Historical Movie Review: The Rosa Parks Story

 This movie may better be called the Rosa Parks (Angela Bassett) and Raymond Parks (Peter Francis James) story.  The thing that makes this story work is the relationship between the two.  Even though it was Rosa who sat on the bus, and was arrested for not vacating her seat, the were both partner, Raymond usually more concerned about her safety than she was herself.  

This was a made for TV movie and it ends with real video of President Clinton awarding her the medal of freedom.  

Historical Movie Review: ****I Will Fight No More Forever (1975)

This is a made for TV movie telling the story of the forced removal of the Nez Perce from their lands in the Walla Walla Valley.  The Nez Perce and Chief Joseph (Ned Romero) resisted the removal.  They had previously been promised this area.  The man in charge of bringing him in was General Oliver O. Howard (James Whitmore) of Civil War fame.  Captain Wood (Sam Elliot) supported him throughout.  There were times when the press, and politicians and the community at large were all murmuring about Howard's efforts, as a band of only 100 seemed to be too difficult for him.  Plenty of opportunity for Elliot to theorize on how it was wrong to chase the Nez Perce.  this concludes with Chief Joseph's famous speech in which he delineates all those who are dead, and then announces he will not fight no more.

Video Review: Newe The Shoshone People

Newe: The Shoshone People - Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada and Utah. Turtle Island, USA

This movie is mostly drum music playing with written narrative.  Shoshone comes from the word for high grass.  They refer to themselves as Newe.  They were first called Shoshone by Meriweather Lewis.  This video tells a brief story of the Shoshone culture and talks of some of the differences between groups of Shoshone; Western, Northern, Eastern and Gosiute.  Eastern took the customs of the plains Indians.  The were driven south  by other tribes and the Comanche in Texas may have been Shoshone.  The Northern and Eastern peoples livied in tipis (teepees) which could be easily taken down like a tent.  This allowed them to follow the animals they hunted, such as buffalo.  The Northern Shoshone would also sustain themselves with salmon which the caught in nets or baskets.  A camp could be torn down in an hour and ready to move.  The used dog pulled travois.  However the Western Shoshone made lodges out of grass.  These were more permanent and harder to move.  They relied more on eating roots, pine nuts and seeds.  They would hunt smaller game such as deer or rabbit.  

This video introduced me to a new game, Shinny ball.  This game is most similar to field hockey.  It is played with sticks made from willow, which are heated and bent to make like a hockey stick.  

This movie has many pictures of Shoshone people, but they are not labeled.  It talks of the different tribes being lead by a chairman, and their having their own governments.  It talks about many conflicts and wars--especially the Bear River Massacre which saw the largest loss of life in Shoshone history.  

The Witness: A documentary about Kitty Genovese (2015)

The Witness is a fascinating story.  It tells a story that has haunted America for half a century.  Kitty is the woman who was murdered in New York in 1964, reportedly as 64 people heard her screams and watched the murder but did nothing.  She has been the study of sociology books, what motivates us to act?  The brother of Kitty, who was 16 at the time of her murder, tells the family story and takes another look at the report behind this case.
The brother found out that the report of 38 witnesses was rather arbitrary.  Police however did interview 38 people.  Some heard a scream, some heard a scream and got up (it was 3 in the morning), looked out the window, didn't see or hear anything more, and went back to bed.  One man yelled down to  the perpetrator, get out of here, and he fled.  Initially Kitty was stabbed twice.  She had dropped to her knees, and struggled to her feet.  She then went around the corner and into a stairwell of her apartment.  The people then could not see her.  The perpetrator returned, and attacked her again.  He raped her and stabbed her more times.  She screamed, and on of her neighbors came to her aid after the deed had been done, when she realized what was happening.  Kitty, although mortally wounded, did not die alone, but in the arms of a friend.  In many regards the story is different than reported.  In fact, some of the witnesses said they called police.  However, the police did not respond.  They thought it was the  result of bar room shenanigans as there was a bar close by.  Even her  roommate (lover) was not awoken by the screams, and didn't know anything until the police woke her up.  She was called upon to identify the body.  This movie shows this story from many more angles that what had been represented, and the subject of many books and articles.  It is a story about mass media failure.  Many witnesses felt they were misquoted, and so stopped talking to the media.  There was not a 9-11 system at the time, and the few who called were not taken seriously.  there was only one recorded call from the night.  
One of the things this movie presents is the effect the murder had on people; the effect on the two families.  The genovese family was really torn, and coped by not talking about Kitty.  Bill, who is the narrator and teller of the story, joined the Marines, served in Viet Nam and there lost his legs.  Other siblings had their own struggles to put the events behind them.  Bill even interviewed the murderer's son, and then the effect on his family, wife and two children, was manifested.
Very good film which combats many misconceptions I had of these events.  They have an actress act out the screams, which was very eerie and brought the night home.

