Contested Plains is a great movie that tells the story of the captivity of four girls from the German family in September of 1874. The parents, John and Lydia German, along with three children were killed and scalped in an attack by Cheyenne raiders led by Medicine Water. The Cheyenne, who had suffered an increasing number of incursions into their territory, had had enough and were out to protect the territory after not having raided in the area for 2 years. They did, however, strike back after incurring loses at the second battle of Adobe Walls.
A few days after the attack, a military campaign for hostile native raiding parties intensified. The girls, ages 17, 12, 7, and 5 were subjected to exposure, malnutrition, and other abuses by their captors. By November 1874 two of the sisters were recovered near Pampa, TX. The other sisters were returned by March 1875.
What I liked most about this docudrama was the portrayal of the Cheyenne. Using actual Cheyenne actors and having them attired and outfitted with period correct regalia and weapons shows just how committed to reality and accuracy the makers of this film were. It is easy for us to pass judgement on people embroiled in these historic conflicts and this film really adds the human element to things and brings the story to life.
A few days after the attack, a military campaign for hostile native raiding parties intensified. The girls, ages 17, 12, 7, and 5 were subjected to exposure, malnutrition, and other abuses by their captors. By November 1874 two of the sisters were recovered near Pampa, TX. The other sisters were returned by March 1875.
What I liked most about this docudrama was the portrayal of the Cheyenne. Using actual Cheyenne actors and having them attired and outfitted with period correct regalia and weapons shows just how committed to reality and accuracy the makers of this film were. It is easy for us to pass judgement on people embroiled in these historic conflicts and this film really adds the human element to things and brings the story to life.
