Dead of Winter: The Donner Party (2015)
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.
Director: Doug Glover
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Powers Boothe as Narrator |
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Darby Hinton as George Donner |
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Kim Lankford as Tamsen Donner |
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Darrin Miller as James Reed |
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Libby Baker as Margaret Reed |
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Danielle Shumard as Virginia Reed |
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David White as William Eddy |
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Kit Leonard Dennis as Patrick Breen |
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Bear Fuerst as Lewis Keseberg |
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Greg Webb as William Foster |
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Alex Barry as Patrick Dolan |
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Romi Williams as Patty Reed |
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Ryan Cole as Charles Stanton |
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Luis Juarez as Luis |
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Sean Kervin as Salvador |
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Calen John Neal as John Snyder |
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Elizabeth Austin as Commentator (Atmospheric Physicist) |
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Gabrielle Burton as Commentator (Author) |
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Ethan Rarick as Commentator (Author) |
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Frank X. Mullen as Commentator (Author) |
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Mark McLaughlin as Commentator (Author) |
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Creek Stewart as Commentator (Survival Expert) |
| Directing | Doug Glover | Director |
| Writing | Raymond Bridgers | Writer |
| Production | Raymond Bridgers | Executive Producer |
| Production | Laura Decludt | Producer |
| Production | Lauren Frasca | Executive Producer |
| Production | Adam Freeman | Executive Producer |
| Production | Leslie Greif | Executive Producer |
| Production | John C. Joseph | Executive Producer |
| Production | Ben Kahn | Producer |
| Production | Mayen Ma | Supervising Producer |
| Production | Adam Reed | Executive Producer |
| Production | Joanne Rubino | Production Executive |
| Production | Erika Wadler | Development Manager |
| Crew | Clint Lealos | Cinematography |
| Production | Fern Champion | Casting |
| Art | Narbeh Nazarian | Production Design |
| Art | Bernadette Stewart | Set Decoration |
| Costume & Make-Up | Lauren Oppelt | Costume Design |
| Costume & Make-Up | Jennifer M. Quinteros | Makeup Department Head |
| Production | Ayelet Bick | Production Manager |
| Production | Sterling Frymer | Unit Production Manager |
| Production | John Kalning | Production Supervisor |
| Directing | Ben Kahn | First Assistant Director |
| Directing | Josh Brandli | Second Assistant Director |
| Sound | Laurence A. Ellis | Supervising Sound Editor |
