Doomed attempt to get to California in 1846. More than just a riveting tale of death, endurance and survival. The Donner Party's nightmarish journey penetrated to the very heart of the American Dream at a crucial phase of the nation's "manifest destiny." Touching some of the most powerful social, economic and political currents of the time, this extraordinary narrative remains one of the most compelling and enduring episodes to come out of the West.
Direction
Ric Burns turns PBS into existential dread.
Acting
Voice cast makes corpses feel like family.
Editing
Jarring cuts between reenactment and stillness.
Director
Ric Burns
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Timothy Hutton recorded his narration while still processing his father's death, giving his voice an accidental grief.
This premiered the same year as 'Unforgiven' — both dismantle Western myth, but only one had the guts to show you the teeth marks.
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