Movie Review: Island of Lemurs: Madagascar

This is a look at lemurs.  On thing I didn't know, lemur only live on Madagascar.  The evolved in Africa, traveled to Madagascar, and all those left behind somehow passed away.  Morgan Freeman narrates this tail of an interesting animal.  They are so cute the way they hop.  This movie is presented by Warner Brothers and IMAX.  This movie follows the work of Patricia Wright.  The Lemur is endangered due to excessive land clearing.  Fire is the most common tool to clear land, and these fires often burn out of control.  There is a process of reeducating farmers about the dangers of their indiscriminate burns. 
This is a good educational movie, and talks of practical things being done to help the lemur.   It is available only in IMAX theaters.

Documentary Review: Civil War Journal: Stonewall Jackson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcxSZMhT7Ek
This is an intriguing documentary about Stonewall Jackson.  This video portrays him as an eccentric, rigid man, with a genius streak which would serve him well in battle.  He was perseverant.  He had had only a minimal education when he went to West Point.  His initial year he was at the bottom of the class.  However, by the time he graduated, he was in the upper third.  He distinguished himself in the Mexican War, rising to the top of his class. 
He then took a position at VMI.  As a lecturer he was a failure, having to memorize his lectures and give them verbatim.  However he was a very good professor or artillery.  Many of his students were convinced he was a hard teacher, but if there were war they would want to follow him.  Some of Jackson's oddities including eating food he didn't like, which he felt would benefit him, feeling his body was off balance, so sometimes holding his hand over his head trying to regain his balance.  He was also a religious, and very strict in his observance. 
Jackson earned the name Stonewall at the Battle of Bull Run.  However it was the campaign of the Shenandoah Valley were he earned his fame.  His men would march excessive miles, and then be ready to battle.  He defeated three armies, who had almost four times his number of total men.  He used his knowledge of the land, the screen of the mountains and the movement of his own troops.  Jackson also always gave credit to God. 
This short film goes from the Valley to Chancellorsville.  This is likely one of Lee and Jackson's greatest victories.  However friendly fire, and pneumonia took Jackson's life.  "Let us cross over the river, and rest in the shade of the trees."  Jackson lead the way. 
Jackson's death leads to the what if question, which still is dominant today.  It was a blow to the Confederate morale.

Movie Review: Encounters at the End of the World (Werner Herzog)

Encounters at the End of the World: Go Someplace Cool; A Werner Herzog Film, Discovery Films, 2008.
There are two disks with this this movie.  I put in the second first by accident.  It was a boring interview.  I realized my mistake and put in the second, which presented a story of Antarctica.  I was hoping to see strange sea animals, like a Jacque Cousteau movie.  And I wasn't disappointed, there was some of that.  The divers had to drill, and then blast a hole in the iceberg they were on, and under the iceberg was a new world.  No there wasn't a lot of wildlife, but what there was was beautiful.  There were clams, and creatures that looked like the developed to open clam shells, and a strange light under the ice.  It was pretty cool. 
Thee were even one cell creatures, which seemed to have intelligence, and attracted elements to itself, which would then become a part of the whole.  People were studying the DNA looking for the foundations of life.
The looked at penguins, and the penguin scientist would not confirm that there were homosexual penguins, he did confirm that sometimes penguins go off kilter.  Sometime they go the wrong direction, and no matter what you do, you can't turn them around.  They wonder into the mountains and die. 
This was also a study of the people that go to Antarctica.  What would drive a person to go to the end of the world.  Of course some go for the science, but others are just drawn to travel, or to adventure, and leave their careers to take up something else so as to travel that far south.
There was a neat look at a volcano, with a molten lake.  I guess it is one of three in the world, but the other two, due to political reasons, aren't really open to research, while this one is.  Research there can be scary at times, because it spits molten lave from time to time.

