500 Nations (1995)
Santa Barbara Studios

Description

500 Nations is an eight-part documentary that explores the history of the indigenous peoples of North and Central America, from pre-Colombian times through the period of European contact and colonization, to the end of the 19th century and the subjugation of the Plains Indians of North America. 500 Nations utilizes historical texts, eyewitness accounts, pictorial sources and computer graphic reconstructions to explore the magnificent civilizations which flourished prior to contact with Western civilization, and to tell the dramatic and tragic story of the Native American nations' desperate attempts to retain their way of life against overwhelming odds.

Tags

Native Americans

Collected reviews and ratings

9.0 Amazon user reviews

This miniseries is well researched, has excellent graphics, and Kevin Costner does a great job as host. I fell in love with it the first few moments I watched.
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7.0 DVD Town | John J. Puccio

One's appreciation for "500 Nations" will undoubtedly depend upon one's appreciation for history in general and documentaries in particular. Insofar as documentaries go, this one is no better than most in style or construction, but superior to most in substance.
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7.0 New York Times | Walter Goodman

After a long period of neglect and worse, Indian history and legend is being treated on the screen in a positive, not to say adoring, way. No doubt television audiences can still benefit from any show that brings the news that America's Indians did not always live on reservations, and "500 Nations" should get a warm reception in schools.
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