Dead of Winter: The Donner Party

What starts out as a voyage to the West in pursuit of the American Dream quickly turns deadly for the Donner party after a series of bad decisions and severe weather. Trapped in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, this group of nearly 80 settlers fell prey to sub-zero temperatures, torrential rainfalls, extreme heat, and ten-foot snow drifts. Punishing storms trapped the party with nearly no food or shelter for 5 months in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Many died, some succumbed to cannibalism to survive, and others delved deeply into their faith while waiting to be rescued. “The Donner Party” explores this exciting journey through a hybrid of first-person narration, remarkable reenactments, expert interviews, CGI, and archival materials.

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  Powers Boothe

  Narrator
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  Darby Hinton

  George Donner
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  Kim Lankford

  Tamsen Donner
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  Darrin Miller

  James Reed
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  Libby Baker

  Margaret Reed
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  David White

  William Eddy
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  Kit Leonard Dennis

  Patrick Breen
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  Bear Fuerst

  Lewis Keseberg
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  Greg Webb

  William Foster
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  Elizabeth Austin

  Commentator (Atmospheric Physicist)