National Geographic: The Great Inca Rebellion

National Geographic: The Great Inca Rebellion

National Geographic: The Great Inca Rebellion
List Price: $19.98
Our Price: $17.99
You Save: $1.99 (10%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $6.72 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases


(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

DVD Cover Information

Actor: National Geographic
Brand: 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

DVD Video
Movies most talked about in History, Politics, Shamanism & Music of Peru
Nacla Report on the Americas ImageNacla Report on the Americas
North Amer Congress Latin Amer; North Amer Congress Latin Amer; Magazine; Magazine
Best price: $36.00
To Be a Worker: Identity and Politics in Peru (Latin America in Translation/En Traduccion/Em Traducao) ImageTo Be a Worker: Identity and Politics in Peru (Latin America in Translation/ En Traduccion/ Em Traducao)
by Jorge Parodi
The University of North Carolina Press; Published: 2000-07-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $22.95
The School of the Americas: Military Training and Political Violence in the Americas (American Encounters/Global Interactions) ImageThe School of the Americas: Military Training and Political Violence in the Americas (American Encounters/ Global Interactions)
Duke University Press; Published: 2004; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $14.00
Price in other shops: $22.95
Latin America: From Colonization to Globalization ImageLatin America: From Colonization to Globalization
by Noam Chomsky, Heinz Dieterich, Denise Glasbeek, Julian Sempill
Ocean Press; Published: 2002-07-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.75
Price in other shops: $12.95
The Fall of Fujimori ImageThe Fall of Fujimori
FALL OF FUJIMORI, THE (DVD MOVIE); Release date: 2006-09-05; DVD
Best price: $16.27
Price in other shops: $24.95
Corrupt Circles: A History of Unbound Graft in Peru (Woodrow Wilson Center Press) ImageCorrupt Circles: A History of Unbound Graft in Peru (Woodrow Wilson Center Press)
by Alfonso W. Quiroz
The Johns Hopkins University Press; Published: 2008-11-21; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $57.98
Price in other shops: $65.00
The Fujimori Legacy: The Rise of Electoral Authoritarianism in Peru ImageThe Fujimori Legacy: The Rise of Electoral Authoritarianism in Peru
Pennsylvania State University Press; Published: 2006-03-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $26.00
Price in other shops: $30.00
The Devil's Gifts in the Andean Cloud Forest of Peru ImageThe Devil's Gifts in the Andean Cloud Forest of Peru
by Derek Thomas
Bright Pen; Published: 2008-01-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.78
Price in other shops: $12.95
Lori: My Daughter, Wrongfully Imprisoned in Peru ImageLori: My Daughter, Wrongfully Imprisoned in Peru
by Rhoda Berenson
Northeastern; Published: 2001-11-29; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.98
Price in other shops: $19.95
Dias de Santiago ImageDias de Santiago
Lions Gate; Release date: 2005-12-06; DVD
Best price: $4.77
Price in other shops: $9.98
Similar DVD Movies
The Dark Ages (The History Channel ) ImageThe Dark Ages (The History Channel )
A&E; Release date: 2007-05-29; DVD
Best price: $10.99
Price in other shops: $24.95
Empires in the Americas: A Journey Back in Time (Lost Treasures of the Ancient World) ImageEmpires in the Americas: A Journey Back in Time (Lost Treasures of the Ancient World)
Release date: 2006-01-31; DVD
Best price: $11.03
Price in other shops: $19.99
Mayans and Aztecs - Ancient Lands of the Americas (Lost Treasures of the Ancient World) ImageMayans and Aztecs - Ancient Lands of the Americas (Lost Treasures of the Ancient World)
Release date: 2006-05-30; DVD
Best price: $10.75
Price in other shops: $19.99
The Last Days of the Incas ImageThe Last Days of the Incas
by Kim MacQuarrie
Simon & Schuster; Published: 2008-06-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops: $16.95
Mystery of the Maya ImageMystery of the Maya
Razor; Release date: 2006-02-28; DVD
Best price: $6.96
Price in other shops: $14.99
Conquest of America (History Channel) ImageConquest of America (History Channel)
Release date: 2005-08-30; DVD
Best price: $12.09
Price in other shops: $29.95
The Incas Remembered ImageThe Incas Remembered
Release date: 2005-08-02; DVD
Best price: $12.75
Price in other shops: $19.95
In Search of History - The Aztec Empire (History Channel) ImageIn Search of History - The Aztec Empire (History Channel)
Release date: 2005-12-27; DVD
Best price: $15.42
Price in other shops: $24.95
NOVA: Secrets of Lost Empires - Inca ImageNOVA: Secrets of Lost Empires - Inca
WGBH BOSTON VIDEO; Release date: 2006-02-28; DVD
Best price: $8.61
Price in other shops: $19.95
In Search of History - Lost City of the Incas (History Channel) ImageIn Search of History - Lost City of the Incas (History Channel)
Release date: 2005-09-27; DVD
Best price: $7.48
Price in other shops: $24.95
Compare prices and read customer reviews for more than one million DVD titles.
Oscar 2005 Winners