The True Story of the Pilgrims

Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower

Nov 17, 2006 Mary Trotter Kion

This is a review of "Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower," a History Channel © production.

Most Americans are familiar with the story of the Pilgrims and the Mayflower and tend to associate both with the first celebration of Thanksgiving when Pilgrims and Indians ate turkey together. But there is so much more to this epic adventure than that.

In The History Channel's © upcoming production of Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower," that will air on Sunday, November 19 at 8pm ET/PT, the well researched story of the Pilgrims,eventually, coming to America comes alive.

"Desperate Crossing" is more than a documentary, although it is that. This three-hour adventure into America's past comes off more as an expertly produced and directed historical adventure movie. The added commentary by noted historians and members of the present-day Wampanoag tribe serves to enlighten and clarify the true sequence of events and stressful situations encountered by both the Pilgrims the native inhabitants of the New World.

The meticulous research behind this production, which includes William Bradford's first-hand account, Of Plymouth Plantation, John Robinson's sermons and letters, as well as Mourt's Relations, allows a true reenactment of the story. This, combined with authentically reproduced costumes and other artifacts, draws the viewer, often spellbound, into the story. If one had very little interest in early American history prior to viewing "Desperate Crossing" this production will surely prove to spark more than just a passing interest into the true nature of America's beginnings.

Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower" rightly shatters the myth of a group of people, assumed to be garbed in somber costumes, coming to early America and joyfully planting corn and having nothing but friendly love for the native population. It brings to light the incidents of the Pilgrims digging up Indian graves and stealing their stored corn. But what it also shows is that the Pilgrims were fleeing their old and well-known homeland because they were being persecuted due to their religious beliefs. What they found on America's shores was a desolate, winter-draped, land so foreign to them it was beyond belief. They were merely men and women who were bound to survive by any means possible.

I urge all of you to view this film, with your children, when it airs on Sunday, November 19 at 8pm ET/PT on The History Channel ©.