Hiawatha
Film Details
Synopsis
Years after Gitche Manito proclaims that a prophet will come to unite the Indian warriors, Hiawatha is born to Wenonah and the fickle Mudjekeewis. After Wenonah's death, her mother Nakomis adopts the child, announcing that he is the long-awaited prophet. Iagoo teaches Hiawatha to master the bow and arrow, and after he has slain his first deer, Hiawatha visits the arrow-maker across the lake. Smitten by the old man's daughter Minnehaha, Hiawatha soon marries her, and they live together happily until famine strikes the village. Following Minnehaha's death and burial, Iagoo announces the arrival of white men and tall ships. Hiawatha then greets the pale-faced Black Robe and proclaims that the real prophet has finally arrived. As the priest begins to preach, Hiawatha disappears into the sunset.
Film Details
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The film was copyrighted under the title Hiawatha; the Indian Passion Play. Although no confirmed release date has been found, evidence indicates that the film was released in 1913. It featured a cast of 150 American Indians from New York, Canada and the Dakotas, and it was filmed in New York State and near Lake Superior. Before producing the film, F. E. Moore directed an open-air production of Hiawatha at parks and private estates throughout the United States. Other films based on Longfellow's poem include a 1903 British production, shot in Canada; a 1909 film produced by Imp; a two-reel Kinemacolor production, made in 1913; and the 1952 Monogram production (see below).
