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American Experience

We Shall Remain: Part III - Trail of Tears

  • Episode aired Apr 27, 2009
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 1h 16m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
113
YOUR RATING
S21.E7
  • S21
  • E7
All episodes
All
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
American Experience (1987)
The American Experience: We Shall Remain: Part Iii-Trail Of Tears
Play trailer1:35
1 Video
5 Photos
  • Documentary
  • Biography
  • History

The Cherokee would call it Nu-No-Du-Na Tlo-Hi-Lu, "The Trail Where They Cried." On May 26, 1838, federal troops forced thousands of Cherokee from their homes in the Southeastern United State... Read allThe Cherokee would call it Nu-No-Du-Na Tlo-Hi-Lu, "The Trail Where They Cried." On May 26, 1838, federal troops forced thousands of Cherokee from their homes in the Southeastern United States, driving them toward Indian Territory in Eastern Oklahoma. More than 4,000 died of disea... Read allThe Cherokee would call it Nu-No-Du-Na Tlo-Hi-Lu, "The Trail Where They Cried." On May 26, 1838, federal troops forced thousands of Cherokee from their homes in the Southeastern United States, driving them toward Indian Territory in Eastern Oklahoma. More than 4,000 died of disease and starvation along the way. For years the Cherokee had resisted removal from their la... Read all

IMDb RATING
8.0/10
113
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Chris Eyre
  • Writer
    • Mark Zwonitzer
  • Stars
    • Jackson Walker
    • Elijah Abdullah
    • Thomas N. Belt
Top credits
  • Director
    • Chris Eyre
  • Writer
    • Mark Zwonitzer
  • Stars
    • Jackson Walker
    • Elijah Abdullah
    • Thomas N. Belt
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
    • 1Critic review
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The American Experience: We Shall Remain: Part Iii-Trail Of Tears
    Trailer 1:35
    The American Experience: We Shall Remain: Part Iii-Trail Of Tears

    Photos

    Will Finley, Wesley French and Freddy Douglas in We Shall Remain: Trail of Tears
    Robin Jumper and Steve Toney in American Experience (1987)
    Ed Dabney and Steve Toney in American Experience (1987)
    Steve Toney in American Experience (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jackson Walker
    Jackson Walker
    • Daniel Rossas Daniel Ross
    Elijah Abdullah
    • Slaveas Slave
    Thomas N. Belt
    • Selfas Self
    Josh Blaylock
    Josh Blaylock
    • Young John Rossas Young John Ross
    Benjamin Bratt
    Benjamin Bratt
    • Narratoras Narrator
    • (voice)
    Carla-Rae
    Carla-Rae
    • Suzanna Ridgeas Suzanna Ridge
    • (as Carla-Rae Holland)
    Cleo Deerinwater
    Kelly Finley
    Kelly Finley
    • Saraas Sara
    William J. Finley
    William J. Finley
    • Elias Boudinotas Elias Boudinot
    • (as Will Finley)
    Ken Foster
    Wesley French
    Wesley French
    • John Ridgeas John Ridge
    Robert Girty
    Aaron Hair
    Andrew Hair
    Jack Harkleroad
    Robert Hatch
    Robert Hatch
    • Missionaryas Missionary
    Mark Hetherington
    • Angry Townspersonas Angry Townsperson
    Tiffany Howcroft
    • Angry Villageras Angry Villager
    • Director
      • Chris Eyre
    • Writer
      • Mark Zwonitzer
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    The Cherokee would call it Nu-No-Du-Na Tlo-Hi-Lu, "The Trail Where They Cried." On May 26, 1838, federal troops forced thousands of Cherokee from their homes in the Southeastern United States, driving them toward Indian Territory in Eastern Oklahoma. More than 4,000 died of disease and starvation along the way. For years the Cherokee had resisted removal from their land in every way they knew. Convinced that white America rejected Native Americans because they were "savages," Cherokee leaders established a republic with a European-style legislature and legal system. Many Cherokee became Christian and adopted westernized education for their children. Their visionary principal chief, John Ross, would even take the Cherokee case to the Supreme Court, where he won a crucial recognition of tribal sovereignty that still resonates. The Supreme Court ruling proved no deterrent to President Andrew Jackson's demands that the Cherokee leave their ancestral lands. A complex debate divided the Cherokee Nation, with Chief Ross urging the Cherokee to stay, and Major Ridge, a respected tribal leader, urging the tribe to move West and rebuild, going so far as to sign a removal treaty himself without the authority to do so. Though in the end the Cherokee embrace of "civilization" and their landmark legal victory proved no match for white land hunger and military power, the Cherokee people were able, with characteristic ingenuity, to build a new life in Oklahoma, far from the land that had sustained them for generations. —We Shall Remain
    • native american
    • cherokee nation
    • american indian
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Documentary
      • Biography
      • History
    • Certificate
      • TV-PG
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    One of the bleakest events in American history....
    "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.

    Episode 3 is about a despicable part of American history, the Trail of Tears. The beginning of the episode shows the Cherokee nation working hard to be good people--and trying to assimilate and get along with the United States. In spite of them living peaceful lives, the people of the states in which the Cherokee nation existed wanted their land...and President Jackson was going to make sure this happened. Even when the Supreme Court said the removal of the Cherokee was unconstitutional, he and the state of Georgia pushed ahead with their removal...pushing the Indians on a forced march in the winter to land in Oklahoma. Many, many of these people died as a result of this horrible march.

    It's rather tough to watch this episode, as this is a very sad moment in history and a sad way to treat anyone...especially law abiding and decent folks. Very well made, like other episodes, and well worth seeing...but also heart-wrenching to watch.
    helpful•2
    0
    • planktonrules
    • Jun 11, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 27, 2009 (United States)
    • Languages
      • Cherokee
      • English
    • Production companies
      • Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
      • WGBH
      • WGBH
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 16 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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