of the men must have been feeling. The portrayal of how the African people were treated on the slave ships is most definitely a glimpse into what it was actually like as well as the lengths the Europeans went to to cover up their illegal activity. I think this was also a good look into how the men from the Amistad came to Christianity, | ||
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| + | This movie was an incredibly impactful one, if for nothing else than because of the court case and events that it is highlighting. While I had heard of this case before, I did not know many of the specific details and people that were involved. While this movie is not 100% historically accurate, it doesn’t hide the horrors of the slave trade in this time period. //Amistad// not only highlights the key players in the case as well as the key issues and ideologies surrounding it. It touches on the United States’ relationship with Spain and the idea that the final decision of this case would create a major precedent for future court cases involving slavery. The movie also highlights how the Mende people were introduced to Christianity and that many began to practice Chritisninty as thier religion. While again this movie should not be taken solely at face value, as it clearly as some problems such as referencing this event causing the Civil War which is not entirely accurate. I think it can serve as a valuable secondary source for a little more in-depth introduction to the topic of the court case involving the // | ||
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| + | The film’s portrayal of the interested parties in the fate of the illegally acquired enslaved Africans was interesting. I think the film was rather good when it showcased the white abolitionist as more interested in the abolitionist movement rather than the fate of the Africans. As many within the abolitionist cause saw slavery as an immoral institution but also were racist in that they believed that the slaves should be sent back to African as not to interfere with white society. Though not entirely connected to the film the fact that the filmmakers did not make the abolitionists all good, seemed to be a more accurate look at the abolitionists. The politics of the case and the setbacks fit with the nature of such a case and implications for the nation and its foreign connections. The turbulent times in which the nation was existing made any act which could be a challenge to slavery a difficult case indeed. The film’s portrayal of the conditions of the transatlantic journey for slaves was brutal and included many points which can be compared to with the historical record. The cramped and inhospitable conditions that the slaves were forced to endure, the constant fear and wanton punishments, | ||
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| + | I think this film works really well as a secondary source. I knew that enslaved Africans were treated very poorly but I didn't know about this exact case in history. Based on what we learned in class, the film does follow the historical storyline pretty well. It doesn' | ||
| ====== II. Problems with historical accuracy? Errors in fact? ====== | ====== II. Problems with historical accuracy? Errors in fact? ====== | ||
| This week’s film did get a lot of the little details correct, for example, most of the clothing seemed to be within the correct era, as well as the hairstyles and wigs. But, there are some things the movie did seem to get wrong, for example, in the movie the **timeline appears to be fairly fast**, but in reality, a court case like this would take a couple of years, if not longer. The Amistad also leaves out the social code, or segregation of African Americans within the courthouse, and especially in the Supreme Court. - Kaylee Williams | This week’s film did get a lot of the little details correct, for example, most of the clothing seemed to be within the correct era, as well as the hairstyles and wigs. But, there are some things the movie did seem to get wrong, for example, in the movie the **timeline appears to be fairly fast**, but in reality, a court case like this would take a couple of years, if not longer. The Amistad also leaves out the social code, or segregation of African Americans within the courthouse, and especially in the Supreme Court. - Kaylee Williams | ||
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| + | The Number 1 problem with historical accuracy is that I feel as if the film overstates how into abolitionism the people in the north were in 1839. So many of the characters seem so uncool with slavery, except Matthew McConaughey' | ||
| The movie, // | The movie, // | ||
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| Like Kaylee said the timeline of this film felt fast even though it was spread out over a longer period. With this distortion it made it seem that as soon as the Africans won their court case they were on a boat back to African. When in reality it took some time and some exploration of them on Lewis Tappan’s side. Another, the movie didn’t show was the fact that Jose Ruiz and Pedro Montes were arrested, and released on bail to escape back to Cuba. Also, like others were saying the film distorts race relations during this period. Society almost seemed too integrated. Another, the film does in downplay JQA’s 8 1/2 hour speech but again that's because they need to fight the story within a specific timeframe. -Megan Williams | Like Kaylee said the timeline of this film felt fast even though it was spread out over a longer period. With this distortion it made it seem that as soon as the Africans won their court case they were on a boat back to African. When in reality it took some time and some exploration of them on Lewis Tappan’s side. Another, the movie didn’t show was the fact that Jose Ruiz and Pedro Montes were arrested, and released on bail to escape back to Cuba. Also, like others were saying the film distorts race relations during this period. Society almost seemed too integrated. Another, the film does in downplay JQA’s 8 1/2 hour speech but again that's because they need to fight the story within a specific timeframe. -Megan Williams | ||
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| + | A small note that I wanted to add involves the presence of John Quincy Adams in the house of Representatives as the film ignores the gag rule. In his protests the institution of slavery the gag rule was often applied to the ex-president while the film presented a calm assembly with a sleeping president. I think it was a failed moment that could have presented a prevalent issue of the time in which the Amistad case took place. -Robert Keitz | ||
