Bermudian filmmaker Lucinda Spurling has done it again with another great documentary, this time about Bermuda's historical relationship with the United States.

Her third movie 'The Lion and the Mouse' debuted before an audience of friends and sponsors of the movie and at the end of the three-hour film, Ms Spurling was given a standing ovation.

If you love history, particularly Bermuda history, then you are going to love this movie.

The numerous reenactments in the film help to bring a new perspective to well-known periods in the Island's history such as the Gunpowder Plot in 1775 and the landing of the Sea Venture in 1609.

And although some of the connections made between Bermuda and American history are a little tenuous, 'The Lion and the Mouse' is still full of interesting facts and tidbits.

For example, when the Sea Venture passengers were caught up in the storm that brought them to the Island, they expected to die. So they broke open the ship's store of liquor and drank toasts to meeting each other again in a better world.

Another interesting fact: During the War of 1812, Bermuda was the staging area for the British attack on Washington and Baltimore.

It was here, in the summer of 1814, that the British Navy massed ships, 5,000 troops and Royal Marines and then set sail to invade the United States.

Francis Scott Key wrote the 'Star Spangled Banner' as a prisoner on a ship that had recently left Bermuda.

And Bermuda's involvement in American affairs continued into World War II. For example, in June 1944, the German U-boat U505 was captured and towed into Bermuda.

The significance of the capture was that the U-Boat contained an up-to-date enigma machine, code books, and signal equipment.

The U505 was towed to Bermuda to protect the knowledge of the capture from the Germans. Because had they been aware that the Allies had the up-to-date code information, it could have spoiled the Normandy Invasion.

If you like history, the movie is going to send you to the library to learn more about some deliciously interesting events.

'The Lion and the Mouse' not only demonstrated Ms Spurling's talent for filmmaking, but also showcased the talents of many other Bermudians.

Many local historians, writers and financial experts were used to comment on different events in history such as Walton Brown Jr., William Sears Zuill, Dr. Edward Harris and Cheryl Packwood.

Bermudians of all ages took roles in the film, the youngest being Ms Spurling's newborn nephew.

One of the most touching scenes in the movie was about the slave ship Enterprise. In 1835, she was carrying 75 slaves from Virginia, mostly women and children, when she was accidentally blown to Bermuda during a storm.

Bermuda slaves were already emancipated, so the slaves on the ship were given a choice between returning with their master or becoming freed.

In the film, one by one the children stepped forward and told a magistrate they wanted to be free. The performance of Makeda Simmons as child slave Mahalia stood out. This young girl managed to do quite a lot with very few lines.

Although more known locally for his poetry, Allan Smith easily kept up with the film's leading lady Lana (Lisa) Young, a full-time actress.

During the film, Mr. Smith held a cool, slightly bemused grace that seemed straight out of a romantic bodice ripper novel.

The film was well-choreographed and contained interesting footage of civil war battle reenactments, with muskets and cannons blazing.

However, there were a few minor irritating historical anachronisms to the movie, even to the untrained eye.

For example, in a scene that takes place in St. George's in 1775, the Bermuda National Trust palm tree logo is plainly visible on the front of Tucker House. Couldn't that be digitised out in some way?

And at the end of the Sea Venture scene, Mistress Rolfe, (the first wife of John Rolfe who went on to marry Pocahontas), says words to the effect: 'I know I'm not long for the world and I know my husband is going off to 'The New World' to marry an Indian princess'.

This was quite jarring. How would she know that? Is she supposed to be talking from the dead?

Aside from these minor glitches the film was great. It is easy to imagine watching parts of 'The Lion on the Mouse' on the History Channel, or perhaps seeing part of it when visiting a museum.

The film will have its general premiere at the Bermuda International Film Festival tomorrow at 3.45 p.m. at the Southside Cinema. It will be shown several more times during BIFF.

For more information telephone 293-3456, or visit www.bermudafilmfest.com.