Dead of Winter: The Donner Party

Overview

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.

Cast

Powers Boothe

Narrator

Darby Hinton

George Donner

Kim Lankford

Tamsen Donner

Darrin Miller

James Reed

Libby Baker

Margaret Reed

N/A

Danielle Shumard

Virginia Reed

David White

William Eddy

Kit Leonard Dennis

Patrick Breen

Bear Fuerst

Lewis Keseberg

Greg Webb

William Foster

N/A

Alex Barry

Patrick Dolan

N/A

Romi Williams

Patty Reed