How the West Was Won (1978– )

The Macahans, a family from Virginia headed by Zeb Macahan, travel across the country to pioneer a new land and a new home in the American West.

Stars:

James Arness, Fionnula Flanagan, Bruce Boxleitner

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
James Arness	...	Zeb Macahan (24 episodes, 1978-1979)
Fionnula Flanagan	...	Molly Culhane (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Bruce Boxleitner	...	Luke Macahan (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Kathryn Holcomb	...	Laura Macahan (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
William Kirby Cullen	...	Josh Macahan (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Vicki Schreck	...	Jessie Macahan (12 episodes, 1978-1979)

Storyline

Zeb Macahan takes in his orphaned nieces and nephews after their parents are killed and raises them with the help of their aunt Molly Culhane. The kids are Luke, Laura, Josh and Jessie. Oldest brother Luke is a fugitive from the law accused of murder. He deserted the Army after killing three men in self-defense and must find a way to prove his innocence. The show deals with Indians, nature, and other expected problems of frontier life.

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Plot Keywords:

fugitive | native american | 1860s | based on film | tv mini series | 

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Genres:

Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 1979 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

La conquista del oeste

Filming Locations:

Coronado National Forest, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

MGM Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (25 episodes) 60 min (20 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Luke and Josh Macahan were called Seth and Jed in the pilot.

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Connections

Follows How the West Was Won (1977)

User Reviews

Two thumbs way way up!!!!

I agree with everyone else, excellent show. Considering some of the crap that they put on DVD, I am very disappointed that this mini-series is not available.

Best Mini-Series of all time in my opinion. I saw it 20 years ago and would buy it in a second if it came out on DVD. I just hope it wouldn't be like watching Billy Jack 15 years later. Oh....my....God, did I really think that was good the first time around? I was only a teenager when I first watched "The West" but my parents and my brothers all really enjoyed it too. We all thought it depicted the west how it really was, not as one of those phony westerns that are common to the big screen.