Documentary Review: Korea: The Forgotten War

Korea: The Forgotten War, Lou Reda Production 1987, rereleased The History Channel
Robert Stack provides the narration for this documentary which uses news releases and news footage, narration, pictures and maps to tell the story of the Korean War.  This war started when North Korea invaded South Korea. The North Korean forces almost conquered the entire country.  The United Nations authorized a police action to push North Korea back.    This was done with some great difficulty, and a flanking sea landing at Inchon which many felt could not be done because of the harbor being effected by tides.  However it was accomplished, and tides changes with the U.N. forces pushing the Koreans back until almost the entire peninsula was conquered.  Douglas MacArthur made a critical error in judgement, thinking the Chinese would not enter the war as was rumored; but entered they did, and the U.N. forces were driven back and many surrounded.  Only in an heroic march were they able to get out.  This included the onset of winter.  The 10th corp was evacuated by sea, and then moved to form a defensive line. 
After this the U.N. forces made some progress, but eventually both sides were stalled.  From 1951 to 1954 little progress was made either was.   An armistice treaty created a temporary peace which has lasted since the 1854.  It established a Demilitarized Zone along the 38th parallel.  This police action cost over 35,000 American lives, but total deaths were over one million.

Documentary Movie Review: The Hunt for Lincoln's Assassin

"The Hunt for Lincoln's Assassin" is a made-for-TV movie by National Geographic reenacted documentary for the hunt for John Wilkes Booth.  The methods used our interview with historians and authors, including one who wrote the biography of John Wilkes Booth.  It also employs a few pictures, but for the most part it employs historical reenactment with narration.  Booth was not captured until a couple of weeks after the assassination.  He likely would have gotten away, but his ability to travel quickly was hampered by his broken leg which he suffered when he jump from Lincoln's booth to the stage of Ford's theater. They escaped from Washington D.C. into Maryland, before authorities could seal off the city.  Booth's escape then took him to the home of Dr. Mudd, who determined his leg was broken and put it in a splint and also provided crutches.  He traveled with David Herald.
Secretary of War Edwin Stanton lead the search for Booth.  He offered 100,000 reward to those helping in his capture.  He also appointed detective Colonel to Lafayette Baker to the lead the pursuit.  Everton Conger lead a party of 25 men who headed the investigation and pursuit. 
This documentary points out the mood of the country as a result of the assassination was one of revenge against southerners.  Many were killed or persecuted in the pursuit, and as well as a result of a general feeling of animosity.
Booth was able to finally make it into Virginia.  This was on their second attempt.  The first attempt the became confused in the fog and ended up landing again in Maryland.
A report in error of Booth and Herald crossing the Potomac, but Conger and his men on the right track.  The report was actually a witness of someone other than Booth crossing the river, but even so, as Booth had in facgt crossed, it put them within three miles of Booth.
Booth and Herald were lead by returning Confederate soldiers to the Garrett farm.   They hid out there for several days, but when federal soldiers went by, and Booth hid in the forest the family determined something as not right.  They insisted they leave, but granted them one for night, insisting the sleep in the tobacco barn.  Conger heard of these soldiers, and was determined to interview on of them, Willie Jett.  Jett was able to guide them to the Garrett farm.  It was in this barn that Conger and his men found Booth.  Booth's traveling companion was allowed to come out and was captured.  Booth refused to leave the barn.  They set fire to his barn, and being able to see Booth in the flames, Sergeant Boston Corbett shot through the cracks between the barn plank, hitting Booth in the neck.  His spinal cord was severed, and he was paralyzed.  The soldiers brought him out of the barn, and he succumbed a couple hours later.  

