In July of 1999, sixteenth century reenactors from Calderon's Company, Drake's Men, the Men of Menendez, and the Mississippi Valley Educational Programs took part in the filming of the NPS / Venture Productions film: De Soto in America. The 15-20 minute long movie was shot over the course of three days at De Soto National Memorial and the Lake Manatee State Recreation Area. This documentary describing the history of the 1539-1542 expedtion of Hernando de Soto in La Florida is intended to replace Legacy of a Legend, the film that has been playing at the Memorial's Visitor's Center since 1966. The following photos were taken during the course of the production by some of the cast and occasional bystanders.
 
 

The Landing Juan Ortiz The Spaniards Los Indios Wash Day After the Battle of Mabilia The Death of Ortiz The Burial of De Soto Building Boats Production

 

I wish....this is a video capture clip of a scene from some of the stock footage used in the film.  This scene comes from an National Park Service documentary  I that  belive was entitled, Voyage of Discovery.  That production, known as the "Puerto Rico" film in 16th century reenactment cirlces was shot in the early 1990's for the Columbus 500th Aniversary.  Ron Custer and Brad Spear appear in both films thus lending some minor continuity to De Soto in America.  Since our film came out I've seen this same footage crop up in a number of History Channel type shows.

Hernando de Soto in America* is now available on VHS video tape.  Order from the Eastern National Bookstore.

*De Soto in America or DeSoto in America was the original working title.
 

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