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American Experience: The Donner Party: A Film by Ric Burns DVD

$19.98
Item #: WB0142
Trapped in the Sierra Nevadas during the bitter winter of 1846, nearly 90 members of the Donner and Reed families longed for California's "Promised Land." But an untried shortcut became a death warrant for half of them?victims of madness, death, and cannibalism. The program re-creates the Donner Party's journey from family journals, newspaper accounts, and interviews with historians and descendants.
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Trapped in the Sierra Nevadas during the bitter winter of 1846, nearly 90 members of the Donner and Reed families longed for California's "Promised Land." But an untried shortcut became a death warrant for half of them?victims of madness, death, and cannibalism. The program re-creates the Donner Party's journey from family journals, newspaper accounts, and interviews with historians and descendants.

Producer: Lisa Ades, Ric Burns
Executive Producer: Mark Samels
Production Company: Steeplechase Films
Production Year: 1992
Copyright Year: 1992
Rating: TV-PG
Narrator: David McCullough
Actors: J.D. Cannon, Timothy Hutton, Gene Jones, Amy Madigan
Writers: Ric Burns
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 90 minutes

6 Reviews
P
Peter
Verified Buyer
4.0 star rating
01/16/24
The Donner Party
Review by Peter on 01/16/24 review stating The Donner Party
Good presentation. The producer did a good job of providing video while most of the presentation was audio.
J
Justin
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
02/16/23
Gift
Review by Justin on 02/16/23 review stating Gift
Bought this as a gift for my father, he loved it!
D
Dr. K.
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
11/23/22
A good illustration of the
Review by Dr. K. on 11/23/22 review stating A good illustration of the
A good illustration of the courageous party and their maladventures.
J
Jerry
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
06/16/22
The Donner Party
Review by Jerry on 06/16/22 review stating The Donner Party
A very sad and compelling story sensitively told. Highly recommended.
H
Henry
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
05/24/22
An old favorite of mine
Review by Henry on 05/24/22 review stating An old favorite of mine
And as good as it was when I watch it in school back in the 1990s. The music is especially good, and if you like Ken Burns Civil War, this is in a very similar style.
G
G. N.
Verified Reviewer
5.0 star rating
12/07/21
Superb and chilling documentary
Review by G. N. on 12/07/21 review stating Superb and chilling documentary
Everything about this documentary is first rate, from the cinematography, the narration, the script, the musical score, and the use of historical photos. This documentary was done by Ken Burns' younger brother, Ric Burns, and Ric does a superb job of focusing in on what made the infamous Donner Party such a cautionary tale for other emigrants. The musical score of Dark Spanish Symphony, and the selected musical pieces by Harold Budd enhance a superb production. If you're a fan or student if American history, do yourself a favor and get this DVD!

Highlighted Customer Reviews


Superb and chilling documentary
Review by G. N. review stating Superb and chilling documentary
Everything about this documentary is first rate, from the cinematography, the narration, the script, the musical score, and the use of historical photos. This documentary was done by Ken Burns' younger brother, Ric Burns, and Ric does a superb job of focusing in on what made the infamous Donner Party such a cautionary tale for other emigrants. The musical score of Dark Spanish Symphony, and the selected musical pieces by Harold Budd enhance a superb production. If you're a fan or student if American history, do yourself a favor and get this DVD!
An old favorite of mine
Review by Henry review stating An old favorite of mine
And as good as it was when I watch it in school back in the 1990s. The music is especially good, and if you like Ken Burns Civil War, this is in a very similar style.
The Donner Party
Review by Jerry review stating The Donner Party
A very sad and compelling story sensitively told. Highly recommended.

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