Ellis Island

Description

For some it was the Isle of Hope. For others, it was the Isle of Tears. For half a century, Ellis Island was America's "golden door," where entrance meant a new life and rejection meant a heartbreaking return to hopelessness. In this A&E Special, we meet an ethnically diverse group of immigrants who recall their extraordinary adventures, from the treacherous passage across the sea to the daunting challenge of starting life over in a new and foreign land. Interviews from the Ellis Island Oral History Project reveal what the immigration experience was actually like, while historians address the island administration's sometimes insensitive and overly expedient policies. Rare photos and film footage are also included.

Runtime

140 min

Subjects

Contributor

Geography

Genre

Date of Publication

[2010], c1997

Database

Films on Demand

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