The Donner Party (2009)

Based on the real events of The Donner Party tragedy. The Donner Party was a group of California-bound American settlers caught up in the western expansion of the 1840s. After becoming ... See full summary »

Director:

T.J. Martin

Writer:

T.J. Martin

Stars:

Crispin Glover, Clayne Crawford, Michele Santopietro

Cast

Cast overview:
Crispin Glover	...	William Foster
Clayne Crawford	...	William Eddy
Michele Santopietro	...	Amanda McCutchen
Mark Boone Junior	...	Franklin Graves
Christian Kane	...	Charles Stanton
Crispian Belfrage	...	Patrick Dolan
Catherine Black	...	Ann Fosdick
Jamie Anne Allman	...	Eleanor Eddy
Jack Kyle	...	Milt McCutchen
Cary Wayne Moore	...	Jay Fosdick
Alison Haislip	...	Mary Graves
Mara LaFontaine	...	Sarah Foster
John A. Lorenz	...	Luis

Storyline

Based on the real events of The Donner Party tragedy. The Donner Party was a group of California-bound American settlers caught up in the western expansion of the 1840s. After becoming snowbound in the Sierra Nevada during the winter of 1846-1847, a number of the trapped settlers joined together in a final effort to reach California and organize a rescue party.

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Plot Keywords:

donner party | winter | 1840s | sierra nevada mountains | native american | 

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Taglines:

Survival Lies Within

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 October 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Forlorn

Filming Locations:

Donner Pass, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anacapa Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

After the group leaves with Stanton, when Graves attacks Fosdick, Fosdick's hat falls off as they hit the ground. When the camera angle changes, it's back on his head. Then when the camera angle changes again, it's gone.

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Connections

Referenced in Zombies: A Living History (2011)

User Reviews

worth watching

you'll eat it up :-). the cinematographer fit the right mood of this somber yet compelling event.the music fits the mood as well. the cast is very very good. Crispin Glover actually plays the straight role with a few twists here and there.this is the director's first, he succeeds and his future work will be worth watching. according to a review i read on the external reviews, the movie was shot at the Donner Pass. that ramps it up a bit for me and the historical aspect. a very very good attempt at storytelling. since this is the first review published for this movie, i will refrain why i changed my orig vote from 8 to 10.Overall a great attempt at storytelling. not as good as maybe Alive but well worth the viewing considering the grim subject matter.