Movie Review: Apocalypse: The Second World War: The Noose

Russia stalled again in their attacks of Russia.  This time the were unable to capture Leningrad nor Stalingrad, and Moscow was still just a dream.  The Nazis continued to make progress in Stalingrad.  The crept slowly, inch by inch through they city.  They tried to get the Russians with flame throwers.  While the Germans were struggling the Russians were planning to take the offensive.  With stepped up manufacturing, recruitment of a million man, and supplies getting through the German submarines by use of American convoys, Russia was prepared.
While the Germans fought towards Stalingrad, their flanks were covered by third parties.  To the North they were covered by Italians.  To the south by soldiers from captured countries Romania and Bulgaria.  The Russians planned to attack  both flanks, and envelope the Germans.  That is what they did.  Hitler ordered the Germans to stay and fight at all costs, no not retreat.  He did not want to admit that Germany was not the right thing to do.  However his troops were in a hopeless situation, and more were killed.  It was said a soldier died every seven seconds during this time. 
At the same time, Montgomery was finally able to stop Rommel's advance in Egypt at El ALamein.  This was the fist victory the British has in the war against the Germans.  It also marke  change in the war, as Germany went from the offensive to the defensive. 
The Americans, and French invaded French Morocco.  They were fighting the French Vichy troops.  It took a coupe of days for General De Gaulle to convince the French government in Morocco to change sides.  The Allies had a strong hold in Africa from which to launch attacks against Algeria and Libya.
This lead to the German army taking the last remaining territory in southern France which they had not conquered. This was an area where many Jews had fled, and now they were at the mercy of the Germans.  Many were hid by French families.
Hitler hoped to capture the French fleet.  However, most of the boats were scuttled.  The French did not know if they should give them to the Allies or the Germans, so in the end destroyed their own fleet.
The Germans thought they had a chance for counterattack in Russia.  The Russians had pushed too far forward in Kursk.  Even though the Russians had more tanks, the Germans had the Tiger tank with better armor and a bigger gun.  This is the largest armored battle in history to that time.  However the Russians had an advantage the Germans weren't aware of.  The British had cracked the German codes, and the attack and plans where known to the Russians.  This allowed for the implementation of defense, which proved the deciding factor of he battle.  The Germans did not achieve their objectives. 
The Allies also started a new front in Italy, in Cicily.  The Italian people ousted Mussolini, and decided to change sides in the war.  However, Germany rescued Mussolini from his imprisonment, and then conquered Italy, to restore Mussolini to his dictatorship.  The German hopes now lay on their defending the European coast from invasion.  They had to repel any invasion back into the sea within 24 hours.  Coastal defenses were placed form Norway to Spain.

