Background poster of The Donner Party blurred
Poster of The Donner Party

The Donner Party

1992-1h 30min
Star icon accompanying the rating score
6.8 / 10 11

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.

Directed by Ric Burns

Writers Ric Burns

Stars David McCullough J.D. Cannon Timothy Hutton

Videos

Thumbnail of the video: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: The Donner Party Preview

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: The Donner Party Preview

Cast

David McCullough's picture in the cast

David McCullough

Narrator (voice)
J.D. Cannon's picture in the cast

J.D. Cannon

voice
Timothy Hutton's picture in the cast

Timothy Hutton

voice
Gene Jones's picture in the cast

Gene Jones

voice
Amy Madigan's picture in the cast

Amy Madigan

voice
Donal McCann's picture in the cast

Donal McCann

voice
George Plimpton's picture in the cast

George Plimpton

voice
Paul Roebling's picture in the cast

Paul Roebling

voice
Lois Smith's picture in the cast

Lois Smith

voice
Frances Sternhagen's picture in the cast

Frances Sternhagen

voice
Eli Wallach's picture in the cast

Eli Wallach

voice

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