| ====== III. How does the film’s overall interpretation(s) deviate from scholarly historical sources? ====== | ====== III. How does the film’s overall interpretation(s) deviate from scholarly historical sources? ====== | ||
| - | I noticed an occasionally re-appearing theme in the film that seemed to contradict the primary source account of Tappan, which we were assigned. Tappan was struck by the causal humor and orderly quietude of the prisoners. However, the film freaquently | + | I noticed an occasionally re-appearing theme in the film that seemed to contradict the primary source account of Tappan, which we were assigned. |
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| + | The reading “An Abolitionist Defends the Amistad Mutineers” by Lewis Tappan noted some of the details he encountered while engaged in the Amistad case that seem counter to the film’s portrayal. Tappan described the Africans as much calmer than the film’s overall depiction and that the prison kept them separated. Furthermore, | ||
| ====== IV. How does this movie work as a primary source about the time period in which it was made or the filmmakers? ====== | ====== IV. How does this movie work as a primary source about the time period in which it was made or the filmmakers? ====== | ||
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| //Amistad// does have some aspects of being a primary source for the time period that is accurate and reliable. The movie presents an accurate depiction of the powerful and unforgettable horrors that come with the voyage through the Middle Passage for enslaves Africans. The movie is loosely based on the true events of the Mende people from Sierra Leone that were taken from their villages and sold illegally in Cuba to landowners. The story in the movie is true in part that during this time in America, Spain and Cuba, slavery was legal and more enslaved individuals were being brought from Africa. The Amistad case helped to propel the country toward abolishing slavery in the U.S. with the looming of the Civil War and the emergence of the Abolitionist Movement. This movie should be seen as a somewhat primary source for the subject of slavery but it should be used as more of an educational tool. -Lauren Simpson | //Amistad// does have some aspects of being a primary source for the time period that is accurate and reliable. The movie presents an accurate depiction of the powerful and unforgettable horrors that come with the voyage through the Middle Passage for enslaves Africans. The movie is loosely based on the true events of the Mende people from Sierra Leone that were taken from their villages and sold illegally in Cuba to landowners. The story in the movie is true in part that during this time in America, Spain and Cuba, slavery was legal and more enslaved individuals were being brought from Africa. The Amistad case helped to propel the country toward abolishing slavery in the U.S. with the looming of the Civil War and the emergence of the Abolitionist Movement. This movie should be seen as a somewhat primary source for the subject of slavery but it should be used as more of an educational tool. -Lauren Simpson | ||
| - | I think this film serves as an exceptional addition to Steven Spielberg' | + | I think this film serves as an exceptional addition to Steven Spielberg' |
| A side note that I thought was interesting was in regards to the film deciding to cast Matthew McConaughey as Roger Sherman Baldwin. I can't help but think that his role in //A Time to Kill//, in which he plays a white lawyer defending an African American in a murder case, helped Spielberg make the decision to cast him in // | A side note that I thought was interesting was in regards to the film deciding to cast Matthew McConaughey as Roger Sherman Baldwin. I can't help but think that his role in //A Time to Kill//, in which he plays a white lawyer defending an African American in a murder case, helped Spielberg make the decision to cast him in // | ||
| - | Amistad shows that Steven | + | Amistad shows that Steven |
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| + | I think this film shows that Spielberg had a stronger ambition than most directors to be historically accurate. | ||
| This film works as an excellent source about the 1990s, and more importantly about Steven Spielberg as a director and Debbie Allen as the producer of the film. For 13 years, Debbie Allen worked to get this movie made. Starting in 1984, Allen' | This film works as an excellent source about the 1990s, and more importantly about Steven Spielberg as a director and Debbie Allen as the producer of the film. For 13 years, Debbie Allen worked to get this movie made. Starting in 1984, Allen' | ||
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| -Cat Kinde | -Cat Kinde | ||
| - | This is a great primary source when looking at Steven Spielberg’s career. This film came out in 1997 five years after Schindler’s List and four years after he won his first two Oscars. Something I had not realized was that after this win he took a hiatus. He came in 1997 and Amistad was the second film to come out after his hiatus and Oscar wins. A big reason why he took the hiatus was to spend more time with his family. From the interview, I got the impression that he was a family man. This is why I don’t find it surprising when he said that Amistad was the most important film he had ever made in relation to his family. When he said this he was referring to his two adopted African American children. Another that is important to note is that this was the first film Spielberg made with Dreamworks. Another | + | This is a great primary source when looking at Steven Spielberg’s career. This film came out in 1997 five years after Schindler’s List and four years after he won his first two Oscars. Something I had not realized was that after this win he took a hiatus. He came in 1997 and Amistad was the second film to come out after his hiatus and Oscar wins. A big reason why he took the hiatus was to spend more time with his family. From the interview, I got the impression that he was a family man. This is why I don’t find it surprising when he said that Amistad was the most important film he had ever made in relation to his family. When he said this he was referring to his two adopted African American children. Another that is important to note is that this was the first film Spielberg made with Dreamworks. Another |
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| - | A side note that I want to point out is that this film came out seven months before Saving Private Ryan. | + | |
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| - | -Megan Williams | + | |