Movie Review: Apacalypse: WWII: World Ablaze

This movie starts with the entry of the United States into the war.  This happened with Pearl Harbor.  The Japanese, although making peace gestures to the United States, had for some time planned to take the offensive in attacking Hawaii, in an effort to extend their power and control throughout the Pacific.  The needed space, and resources to extend their war machine.  They hoped a quick strike would give them the upper hand in the Pacific.  However, their efforts missed the aircraft carriers, while inflicting most of its damage against the battle ships. 
Japan's first strike was completely successful.  However they did not follow up with a second attack, which would have crippled the U.S. fleet.  As it was it was only bloodied. 
Before the next major battle, the U.S. had cracked the Japanese secret code, and new what the Japanese were planning.  The hoped to take Midway to be able to control from the air much of the area.  As they approached, the U.S. carriers were waiting.  Although the first wave of U.S. torpedo boats failed to make any strikes, they paved the way for the dive bombers, who proved more successful.  So with a fallen American, watching from the water, the Japanese carriers were decimated.  Following the battle, the Japanese still had naval superiority, but the odds were evened.  The Japanese also attempted to construct to construct an air base on Guadalcanal.  This lead to an allied response and invasion of the island, with subsequent Japanese reinforcements.  This lead to a long battle both at sea, in terms of controlling the ability to reinforce; and on land.  Eventually the Allies gained superiority and the Japanese were forced to evacuate.
This movie also presented the war in Europe, particularly in Russia.  After being driven back the previous winter, the German forces made another advance towards Stalingrad and Moscow.  This was known as Black Summer.  Again Russia employed a scorched earth policy.  But overall the Germans were able to pursue their march towards the Russian populated areas.  However the Germans split their force, trying to conquer Stalingrad for it industrial importance, and the Caucasus for oil.  This proved to be a bit too much to accomplish, and lead to stalemate. 

Apocalypse: The Second World War: Shock

This is the third of six documentary presentations in this series.  These episodes use colorized original footage with narration.  This episode documents the fall of Paris.  It then continues to describe the Battle of Britain.  Germany was anxious for more space, more resources.  As they could not extend through Britain, the direction took was to attack the Soviet Union, an ally.  However, Russia had been an ally of convenience.  They had split Poland, but in this case, the reason for doing this was to keep the Russians closer, so the would be available to be attacked.  The Russians were surprised by the turn of the Germans.  They had heard rumors, but did not believe them.  The result of this surprise is the Germans were able to destroy most of the Russian Air Force while it was still on the ground.  Without air support, the Russians were vulnerable.
Of course the invasion of Russia was not easy.  Russia has much more space, and greater distances, resulting in longer supply lines.  Stalin at first hid himself, but then developed a strategy, a scorched earth strategy.  Fall back, but don't leave anything for the Germans.  This policy kept taking its toll, and there was stiff resistance at the major cities.
The Germans bogged down 30 miles short of Moscow.  A pincer counterattack by the Russians.  drove them back 300 miles before winter set in.

Movie Review: Apocalypse: The Second World War: Crushing Defeat

This movie continues the world war documentary which was originally produced in France using colorized original footage.  It was presented in the U.S. first by The National Geographic Channel.  This second episode takes us through the conquering of Poland, and the destruction of the French army.  The result of the fall of Poland was the creation of Jewish slums in most major cities where the Jews were required to live.  In many communities, such as Warsaw, these were surrounded by fences and food was not allowed into the slums.  I guess the first tactic was hope everyone would starve to death.
The fall of France was very interesting, and admittedly was a strategic success for the Germans.  The French expected the Germans to attack through Belgium as they had done in the first World War.  These was the area least defended.  The French had constructed a very lard defensive barrier which stopped at Belgium, who as a neutral country would not allow it.  Also to attack elsewhere the Germans would have to get through the thick forest Ardennes.
Hitler made an initial move like he was attacking through Belgium, and allowed the French to push him back, and thus exposing their flank.  The major thrust of his attack came through the Ardennes.  They were able to overcome the defenses which were less than adequately manned.  The French and British forces were facing being surrounded.  The British commanded that their expeditionary force be evacuated.  Every vessel available in England was sent to evacuate their forces, as well as French forces.  While other French forces were left to defend Dunkirk, thus becoming an expendable rear guard.
The German forces also had the luxury of  air superiority.  They used their planes to stop fleeing refugees, as well as control supply.  They also used them to attack vessels that were fleeing to England.  Some were sunk, but most did survive.
I had always thought from talk radio that the French did not but up much of a fight.  However it was the force at Dunkirk that allowed many to escape.  As a result of the Battle for France over 100,000 French soldiers killed.  Over a million soldiers were captured, and would rot in German POW camps for the next five years.
This episode shows how the British attacked a French fleet, now under control of the French Vichy government which was a puppet German government.   The reason Churchill would send his force against a former ally was to prevent their being used for a cross channel invasion of England. 
The Battle of Britain began then with Hitler trying to win the battle from the air.  The Royal Air Force was devastated.  The lost almost 500 planes and were about at their end.  However the Nazis lost 1000.  Hitler decided to change tactics, and bomb the British cities into submission.  Although this was tragic, the British citizens made bomb shelters in their gardens, or slept in the subways, but still went to work the next day.  The children where sent away.  Had Hitler continued his fight against the British Air Force, we would have defeated them.  However, in focusing on the cities, he gave the air force a chance to regroup.

