"Into the West" is an amazing story, that anyone who calls themselves an American should see. This mini-series shows a heart-felt perspective of American History that no high school text book could possibly explain. The way they tell these unprecedented events through generations of two families, and the joys and tragedies that they endure keeps you glued to the screen every second. You have no idea how excited my mom and I were when we found out that EVERY episode would be two hours long!! We expected the first one to be two hours to reel you into the story, and then the rest would be an hour. But an hour each week just wouldn't be long enough to explore all of the different aspects of these people's journeys. And the cast is absolutely spectacular, especially Matthew Settle and Tonantzin Carmelo. The love they have for each other seems to make everything else in this tale a little more bearable. I'm going to stop now, because I could go on for hours and hours about this series if you let me. Steven Spielberg, you ROCK!!!
83 Reviews
Great Series and Good Performances
lorimarla15 June 2005
I've been watching this series since it began, and it really gives both sides of the picture. The performances of Native American actors, especially Irene Bedard (Pocahontas' voice) are solid. The other characters are significant but less impressive. The locations are scenic, and the camera work is sharp as well.
I would recommend as a supplement a recent book, "Making the White Man's Indian: Native Americnas and Hollywood Movies." The book covers 100 years of Indians in the movies and gives many behind-the-scenes stories. If you're interested in the subject and like movies about Native Americans, watch the series and check out this book.
I would recommend as a supplement a recent book, "Making the White Man's Indian: Native Americnas and Hollywood Movies." The book covers 100 years of Indians in the movies and gives many behind-the-scenes stories. If you're interested in the subject and like movies about Native Americans, watch the series and check out this book.
How to win a west, in six easy episodes
flingebunt27 December 2005
To tell the story of the "West" you have to cover a period as long as the life of one man, but no one person ever experienced everything. Instead this mini series tells the story of a family. Some reviews have said two families, one The Wheelers, Wheelrights from West Virginia and the Lokato Indians, but they are related marriage.
The problem with telling the story of the West is that most of time it was grueling hardship, and not exciting action. What was recorded in people's letters and journals were these simple hard facts of life, while the myth makers, story tellers and newsmen made the west something it never was.
So since "Dances with Wolves" historical westerns tend towards the slower pace of life of the time. Of course this is accompanied by sweeping panoramic camera shots and a stirring sound track.
It starts by telling the story in two ways, one from the point of view of "The White Man" and other in terms of dreams and mysticism of the Indian people. But it doesn't go behind the facade of Indian story telling methodology or stay true to that methodology.
It all adds up to slightly disappointing tale, yet one that manages for maybe the first time I know of, to personalize much of the story that made up "The West". From the trail blazers, to the cover wagons of the first settlers, to Californian gold rush, building the railroad, and of course the Indian wars and massacres.
This is perhaps a goal so high, that if the film makers failed to hit their mark, the achievement is still of note.
The problem with telling the story of the West is that most of time it was grueling hardship, and not exciting action. What was recorded in people's letters and journals were these simple hard facts of life, while the myth makers, story tellers and newsmen made the west something it never was.
So since "Dances with Wolves" historical westerns tend towards the slower pace of life of the time. Of course this is accompanied by sweeping panoramic camera shots and a stirring sound track.
It starts by telling the story in two ways, one from the point of view of "The White Man" and other in terms of dreams and mysticism of the Indian people. But it doesn't go behind the facade of Indian story telling methodology or stay true to that methodology.
It all adds up to slightly disappointing tale, yet one that manages for maybe the first time I know of, to personalize much of the story that made up "The West". From the trail blazers, to the cover wagons of the first settlers, to Californian gold rush, building the railroad, and of course the Indian wars and massacres.
This is perhaps a goal so high, that if the film makers failed to hit their mark, the achievement is still of note.
