The Donner Party

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.

Director: Ric Burns

Cast

David McCullough

Narrator (voice)

J.D. Cannon

voice

Timothy Hutton

voice

Gene Jones

voice

Amy Madigan

voice

Donal McCann

voice

George Plimpton

voice

Paul Roebling

voice