This is an episode of the PBS show "Secrets of the Dead"--a somewhat uneven but occasionally brilliant show that traces great lives and events. Using a combinations of historical records, archeology and historical recreations, the show tells stories of people long dead.
I think I enjoyed this show more than many might because much of the show is about Capetown, South Africa--as I'll be visiting this city in just a few months. Hearing the story of the city's slave roots was sad but fascinating--as was the story of the mutiny aboard a slave ship bound from Madagascar back in the 1760s. It seems that a slave named Massavana led a group of these slaves in a semi-successful revolt. I say semi because although they took the ship, ultimately the revolt failed and the participants were mostly lost to time. Mostly, until this series recreated the events and researched for information about this piece of South African history.
The show worked exceptionally well because they really did a great job of making the story VERY compelling--almost haunting. You really can't help but feel touched by the people's plight and it's an incredibly sad part of human history. While I have not seen a huge number of these episodes, of the ones I've seen, this is the best--well worth seeing.
By the way, the actor who they hired to play Massavana was interesting. He looked like a younger and more muscular Danny Glover--seriously.
I think I enjoyed this show more than many might because much of the show is about Capetown, South Africa--as I'll be visiting this city in just a few months. Hearing the story of the city's slave roots was sad but fascinating--as was the story of the mutiny aboard a slave ship bound from Madagascar back in the 1760s. It seems that a slave named Massavana led a group of these slaves in a semi-successful revolt. I say semi because although they took the ship, ultimately the revolt failed and the participants were mostly lost to time. Mostly, until this series recreated the events and researched for information about this piece of South African history.
The show worked exceptionally well because they really did a great job of making the story VERY compelling--almost haunting. You really can't help but feel touched by the people's plight and it's an incredibly sad part of human history. While I have not seen a huge number of these episodes, of the ones I've seen, this is the best--well worth seeing.
By the way, the actor who they hired to play Massavana was interesting. He looked like a younger and more muscular Danny Glover--seriously.
