Customer Reviews

When the Forest Ran Red (Ultimate Edition)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A thrilling, vivid history feast--the dark forest, pleas of the wounded, shrieks of the Shawnees, the roar of muskets--"You Are There" as a very young George Washington surrenders at Fort Necessity and Braddock's Army marches to disastrous defeat, when victory seemed at hand.

This gripping, taut drama of the frontier clash of English, French, native Americans, and provincials, is told by a masterful blend of the words of eyewitnesses, military reenactments, modern historians, colonial music, paintings, artifacts, and onsite filming.

The DVD includes several extras, especially detailed comments by historian Paul Kopperman.

Huzzahs to Robert and Mary Matzen, Tom Wilson, their staff, and all participants.

Tom O'Connor, Bowie, MD

This is a special release of the video of the same name (see my review of _When the Forest Ran Red_ VHS). However, this version has about 10 minutes of extra footage. The DVD focuses on the early part of the French and Indian War, most specifically on little-known, but important, Braddock's Defeat. Within this time frame, we follow George Washington and learn of his many mistakes and watch him grow as a leader. We see how Washington gained valuable experience in leadership and warfare that would serve him as leader of the Revolutionary forces. I was also interested to hear of the various native tribes as participants in the war with their own geo-political goals and aspirations and not just as pawns of the British or French.
The presentation is great and the information is interesting and important for an understanding of early American history. There are pictures, reenactments, and comments from scholars and historians. I was happy to see that a British historian was included. I give this documentary my highest recommendation.

THIS MOVIE IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC -- ANYONE INTERESTED IN AMERICAN,COLONIAL, MILITARY, OR BRITISH HISTORY OR IF YOU LOVE A GOOD STORY WELL TOLD--THIS IS A FILM YOU MUST SEE THIS MOVIEW ABOUT BRADDOCK'S DEFEAT AND THE BEGINNING OF BOTH THE FRENCH & INDIAN WAR AND THE CAREER OF YOUNG GEORGE WASHINGTON. (HE WAS JUST 24 YEARS OLD WHEN HIS FORCE WAS DEFEATED AT FORT NECESSITY). I SAW THE VHS VERSION AND NOW THE DVD. I MUST SAY THIS SPECIAL EDITION IS A COLLECTORS ITEM--THE NEW ACTION SCENES, THE DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE AND THE EDUCATION TIPS REALLY m,AKE THIS GREAT FILM EVEN BETTER. I ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF THIS FILM EVEN THOUGH, I SAW THE VHS RELEASE 6 TIMES. THIS IS HISTORY AND FILM MAKING AT IT'S VERY BEST.

I ONLY WISH THAT THEY WILL COME OUT WITH A SEQUEL TO THE FIRST TWO FILMS--THE BATTLE OF QUEBEC WOULD BE A GREAT ADDITION TO THIS GREAT SET.

I thought that this was an excellent documentary.It was clear that the director knew what he was doing.I think that this should be shown in all of the schools because the French & Indian War led to the American Revolution.At least there is a movie for school kids to see.PBS has been talking for a long time about doing an F&I movie but no action so far.I didn't know that Daniel Boone was at Braddock's Defeat.Check this one out.

When the Forest Ran Red gives a look at the spark that started the French & Indian (aka 7 years war) between England & France. Filming was done well, reenactors filled the role very well and the overall scenery was outstanding. Affording a new or more extended view on George Washington and Braddock's Defeat near modern day Pittsburgh showing the old world vs new world fighting tactics that lead to the defeat of Braddock.

Interesting side note around the fact that several future great "personalities" were at the Battle, these included Horatio Gates, Daniel Boone, Dan Morgan and Thomas Gage in addition to Washington.

Minuses: The character that portrayed Washington just did not fill the bill.

This DVD gives a great portrayal of the British campaigns against the French during the French and Indian War. Its well researched and portrayed well.. I show it to my American History classes.. jh

This was definitely more of an educational documentary. Still worth watching and very factual, it covers the French and Indian wars roots. It talks about Fort Necessity and the massacre at Fort DuQuense. I found the PBS documentary "The War the Made America" much more engaging and entertaining. It also covered more ground. Again, this was a good DVD but I would watch the PBS one again before I would watch this one.

I found this video to be highly informative. It was well presented and well acted. The audio and video aspects were first rate and I would highly recommend this film to anyone interested in the early history of the United States.

this is not a dramatic style movie, but none-the-less it is a very enlightening documentary on the French and Indian War in western Colonial America.

I bought this movie thinking it was going to show lots of fighting action between the Indians and early American settlers, but it turned out to be more of a documentary. It was interesting nevertheless because it showed how the Indians manipulated a young continental officer (George Washington) into starting the French and Indian War. To me it is amazing that George Washington never won a battle during the French and Indian War, yet was appointed by the Continental Congress to lead the army during the American Revolution. If you are more interested in history than action, this movie is for you.