I think the film will be success. Some of the Native American stars you may
recognize that participated are Eric Schweig (sp??), Wes Studi, Carlos
Whiteshirt, Floyd Westerman, Buffie St. Marie (sp??) and non-native Peirce
Bronson (aka Remmington Steele). Graham Greene was scheduled to work the
film, but conflicts arose and I don't think he was used.
The movie was filmed in the Richmond - Williamsburg area in Virginia. The
time setting, I think, was around the 1730's. It is the story of the Six
Nations and their contact with the Europeans during the trade period. Along
that line, it also tells of the relationship of 2 Native American brothers,
Joseph Brandt (Eric Schweig), and Aleiaho (sp??) (Carlos Whiteshirt). Brandt
becomes William Johnson's (Brosnon), who is the British leader at that time,
liaison between the British and Six Nations. Aleiaho does not take to kindly
of that and is a little hesitant about the situation. There's more to the
plot, including some of the battles that took place between the Six Nations
and Europeans.
Working on the film was quite an experience. The one important aspect I liked
was that Native Americans were cast to play the Native American roles. There
were Native Americans from this area used, along with others from out of state.
Some of the Tribal representation included Chickahominy, Rappahanock, Mattaponi
, Pamunkey, Seneca, Mohawk, Onondaga, Wampanoag, Cherokee, Haliwa-Saponi and
others I may have missed. Also, some of the cast, a matter of fact, a large
portion of the cast that was used for the filming of The Last of the Mohicans,
was used. Talking to some of them, they were pleased at how well the cast
was treated in filming of The Broken Chain. What they experienced in filming
of The Last of the Mohicans, as far as being treated second class, was not
to pleasant. One example, they were fed different food than what the "stars"
got. Here, everyone ate the same meals as the stars, which was excellent I
might add, and everyone ate in the same area. Hotel stay, the Marriott, was
provided for those who needed it. The filming lasted about 6 weeks. Props
and villages were very authentic. All in all I think it will be a good film.
Can't wait to see it. Liz asked if I would be recognized in the film. My
answer is I doubt it because, me along with the other 30 - 40 guys that were
used as warriors, most of us had to have our heads shaved in a mohawk style.
Sorry about the length of the posting. One note I would like to add. As I
understand it, this is the first of 12 Native American films that the
producer of this film will make. I think Turner Broadcasting has bought the
rights to all 12.
***************************************************************
Troy Adkins J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Phone: (804) 371-3243 Computer Center
Fax: (804) 371-3086 EMAIL: SRADKIT@VCCSCENT.BITNET