The story begins with a dark storm at sea, focusing on the immigrant’s viewpoint. The scene then shifts to a secret religious meeting in England. the emphasis is on the way they feel persecuted because they believe differently than the mainstream. By worshiping as they chose, they are breaking the law.

The narration is taken from William Bradford’s history, interspersed with talking head commentary.

The king is trying to get unity through force of law. Separatists had been hung. The monarch felt the ideologic purity of his realm was being threatened. Some Puritans were imprisoned; others had their houses watched. They sought a place of greater toleration and decided to go to Holland.

They are very social people, trying to build their own community where they can think together and share their lives as they think proper.

Bradford meets Dorothy May in Amsterdam.  The Puritans were not prudish and believed the things, including sex, created by God were intrinsically good if they were used properly. Marriage was a proper way of channeling sexual desire.

Bradford’s business fails and he views his bankruptcy as a correction by God--he was getting too preoccupied with worldly things. Eventually they move to Leiden. They expect that life will be hard. They are led by Pastor John Robinson. They can worship as they choose and not having the fear anymore is wonderful. William Brewster establishes a press and uses writing to try to influence the Church of England.

The idea of going to America begins to take form. They are shown in earnest and passionate discussion. The Pilgrims are repeatedly shown thinking together.

The actors (from the Royal Shakespeare Theater) are very comfortable with the language.

The natives are shown as strong, clean and healthy, living in well-developed and prosperous communities.

Questions:

Are you a member of a group that the mainstream culture doesn’t appreciate? How does that feel? How do you want to respond? How do you respond?
What obstacles have gotten in the way of you getting where you wanted to go? To what do you attribute those obstacles? How did you react?