Into the West (2005– )

Tales from the American West in the 19th century, told from the perspective of two families, one of white settlers and one of Native Americans.

Stars:

Joseph M. Marshall, Irene Bedard, Gil Birmingham

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 9 wins & 25 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Joseph M. Marshall	...	Old Indian (6 episodes, 2005)
Irene Bedard	...	Margaret Light Shines Wheeler (4 episodes, 2005)
Gil Birmingham	...	Older Dog Star (4 episodes, 2005)
John Terry	...	Older Jacob Wheeler (4 episodes, 2005)
Ricardo Andres	...	Artillery Major (4 episodes, 2005)
Tonantzin Carmelo	...	Thunder Heart Woman (3 episodes, 2005)
Tyler Christopher	...	Jacob Wheeler Jr. (3 episodes, 2005)
Rachael Leigh Cook	...	Clara Wheeler (3 episodes, 2005)
Zahn McClarnon	...	Running Fox (3 episodes, 2005)
Sheila Tousey	...	Older Thunderheart Woman (3 episodes, 2005)
Russell Means	...	Older Running Fox (3 episodes, 2005)
Matthew Settle	...	Jacob Wheeler (3 episodes, 2005)
Michael Spears	...	Dog Star (3 episodes, 2005)
Skeet Ulrich	...	Jethro Wheeler (3 episodes, 2005)
Raoul Trujillo	...	Red Cloud (3 episodes, 2005)
David Midthunder	...	White Crow (3 episodes, 2005)
Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse	...	Sleeping Bear (3 episodes, 2005)
Tinsel Korey	...	Bluebird (3 episodes, 2005)
Daniel Gillies	...	Ethan Biggs (2 episodes, 2005)
George Leach	...	Loved by The Buffalo (2 episodes, 2005)
Warren Kole	...	Robert Wheeler (2 episodes, 2005)
Eric Schweig	...	Sitting Bull (2 episodes, 2005)
Jonathan Scarfe	...	General George Armstrong Custer (2 episodes, 2005)
Christian Kane	...	Abe Wheeler (2 episodes, 2005)
Eddie Spears	...	Older Red Lance (2 episodes, 2005)
Tatanka Means	...	Crazy Horse (2 episodes, 2005)
Sage Galesi	...	Margaret Light Shines (2 episodes, 2005)
Joshua Kalef	...	Ezra (2 episodes, 2005)
Serge Houde	...	Enoch Wheeler (2 episodes, 2005)
Maureen Thomas	...	Margaret Wheeler (2 episodes, 2005)
Samuel Patrick Chu	...	Jacob Wheeler Jr. (2 episodes, 2005)
Benjamin Smoke	...	Abraham High Wolf (2 episodes, 2005)
Morris Birdyellowhead	...	Good Shield (2 episodes, 2005)
Summer Rae Birdyellowhead	...	Margaret Light Shines Wheeler, 8 yrs (2 episodes, 2005)

Storyline

An epic tale of two figures during the American colonization of the west, one white and the other Native American. Jacob Wheeler leaves his dull life behind to strike out west, while Loved By the Buffalo faces his destiny to try to fight a prophecy that his people will be wiped out by the settlers. Jacob marries Loved By the Buffalo's sister Thunder Heart Woman, uniting the two families while around them relations between the two races crumble.

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Plot Keywords:

native american | settler | epic | wild west | shot with a bow and arrow | 

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Genres:

Western | Adventure | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Spielberg Films TNT

Country:

USA

Language:

English Sioux

Release Date:

10 June 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

In den Westen

Filming Locations:

Drumheller, Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks Television, Voice Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

552 min 552 min (6 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Jethro Wheeler: I've always been envious of you brother. You always had that spark, that sense of adventure. I always wished I could be like that... Like you.
Jacob Wheeler: You are like me Jethro.
Jethro Wheeler: That's the nicest thing you could say to me.

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Connections

Featured in The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards (2006)

User Reviews

Great entertainment

My husband and I have really enjoyed the two episodes that have aired so far and we are eagerly anticipating the remaining episodes. This mini series is both entertaining and educational. I can only imagine the effort that was spent to recreate the look and feel of that period in time. The use of the native American language adds realism. Can you imagine how unrealistic it would look if all the native Americans spoke fluent English? This movie does a great job of depicting the journey west as something both exciting and extremely dangerous. I noticed in the comments section that some viewers find certain plot scenes unrealistic. You have to realize that the settlers were ordinary people with no special training regarding how to survive out west, therefore they succumb to drowning, diseases, and yes, getting run over by a wagon.

I also thought the casting was well done in this movie. I enjoyed watching Keri Russell, Matthew Settle, Jay Tavare, and the rest of the cast. At times the movie is moving at such a fast pace that I got the impression scenes were left out in order to fit into the time slot allowed. I hope a DVD will be released so we may see some extra scenes. I would highly recommend this movie to families or anyone who enjoys great entertainment.