National Geographic: The Great Inca Rebellion
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: National GeographicBrand: Warner Brothers
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 50 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-07-03
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Nat'l Geographic Vid
Movie Reviews of National Geographic: The Great Inca Rebellion
Movie Review: More forensics than history
Summary: 3 Stars
I found it odd that the title of this program is "The Great Inca Rebellion," as at least half of it, and maybe more, focuses on a detailed analysis of several human skeletons found in a makeshift graveyard outside of Lima, Peru. (The discussion is very thorough, e.g. Were these people shot? Were they killed with steel weapons, or stone? How exactly did they die? etc.) And while the bones may very well be those of some Inca that took part in the Siege of Lima in 1536, analyzing them and trying to determine how the people were killed is not quite telling the story of the rebellion itself.
When the program did get around to telling that story, I was more than a little disappointed. Reason? It treats the fact that the Spaniards had help from local natives in their struggle against the Inca as if this is some new revelation. While it is true that Spanish chroniclers failed to mention it, the idea that the Spanish had help has long been assumed by serious historians. In fact, in a book I own ("The Conquistadors" by Hammond Innes, published in 1969) the author addresses this exact situation: "...and though Spanish accounts make no reference to Indian allies there is little doubt that, like Cortes (facing the Aztecs), Pizarro took pains to augment his small force with local levies."
Furthermore, the program fails to mention that the Inca empire had recently endured a civil war, and there was plenty of animosity still present between the various regions of the 3000-mile kingdom (think North vs. South). In short, the Inca empire was fragmented and there were many factions within it willing to fight each other. The Spaniards realized this and used it to their advantage when trying to subdue their enemies, including during the Great Rebellion of 1536.
However, the program isn't all bad, and when it reveals that one of the skulls was determined to have a gunshot wound, it became interesting, as it is considered to be the earliest documented gunshot wound in the Americas.
Still, I have to caution against the history as presented here. While it is accurate in its conclusion that the Spaniards had Indian help, the portrayal in this program that no one knew about it until now is seriously stretching the truth. The Spanish chroniclers may not have mentioned it at the time, but it has already been assumed for the past several decades, if not longer. Three stars.
Summary of National Geographic: The Great Inca Rebellion
History reports that the mighty Inca were swiftly wiped out by a small band of Conquistadors. But, new evidence is being unearthed that may help re-write history. Remains of those who died in battle have been discovered, and for the first time physical evidence is suggesting that Spain's conquest of the Incan Empire may have actually taken twenty years. Brought to life through CGI reconstruction and reenactments, the untold epic saga of decades of guerilla warfare and rebellion are finally revealed as National Geographic uncovers the truth behind the Inca's last stand.Documentary DVD Video
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