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Post by VeeVee on May 9, 2007 8:23:04 GMT -5
Did anyone see the show Span-Am War in the history channel last night? I was able to tape it but haven't seen it yet except for bits and pieces. There were some Spanish/Cuban soldier reenactors. There were sequences shot aboard the real USS Olympia (here in Philadelphia). I don't know yet how much they devoted to the Philippine campaign. It's showing again this Saturday, May 12th at 4pm. www.history.com/shows.do?action=detail&episodeId=221527
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Post by legionnaire on May 9, 2007 9:11:27 GMT -5
I saw it last night and was thinking of taping it. They showed a very well portrayal of Aguinaldo speaking in tagalog! And a few moment s about the Philippines. But mostly about cuba. They mentioned the length and the cost of the war with the Filipinos. But never mentioned that there was a Philippine revolutionary government and not a "insurgency". I wonder if they will ever do one on the Philippine American war. Philip
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Post by VeeVee on May 15, 2007 11:53:52 GMT -5
This was posted in another forum by a well-researched reenactor/historian who goes by Crazydima. I thought his comments about the documentary are interesting and an added knowledge to our forum so I'm posting it here.
---------------------------- Amigos,
I watched all but the last 30 minutes of it so my post is based upon what I have seen.
Well.....................it was a far cry from how it was sold to us re-enactors by NFL Productions in the teleconference calls we had prior to shooting. I will elaborate on this later.
However, before going any further I must say that my fellow Span-Am re-enactors did a darn fine job by being sure to show folks what proper Spanish and Cuban forces hold look like. Too often in the past the Spanish and Cuban forces have been absent from such productions. My hats off to you for your effort because folks do not realize that you have to scratch build your kits instead of getting them from vendors like the US forces. You guys did a great job!!!! Indy, you will be missed by many! God rest your soul! Perhaps you and Ron are enjoying trading jokes up there with the big guy.
Having said that I need to let folks know that NFL Productions sold this to the participating re-enactors in a different angle. NFL told us it was going to be a chance to take part in a documentary which was going to tell all sides of the story(Spanish, Cuban, American) and really give folks a feel or what the war was about and how it affected people. I won't even go into the mess that NFL Productions created regarding their initial stance not to pay re-enactors.
Unfortunately, it tended to be more of a rehash of what other programs have already covered. This show left out a lot of really neat and important details or glossed over them. At times it seemed that the documentary focused way too much on the Rough Riders and Buffalo Soldiers when so many other troops were also involved and played vital roles in the War.
If this had been a show of only an hour length then I would not be as hard as I am. But since it is a 3 hour show then I tend to expect a little more out of it. I am an avid student of the War and my field of study focuses on the Spanish Overseas Army(Ejercito Ultramar).
A lot of important background information was omitted which would help to explain how and why certain things happened. These omissions would have taken very little time to put into the work and some of the actor shots could have been reduced.
Some things to note which were not covered very well or not at all: US citizens had been sending arms and equipment to the Libertados for decades to help them. Americans had been traveling to Cuba since the 1850's to fight along side of the Cubans against the Spanish.
Due to Spanish military pressure the Libertados were very short on ammo and had to rely more on the machete, spear and knives than the rifle to win battles.
The construction of the "Trocha" system to help restrict the movements of the Mambis was an awesome feat of work.
At the time of the War Spain was virtually bankrupt and had not been able to upgrade the defenses of any of the island garrisons of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines etc. Spanish troop morale was low and soldiers did not want to go to Cuba or the Philippines to fight the rebels.
The civilians of Cuba were poorly treated by both the Spanish Forces and the Libertados.
US forces outnumbered the Spanish forces at San Juan/Kettle Hill and at El Caney at a ratio of 15:1 but still it took hours to take the positions. Spanish forces at those positions retreated more due to low ammunition after firing on the US forces for extended periods of time, arrival of the gatling guns and failure of reinforcements to arrive from Santiago than the charge.
The Krag Rifle and Trapdoor Rifle used by U.S. forces were obsolete before the war started and were no match for the Mausers used by the Spanish. Spain used smokeless powder while the U.S. did not.
The town/village of El Caney did not have reinforced concrete fortifications(despite what the documentary showed). The defenders converted the houses and buildings into fortified positions through the use of Loop holes and digging out the floors. Barbed wire was heavily used by the Spanish. The Spanish garrison was nearly wiped out.
Parker's gatling guns played a pivotal part in the battle for Kettle and San Juan Hills and almost didn't make it to Cuba if it were not for creative work on the part of Parker.
General Nelson Miles(Civil War Vet) wanted to invade Puerto Rico first for several reasons: 1. The troops on that island were not battle hardened vets and would be easier to overcome. 2. Give the U.S. a chance to practice an amphibious operation under better conditions.
The fight for the Philippines was a little more involved than the show indicated. Look up the siege of Baler and you will appreciate some of the fascinating things which took place.
Did they cover the fact that up until a couple of years ago all of us were still paying a tax on our phone bills to pay for the Spanish-American War? I figure that may have been in the last 30 minutes.
There is a lot more but this should give you an idea of what I am talking about. All of this and more could have been part of the 3 hour show. *******************************************************
I am sorry to go on like that but I figure that the folks at NFL Productions could have done better considering the resources they have at their disposal and how long they have had to assemble it.
Overall it was a decent production and is much better than other productions which have preceded it. It could have been much better.
Again, the Re-enactors did a great job and should get credit for their time and effort in Tampa!
Viva Espana!
Adios!
Con Respecto,
Roberto aka Dima (a little disappointed)
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infante5
New Member
Regto de Infanter?a INFANTE n?5, "EL AUGUSTO"
Posts: 11
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Post by infante5 on Aug 5, 2009 11:19:11 GMT -5
Hello VeeVee, have yoi idea if that documentry is availlble to download anywhere??
thnks
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Post by VeeVee on Aug 5, 2009 15:35:20 GMT -5
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Post by insurrectomad on Aug 12, 2009 9:42:02 GMT -5
Just seen this message having now returned to London from Manila. I hope i can obtain a DVD copy also. It seems that the NFL company wished to play safe and stick to the familiar bits of American Folklore and highlight their known heroes. Their is a long history of war films and documentaries showing narrow slanted pro-American depictions of events. WW2 both in Europe and the Pacific has been portrayed as exclusive American victories with scant reference to the Eastern front taken by the Russian combined forces or the successful British Imperial forces led by Field Marshal Slim (Australian), that drove out the Japs from Burma, Malaya & Borneo. If only the Philippine film directors would take the plunge and make a film of the Phil/US War seen from the Phil. side! Dubbed into English, I'm sure it could be shown in America; if only on the History channel. Alas even they would prefer fictional legends to reality; the "Tirad Pass" film for example! The other one that I recall was the famous "Soldiers Prayer" Written and spoken by the kings favourite general, The Earl of Northampton at the first battle of the English Civil War, was spoken in the Movie by Richard Harris, playing the part of Oliver Cromwell the leader of the Roundheads (Repubican Army) in the film called "Cromwell". The Prayer which is still written in the book of every soldier of the British Army.
O lord, Thou knowest how busy I shall be this day, If I forget thee, I pray Ye do not for a moment, forget me!
Edgehill was a very bloody battle exhausting both sides with neither gaining victory. The Earl perished in the midst of the fighting hand to hand, push of pikes.
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