Apocalypse: WWII: Aggression

This first part of this six-part series of WWII explains the start of the war and the early moves.  It uses original footage which has been colorized.  It was presented by National Geographic Channel.
In the first part of the series the rise of Hitler to power in the early 1930s is presented.  He was able to use the discontent of the German people to rise to power, first by coup and then by official election. 
Hitler, from the beginning had designs on expansion; as well as designs on minorities, Jews, gypsies, gays etc.  Austria was annexed.  The expansion began in Czechoslovakia where Hitler negotiated a treaty with France and England (Neville Chamberlain) and gained a German populated section, Sudetenland.  Chamberlain thought he had accomplished peace in  his time.  He was wrong. 
Through strong arming the Czech government, and threatening annihilation with his plains, he is able to negotiate a peace which gave him the entire country. 
This movie also presents the invasion of Poland.  At first the invasion was to recover a strip of land which was taken from Germany at the end of WWI.  Hitler plays a risk, thinking England and France will again turn the other way.  However, as a result of this invasion, both England and France declare war against Germany.  This gave Hitler is excuse to go after these countries. 
Germany was dependent on iron ore from Sweden.  They had to protect the supply route, and at one point England had broken this, but as war was declared, the resources needed to block the route called south to defend France.
It may not have made a difference, but indifference, and not accepting the threat was what it was, would have devastating consequences. 

Documentary Movie Review: The Brothers Warner

The Brothers Warner a film by Cass Warner Sterling, The Warner Sisters, 2008.

Talk about your functional dysfunctional family.  These brothers, Harry, Albert, Sam, Jack, started small.  Because of their Jewish heritage, (Warner is not their birth name) they found it difficult to get an education, so they went to work.  They eventually fell upon a movie theater and showing films.  However, they had difficulty getting new films, so started making some of their own, with a ware house and a sheet for a backdrop.  They started during the time of silent films, but pioneered talking movies.  A real break-through for them was the movie Jazz Singer with Al Jolsen.  This was the first film with talking and music.  It actually had synchronized talking and lip movement for the first time.  However, the success of this film was marred by the unexpected death of Sam, who had been the biggest promoter of sound, and had basically worked himself to death on the project. 

The other three had long careers in theater, however at times they had squabbles with each other, and sometimes would not talk to each other, but still they provided creative and innovative movies.  They took a lead in trying to confront Nazism, and publicize the concentration camps (before they were acknowledged by the government.)  The were suppressed in several attempts.  They were able to produce a couple of movies based on actual cases of Nazi spying.  However when the war did involve the U.S. they were given greater leeway.  Casa Blanca was a Warner Brothers film.  It won the best picture.  Jack accepted for the family, because he got to the microphone first, even though he was not as involved in this film as his brothers.

One of the more interesting aspects of the studio was how Jack took control.  He convinced his brothers to sell, while making plans to rebuy the studio.  After they all sold, he rebought the studio after only one day, and basically took over operations as president while kicking his brothers out.  Of course his brothers were financially secure, but they always felt wronged. 

Communication was strained even more than previous, and they all passed away eventually without resolving their conflict.

This move was made by Cass Warner Sterling, who is the granddaughter of Harry Warner.