Scalping was commonplace and honorable
njordbloodaxe-122 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
It's interesting to read the comments about the show for me, since I was in charge of props for it. I disagree with the Native storyteller I'm afraid. Lately (within the last few years) some Native people and apologists claim that scalping was introduced by the whites. True, bounties were paid for scalps during the French & Indian War, and to a smaller extent, during the Revolution, but I'm afraid that scalping was already well known among Native peoples well before the whites were here. It was proof of a warrior's bravery, he gained some of the power of his enemy and the act was looked on with reverence. I don't see why this is looked on as such a horrifying thing anyway. Of course, by our standards, it's barbaric, but it wasn't so to many cultures in their own times. The Celts even collected enemy heads, for much the same motivation as our Native people took scalps. Frontiersmen also took Indian scalps for exactly the same reason. Any cursory glance at any book on Native Americans will show you decorated and honored scalps. Please be aware that the series contains 2 scalp dances, and one dance with some of the hands of Custer's men. This was taken from several pictographs and descriptions by participants. These things would not have been put in without extensive research.
A Wondrous Journey into the Past and the Future
wanbliwinyan16 July 2005
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
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
Into The West
lmittelstadt23 July 2005
I thought this was a excellent series.For those who want to degrade it should take the time to research Indian Affairs .There corrupt policy from day 1.With the full support of the U.S.Government that simply made treaties with the Native Americans to disregard,break,or flat out lie about the content and sent military forces to support corrupt Indian Agents, land barrens, speculators for the railroads.
We stole their land and made promises that were never going to be kept and they knew it(the government). The final Episode Ghost Dance and the massacre at Wounded Knee was so intense it made me ashamed to know that we could do this and be proud of ourselves.I have been to Wounded Knee it is a very sad place and now this series makes it more realistic as to what happened there.These were innocent people they slaughtered!
We stole their land and made promises that were never going to be kept and they knew it(the government). The final Episode Ghost Dance and the massacre at Wounded Knee was so intense it made me ashamed to know that we could do this and be proud of ourselves.I have been to Wounded Knee it is a very sad place and now this series makes it more realistic as to what happened there.These were innocent people they slaughtered!
Great entertainment
ltbchow21 June 2005
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.
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.
The next best mini series that I ever saw
edwardo23 July 2005
I just finished seeing the final installment of the mini series "Into The West", and I was quite taken with the Indian nation was treated as a whole. As in any mini series, there will always be some fiction, but now I have a new appreciation for the way the Indian nations were treated as a people. My wife is part Cherokee, and a mixture of everything else, but my heart went out to the Lakota people, and to the entire Indian nation for the way they were treated by the white race. These were a race of very simple people, who just wanted to be left alone, but progress and greed got in their way, and this mini series made me sick that we could do this to any human being. I wish I could turn back the hands of time, because I would fight on their side against my own people, simply because these are probably the only honest people in this country. The one thing that did come out of this series is the dishonesty of our own government, we make an agreement, then we break it because it serves a purpose.
Into the West
dkdavis3013 June 2005
First of all, my husband & I loved the show. We thought it was great!!! I'm really looking forward to the upcoming episodes. I'm even spreading the word to people I work with to get them interested in it!
Second, it's just that...it's a show! It's made for TV & ratings. Although, they do a great job of trying to hold true to most parts of history, they can't hold true to everything and expect EVERYONE to enjoy it. You're always going to have people over analyze things & pick out the problem areas but truth be told, it's a great show & well made!
Last, maybe this gives you a better idea of just how much I enjoyed it.... I don't even care for western/Indian type movies/shows but I did this one. It's nice to see shows these days that aren't filled with profanity & sex but rather attempt to follow a life that some of us never knew. Seriously, at the end of the day, it was a "feel good" type of show & one I'm glad I took the time to watch!
Second, it's just that...it's a show! It's made for TV & ratings. Although, they do a great job of trying to hold true to most parts of history, they can't hold true to everything and expect EVERYONE to enjoy it. You're always going to have people over analyze things & pick out the problem areas but truth be told, it's a great show & well made!
Last, maybe this gives you a better idea of just how much I enjoyed it.... I don't even care for western/Indian type movies/shows but I did this one. It's nice to see shows these days that aren't filled with profanity & sex but rather attempt to follow a life that some of us never knew. Seriously, at the end of the day, it was a "feel good" type of show & one I'm glad I took the time to watch!
