The Puritans

Series: Chronicles of Am. photoplays series

Duration: 1200 ft.

Year Published: 1924

Creator: Yale University Press Film Service

Format: 16mm

Sound: Silent

Description: Adapted from "The fathers of New England," a chronicle written by Charles M. Andrews. When the 15 films in this series are all booked at once the rental is $75. The Jamestown settlement in 1612 of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and life in early New England (1630), with the Court of King Charles II in the background. Traces the rise of dissension within the colony, including the departure for England, the military efforts of capable leadership of Governor Winthrop in successfully bringing the colony through this dual crisis in its affairs

Complete Record: Classic colonial and Indian costumes including the ruffled collars, animal skins, belt and shoe buckles, squared off hats. The Puritans, a group within the loyalists to the King when in England but sought religious freedom and reformation with the church and state. They established themselves well in New England at Charleston, lead by Governor Winthrop. Their community life and work revolved around their religious life. Family goes to a speech by a lawless trading post nearby with Native Americans with mohawks, drunken trappers and hunters, women and general chaos. Back at Charleston we see that the Puritans are going to raid the post and arrest the leader at Merrymount. The guide to Merrymount is of the family in the beginning of the film. His wife is still sick but he is torn because he must lead the army to Merrymount. He leaves another man with his family and goes. The band of puritan men travel through the forest. Back at the trading post, Indians are wrestling with onlookers then the attack. Guns fire and swords are drawn. The army forces Morton to surrender. The Puritans banish him back to England. They remove Morton from the stocks in town square. He stumbles away. The Magistrates of the Puritans question the banishment. The towns people decide that conditions being too harsh, they are going to return to England. In England, the desire by one man to run all of New England is stopped because of the Puritans and the Charter they had from before. He angrily addresses the royalty, magistrates and clergy around him. Morton pleads his case. Saying he was stopped by the Puritans for teaching the bible of the Church of England. Shows Morton teaching the Indians. They buy it and send the Puritans back to Charleston, get the Charter and then bring it back to England to prove they do not have to submit to the new Governor. In Charleston they scramble around and fear that the charter will be revoked. They look at a rolled up scroll that is the charter. The wife of Winthrop cares for it and puts it away. A boat arrives from England with they news that they must return with the Charter and then submit to the new Governor, meaning all loss of their religious independence. Two men discuss outside what they will do. Winthrop must choose to either do what is right for his beliefs or submit to the order. People gather for his talk that evening. Each man addresses the group on the issue. Winthrop makes case for maintaining independence. Another backs him. Another asks if they are willing to defy the king outright. They agree. Women at a spinning wheel and sewing. Men enter and they are now joined by the son of a Nobleman. They consider this a good sign. Roger Williams is voted by the magistrates to be banished back to England for his dissension in their dissension against the King. A warning is sent with an Indian by Winthrop that tells him to leave the colony immediately. He says good-bye to his family, fake snow blows through the door on his way out and his wife collapses. Winthrop is reelected to leadership of the Puritans and surprised he accepts. Official word arrives from the King’s Governor to submit to his and the Kings law. They say they will defy and point out their army to defend themselves. The officials laugh and leave. People in winter gather in the square. The magistrates call a general assembly and Winthrop tells of the news that the Church and State of England is so overwhelmed with other things going on that they have nothing to fear from the Governor in New England. They cheer then they pray thanksgiving. The End..

Metadata Source:Educational Film Guide 1946