Documentary Review: Design for Peace; Victory at Sea

This is the last of 26 episodes produced by NBC.  This episode was first released in 1953.  This episode starts with the introduction of a new age.  First the detonation of an atomic bomb in New Mexico, and then the two in Japan.  At that point the emperor for Japan announced to his people that they were going to stop fighting the war to avoid the annihilation of the Japanese people. This was August 14, 1945. 
The formal surrender took place aboard the USS Missouri on September 2 1945.  Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigimitsu signed the surrender instrument for the emperor of Japan.  General Douglas MacArthur signed the document for allied powers, and Admiral Chester Nimitz for the U.S. 
Before showing pictures of the victory celebration, the documentary showed scenes from the horror of war,I am sure using shots from the previous episodes in the documentary series.  Finally there were images of celebration around the world presented.

Documentary Review: Target Suribachi: Victory at Sea

This presentation in this series deals with one of the hardest confrontations the Marines had in WWII, the Battle of Iwo Jima.  At one time there were more Marines involved in this confrontation than any prior historical point.  Even so, this was one of the toughest fights of the war.  The Japanese were in numbers on the island, and they had catacombs throughout the island, and would rather die than surrender.  This made for a very difficult opponent.

However the island of Iwo Jima was key in saving lives later in the war.  Although Iwo Jima never became a regular base in the attacks on Tokyo, it was an emergency landing site, and was often used.  It is said this saved the lives of over 20,000 airmen.  

This is the only battle where the U.S. Marines sufferred more casualties than their enemy.  Over 26,000 total casualties and over 6000 dead.  On the other hand the Japanese had a force of 20,000 on the island, and only a bit more than 1000 survived the battle.  

The raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi is engrained in our minds by the photo taken by Joe Rosenthal.

Documentary Review: * No End In Sight: Iraq's Descent Into Chaos

This documentary is about the occupation of Iraq after it was conquered.  The film makes the point that the conquest was too fast to allow those who would follow up could get organized.  I must admit, I did not enjoy this movie.  It just seemed like a bunch of whiners complaining about anything they could think of, and a lot of back chair quarterbacking going on.  I am sure Iraq is much better with out Saddam and his sons.  I guess some wanted the force to be twice as big, and to do more to stop looting.  I could not get to the end.  However, I must agree, the destruction of the national library, museum and archives was tragic.

Documentary Review: Our Spirits Don't Speak English: Indian Boarding School

I am familiar with the Boarding School program.  Growing up, Brigham City, where Intermoutain Indian School was located was just over the mountain, and we would often drive by, when traveling to Salt Lake City.  I also went there to scout a game as Weldon's team played them one year.  I also traveled there during Junior High to compete in track and field there.  It was there that the discuss got away from someone on our team, and struck someone in the head. 
Indian schools started in the 1800s.  First with missionary schools.  Later with Bureau of Indian Affairs schools.  The goal of the school was not necessarily to educate and nurture; but to assimilate.  "Kill the Indian and save the man."  Often, student came very young to school, and would spend the entire school year away from home, only returning to their people in the summer.  Every person who came to the schools had to deal with an onslaught on their traditional way of life.  At times they were given American names.  They were punished if they used their native languages.  In fact, cases of abuse, physical, emotional and sexual have been documented. If without abuse, the experience was very traumatic.   The high point of Indian school usage was in the early 1970s.  In 1973 there were 63,000 students at Indian schools.  Most Indian students are now educated close to home.  Many Native Americans live in urban settings.  Sometimes tribes have their own schools.  As of 2007 there were less than 10,000 students.
A for Intermountain Indian School it opened in 1950 for Navajo students.  Because of deceased enrollment, in 1974 it was opened to other tribes, and had people from over 100 different tribes attend before closing for good in 1984. 

Documentary Review: Black Indians: An American Story (2001)

Having lived in Eastern Utah, the story of their being Black Indians is not knew to me.  There were some among the Ute population who had mixed blood.  However, this story shows much more prevalence of this population than I was aware.  This movie also talks about racism against this population.  The Native American part of the ancestry was often just ignored because of this.  They also talk about the racism based on the color of one's skin, and the gradation of the color.  Much of the low representation is that often and individual would identify as one race or the other, based on what advantage this may be to his family.