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) |
| Production | Raymond Bridgers | Executive Producer |
| Production | Laura Decludt | Producer |
| Writing | Raymond Bridgers | Writer |
| Production | John C. Joseph | Executive Producer |
| Production | Adam Freeman | Executive Producer |
| Production | Leslie Greif | Executive Producer |
| Production | Joanne Rubino | Production Executive |
| Directing | Doug Glover | Director |
| Crew | Clint Lealos | Cinematography |
| Production | Lauren Frasca | Executive Producer |
| Production | Ben Kahn | Producer |
| Production | Adam Reed | Executive Producer |
| Production | Mayen Ma | Supervising Producer |
| Production | Fern Champion | Casting |
| Art | Bernadette Stewart | Set Decoration |
| Costume & Make-Up | Lauren Oppelt | Costume Design |
| Production | Erika Wadler | Development Manager |
| Art | Narbeh Nazarian | Production Design |
| Production | John Kalning | Production Supervisor |
| Directing | Josh Brandli | Second Assistant Director |
| Costume & Make-Up | Jennifer M. Quinteros | Makeup Department Head |
| Directing | Ben Kahn | First Assistant Director |
| Sound | Laurence A. Ellis | Supervising Sound Editor |
| Production | Ayelet Bick | Production Manager |
| Production | Sterling Frymer | Unit Production Manager |
