Into the West 

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 22 wins & 31 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 Thunder Heart 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 Max 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:

jedediah smith character | american indian | native american | abducted by indians | cheyenne territory | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

TV-14

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title of the series is also the title of the Oscar-winning original song by Annie Lennox, Fran Walsh and Howard Shore, which features in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). In that film Sean Astin', who plays 'Martin Jarrett' here, stars as 'Samwise Gamgee'.

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Quotes

Rachel Wheeler: Wait! I'm going with you! There's nothing for us here - nothing for any of us. And we can help with the children.
Jacob Wheeler: Who's we?
Rachel Wheeler: [Naomi and Leah Wheeler come running up to the wagons] Naomi's fiance went and married someone else. She wants to disappear from the face of the earth... we figure that's where you're going.

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Connections

References The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

User Reviews

A Wondrous Journey into the Past and the Future

I have diligently watched this series since the beginning. I have re-watched all the episodes at least twice.

Having some knowledge of Native American history, I have found that again Spielberg has done his homework on both sides of the journey west.

I feel that he has portrayed both sides more than fair and hope that this movie will open the eyes of those who still believe in the stereo typed "Indian, Pioneer, and Mountain Man. I hope that this movie again will make people understand what happens to "Nations" when there is prejudice and ignorance.

I found some inconsistencies in some of the issues with the personal lives of Indians, that I am fairly sure are not true. For example men didn't attend the births of their children..This was considered bad luck.

I also felt sometimes that I must of missed something. For example, Naomi was with the wagon train that was attacked by the Cheyenne? Then she was suddenly named "Five Horses." I assume that meant she was bought from those that captured her from the wagon train. This whole episode, though romantic was a bit unrealistic.Women of her age were seldom if ever adopted into any tribe. They were consdered to be "untrainable."

I found the language a bit stilted at times, but, considering that a lot of these actors are from other tribes, I think they did exceptionally well.

I have waited since Dances with Wolves for a good, honest portrayal of Native Americans...I finally got it...Thank you to all involved!

Mitakuye Oyasin

'Hanble Omani Winyan

Details

Official Sites:

Spielberg Films TNT

Country:

USA

Language:

English Sioux

Release Date:

10 June 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Into the West

Filming Locations:

Bonanza Creek Ranch - 15 Bonanza Creek Lane, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks Television, Voice Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

552 min (6 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1