| + | I think that this movie works well as a primary source for its time period and as a Spielberg. It has the big names and the intensity that are expected to come from Spielberg at this point. It brings the somewhat happy and moments of connection between characters also expected from both the time period and Spielberg. **I think it is a good comparison to Spielberg' | ||
| + | This film tells a lot about 1990s Hollywood and the gray area of creating a historic film that is still meant to be a blockbuster and its subsequent racial relation in film. Because of this, the movie’s intention is tainted to become a form of entertainment not education. | ||
| ====== V. The "So, what?" question ====== | ====== V. The "So, what?" question ====== | ||
| - | I think what makes //Amistad// so important is that it tells a story that many are not very familiar with. The Amistad case isn't really something that is generally discussed, and after watching the movie, I was surprised that it isn't discussed more often. I also think that its importance, especially for a film made in 1997, is that it does a fair job in putting African Americans at the forefront of the story, especially Cinque. -- Jordan Petty | + | I think what makes //Amistad// so important is that** it tells a story that many are not very familiar with**. The Amistad case isn't really something that is generally discussed, and after watching the movie, I was surprised that it isn't discussed more often. I also think that its importance, especially for a film made in 1997, is that it does a fair job in putting African Americans at the forefront of the story, especially Cinque. -- Jordan Petty |
| - | //Amistad// is a film that for many might be their first chance at learning about the story of the Amistad, and with that being said, I think that it does a great job at telling the story. I think that for many it explains the case from beginning to end and the impact that it made in the lives of the people involved. I think the film also shows the importance that this case holds in the course of history. I believe it is important that more people learn about cases such as the Amistad case, because it provides more depth and understanding into the historical events in our country' | + | //Amistad// is a film that f**or many might be their first chance at learning about the story of the Amistad, and with that being said, I think that it does a great job at telling the story.** I think that for many it explains the case from beginning to end and the impact that it made in the lives of the people involved. I think the film also shows the importance that this case holds in the course of history. I believe it is important that more people learn about cases such as the Amistad case, because it provides more depth and understanding into the historical events in our country' |
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| + | This film gave me a stronger reaction to any portrayal of slavery than any other movie I have seen. There are many movies I have seen about slavery, but this one gave me an incredibly strong reaction. | ||
| I think //Amistad// is an important film for the overall impression it leaves with the viewer. Looking at this case from a historical perspective is not the same as viewing it on screen. This was the first time I've ever encountered this information, | I think //Amistad// is an important film for the overall impression it leaves with the viewer. Looking at this case from a historical perspective is not the same as viewing it on screen. This was the first time I've ever encountered this information, | ||
| - | The portrayal of the slave trade I think means a lot. The inhumane-ness of it is something that is extremely watered down in history classes. A high school teacher had us watched the flashback scenes on the ship one time and I remember being so horrified. Reading about something like this and then watching a portrayal of it are two completely different things. There are no rose colored glasses for those scenes and I think it's really important that someone like Spielberg gave it this kind of attention. -Madison Roberts | + | **The portrayal of the slave trade I think means a lot. The inhumane-ness of it is something that is extremely watered down in history classes.** A high school teacher had us watched the flashback scenes on the ship one time and I remember being so horrified. Reading about something like this and then watching a portrayal of it are two completely different things. There are no rose colored glasses for those scenes and I think it's really important that someone like Spielberg gave it this kind of attention. -Madison Roberts |
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| + | Film is a visual slap in the face. R**eading about painful historical events can be impactful in it's own way, but there is something visceral about // | ||
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| + | The scenes in this movie depicting the treatment of slaves make you feel uncomfortable. They make you angry and they make your stomach turn. If the scene with the baby on the ship doesn' | ||
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| + | I think Amistad is an extremely important movie, **it tells a story that not many know, about a time that not many are willing to acknowledge.** I think it certainly is important because it is one of the few films about the time that tells it how it is without and omissions and shows you as well, the purpose is to make you uncomfortable so that you understand. It also uses the names like John Quincy Adams and Martin Van Buren to remind you that this was real, this is not a story that Hollywood crafted to create a reaction or to get ratings, regardless of how much they changed it to do this, it is still a true circumstance, | ||
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| + | Analyzing this film and its impacts on and reflections of society in 1997 is incredibly important. This film doesn’t hold much back in the treatment of enslaved peoples on illegal slave trade ships, from how they were kidnapped to their terrible journey to South or North America that few survived; everything was displayed. | ||
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| + | I think this film is important for the powerful image it creates of this time period. There were some Americans who were idealized in a sense, but many others and their opinions on slaves weren' | ||
| - | Film is a visual slap in the face. Reading about painful historical events can be impactful | + | I really want to like a movie in this class and Amistad was promising, but in the end I found it to be factual but with fictional and misleading portrayals. |
329/question/329--week_5_questions_comments-2020.1600915881.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/09/24 02:51 by megan_williams