User Reviews

This is the first of 5 movies describing 300 years long war (1600-1900) between American Indians and white European settlers. That was the longest war in entire history of mankind. The war with a purpose to destroy entire civilizations of indigenous population and to exterminate them like pests. All episodes are so rich, so unexpected, full of unknown historical facts (at least for me, being an European). The systematic genocide on American Indians, which lasted for well over 300 years and almost to the end of 20th century, is very well described and documented with shocking details. This is a must see if you are interested in that part of American history, which was glorified as "How the West Was Won", but in fact was a colonial war and genocide, like no other.

"We Shall Remain" is a five-part series by Ric Burns (Ken's brother) on the history of the American Indians from "The American Experience". However, it should be understood that it is NOT a comprehensive history. There are many gaps, omissions and most tribes are not discussed in the shows. This is simply because with five parts, there just wasn't enough time to do the subject justice.

This first episode is unusual in that it does not begin with the Spanish colonization of America nor the first English colonies (Roanoke and Jamestown) but the Pilgrims and their history with the Wampanoag people. Perhaps this was chosen first because in contrast to these others I mentioned, the Wampanoag were particularly harmless and peace-loving...and were eventually displaced and often killed or sold into slavery by their English allies. It's a very sad tale that begins so positively with the tribe allying themselves with and saving Plymouth colony and ultimately ended with King Philip's War and the destruction of many of these people by the Colonists.

This show is exceptionally well made and explores the history in a complete and fair manner. Worth seeing...and a bit wistful about what might have been.

My main interest,was in section one of this series.The alliance of the Wampanoag Tribe with the Pilgrims for mutual benefit and the years after when it broke down. The territory of this tribe was the area that became th Old Plymouth Colony, South eastern Mass over to Rhode Island. Both the Pilgrims and the Indians benefited.Both were weak at the time.As the years passed the colony got stronger and the Indians lost their home area.Their final defeat was in King Philip's War 1676.. That is episode one.Since we have 5 Pilgrims in the family tree it was very interesting.As far as I can see it is true history.My wife,was interested in the Cherokee segment, as her family settled in a section down south after they were removed to Oklahoma. The other episodes were good but we had no family connection to Geronimo,Tecumseh, or The Last segment of the modern era. i know the history of the two episodes because it is our family history too.I remember when the last episode took place but to be truthful it did not register at the that time. I am not sure that genocide was a deliberate I policy at all times but the effect was certainly genocidal to most of the Indians in their home areas. Their lifestyle was not compatible with an agrarian European way of life.