US Expansion: Oregon Country (1977)

Director
Producer	Coronet Instructional Films
Contributors	Content consultant: Earl Pomeroy (University of Oregon) Classroom consultant: Stephen F. Handran (North Eugene Highschool)
Length	13 min
B&W/Color	Color
UO Library Catalog description:	Describes the Lewis and Clark expedition, travel on the Oregon trail, and early pioneer life in Oregon
Call #	Mb52 1977
Genre	Instructional
Rare	YES
Online	NO
Copyright status	Copyrighted
Physical condition	Fair
Oregon-related	YES

Notes:

We have the first edition of this film, which was made in 1956.  I screened this film with the eye to compare it to the first edition and see what alterations were made in the production of the second.

 

The film begins with Oregon coastline where “the great forests of the NorthWest meet the Pacific Ocean,” which is different from the first edition.  But it quickly transitions to 1840’s and pioneers on the Oregon Trail.  Like first edition, it transitions to the beginning of 19^th century when Oregon was disputed land. New images and footage of nature/wildlife and reenactments of pioneers are introduced within the narrative.  Original footage from the first edition is included.  The script is altered, yet very similar.

 

The film continues on the same trajectory as the first edition with the Lewis and Clark Expedition and trading in the Oregon country.  I noticed that this film detailed the pioneers and their hardships and so humanized them more than the first edition’s rendering.

 

I was also surprised to find that there was even less mention of Native Americans and their history in the second edition, made in 1977, than the first edition which was made in 1956.