NORTH DALLAS HIGH SCHOOL
SUMMER LEARNING ASSIGNMENT
AP US HISTORY
Movie Review 1
It is now time for you to be Roger Ebert. You will watch one historical movie on your own from the following two list and write a one – two page (typed) review of the movie. Obviously I have no idea what movies you have seen in your life, but please watch a new movie that you have never seen and try to be critical about the film. Challenge yourself.
Questions to Consider in the Review
Does the movie appear to be accurate?
How well do the actors portray historical figures? (this may require a little bit of research)
Does the setting appear to be accurate or time-period appropriate? (buildings, clothing, etc.)
Would the movie be useful for USH? (Does it have historical value?)
What did you like/dislike about the movie?
What did you learn?
Review should also have a brief synopsis of the movie (background plot) and a description of the historical setting (time and place)
Movie Suggestions
Your movie must be one that is set somewhere between the beginning of American history to the present. Note: This is not a complete list of available movies, but at least they provide a visual history to start off the 2014-14 school year. If you are not sure if a movie is okay, please ask me by e-mailing me at Chherrera@dallasisd.org
. The format of your paper should follow the requirements below.
Please make sure you add a title page and include your parents/guardian’s signature.
Glory
The Last of the Mohicans
Amistad
The Crucible
Gettysburg
Gods and Generals
The Patriot Dances with Wolves
Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier Davy Crockett and the River Pirates
Gangs of New York
The Outlaw Josie Wales
Andersonville
Tombstone
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford 1776
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Stagecoach Far and Away
Cold Mountain
Birth of a Nation
Gone With the Wind
John Wayne western?
Unforgiven
No Pocahontas!
Paper Format
Name of Film
Date Filmed Watched
PARENTS ’ SIGNATUR E
1. What type of motion picture? (War Movie, Comedy, Drama, Historical, etc)
2. List the name of 5 characters in the film and some adjective phrases to describe each.
3. Synopsis of the plot (3-5 sentences)
4. What is the historical event portrayed by the film? Be Specific of the Time Period
5. List 3 basic concepts or ideas that you saw in the film. (e.g. patriotism, civil disobedience, racism, etc)
6. What underlying message(s) does this film contain? Explain.
7. List 5 facts that this motion picture tells you about life in the US during this time period.
8. How does this film deviate from the historical facts or what inaccuracies did you find in the film?

9. How would you rate the movie (1 - Terrible, 10- Outstanding)? Explain why-
Movie Review 2
It is now time for you to be Roger Ebert. You will watch one historical movie on your own from the following two list and write a one – two page (typed) review of the movie. Obviously I have no idea what movies you have seen in your life, but please watch a new movie that you have never seen and try to be critical about the film. Challenge yourself.
Questions to Consider in the Review
Does the movie appear to be accurate?
How well do the actors portray historical figures? (this may require a little bit of research)
Does the setting appear to be accurate or time-period appropriate? (buildings, clothing, etc.)
Would the movie be useful for USH? (Does it have historical value?)
What did you like/dislike about the movie?
What did you learn?
Review should also have a brief synopsis of the movie (background plot) and a description of the historical setting (time and place)
Movie Suggestions
Your movie must be one that is set somewhere between the beginning of American history to the present. Note: This is not a complete list of available movies, but at least they provide a visual history to start off the 2014-14 school year. If you are not sure if a movie is okay, please ask me by e-mailing me at Chherrera@dallasisd.org
. The format of your paper should follow the requirements below.
Please make sure you add a title page and include your parents/guardian’s signature.
All the President’s Men
Schindler’s List
8 Men Out
Good Night, and Good Luck
Flags of Our Fathers
Apollo 13
Bobby
Life is Beautiful
A League of Their Own
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
JFK
Truman
Saving Private Ryan
Patton
Seabiscuit
Letters From Iwo Jima
All Quiet On the Western Front
Sophie’s Choice
Bridge Over River Kwai
Thin Red Line
Tuskegee Airmen
M*A*S*H*
The Untouchables
Lawrence of Arabia
From Here to Eternity
Where Eagles Dare
Memphis Belle
Casablanca
Band of Brothers (miniseries)
The Right Stuff
Paths of Glory
The Big Red One
A Midnight Clear
Tora, Tora, Tora
We Were Soldiers
From the Earth to the Moon (miniseries)
Nixon Frost/Nixon
Paper Format
Name of Film
Date Filmed Watched
PARENTS’ SIGNATURE
1. What type of motion picture? (War Movie, Comedy, Drama, Historical, etc)
2. List the name of 5 characters in the film and some adjective phrases to describe each.
3. Synopsis of the plot (3-5 sentences)
4. What is the historical event portrayed by the film? Be Specific of the Time Period
5. List 3 basic concepts or ideas that you saw in the film. (e.g. patriotism, civil disobedience, racism, etc)
6. What underlying message(s) does this film contain? Explain.

7. List 5 facts that this motion picture tells you about life in the US during this time period.
8. How does this film deviate from the historical facts or what inaccuracies did you find in the film?
9. How would you rate the movie (1 - Terrible, 10- Outstanding)? Explain why-