Some good, some uneven
SnoopyStyle27 September 2013
This is 6 part min-series, 90 minutes each episode. This is a large scale production for a TV mini-series made by DreamWorks for TNT. It follows mainly 2 families in the 19th century as the wild west gets conquered.
One family is the Wheelers. They are wheel makers. Some of the family set out to go west seeking fortune and adventure. The other is a Native American family struggling to fight, survive, and adapt to the invading white world.
The production is big but sometimes just not big enough. The first lead Matthew Settle as Jacob Wheeler is just too weak of an actor. The native American actors were generally good. The ever changing characters do not allow for an easy even flow. This is especially true when different actors are used to portray the same character at different ages.
The stories are compelling, but the disjointed nature of the stories do disrupt its flow. Overall they make for some good single movies, but not as much as a single storyline.
One family is the Wheelers. They are wheel makers. Some of the family set out to go west seeking fortune and adventure. The other is a Native American family struggling to fight, survive, and adapt to the invading white world.
The production is big but sometimes just not big enough. The first lead Matthew Settle as Jacob Wheeler is just too weak of an actor. The native American actors were generally good. The ever changing characters do not allow for an easy even flow. This is especially true when different actors are used to portray the same character at different ages.
The stories are compelling, but the disjointed nature of the stories do disrupt its flow. Overall they make for some good single movies, but not as much as a single storyline.
Well Done Show
morningglory0815 June 2005
I watched this not expecting much, and though the start was slow the show really picked up momentum by the second half. Acting was solid, but the storyline is what I think will really be good. I enjoyed the portrayal of both the settler/native side of the story. One thing that really makes the show unique is the use of native language- you hear English, several native languages, Spanish, and so on. That made it feel more authentic. I think that people who are interested in native culture will enjoy it, since it tells things from that point of view, but without being preachy or heavy handed- there are good and bad characters in both cultures. My only complaint is that the main character, Wheeler, is a little wide eyed and borders on corny at times, but hopefully that will get better as the series goes on.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Kev11sky13 June 2005
Watching the episodes of "Into the West" over the past two months has reminded me of a book I read many years ago called "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" by Dee Brown, published in 1971.
I was happy to discover it in my collection of old nonfiction books, and I've been re-reading portions of it as the story develops. There are some interesting differences in the details, but overall I would say that ITW sticks to the historical facts without too much spin on either side.
I recommend the above-named book to anyone who sees "Into the West" and has questions about the events that are shown. Of course, Dee Brown's book is not a full, complete history of the USA vs. Indian wars of the late 19th century -- but it is very well-documented, and it offers many accounts from the viewpoint of the defeated tribes.
In particular, chapters 18 and 19 of her book are well worth reading after seeing Episode Six of ITW -- regarding the "Ghost Dancers" and Sitting Bull, the subjugation of the Plains Indians, and that fateful massacre in December 1890.
A real person named "Black Elk" was an eyewitness to many of the events depicted in ITW. I'd like to think he is the young Lakota character who learned to write at an Indian school, but... that would be fiction.
Years later, Black Elk wrote this: "I did not know then how much was ended. When I look back now from this high hill of my old age, I can still see the butchered women and children lying heaped and scattered all along the crooked gulch as plain as when I saw them with eyes still young. And I can see that something else died there in the bloody mud, and was buried in the blizzard. A people's dream died there. It was a beautiful dream... the nation's hoop is broken and scattered. There is no center any longer, and the sacred tree is dead."
I was happy to discover it in my collection of old nonfiction books, and I've been re-reading portions of it as the story develops. There are some interesting differences in the details, but overall I would say that ITW sticks to the historical facts without too much spin on either side.
I recommend the above-named book to anyone who sees "Into the West" and has questions about the events that are shown. Of course, Dee Brown's book is not a full, complete history of the USA vs. Indian wars of the late 19th century -- but it is very well-documented, and it offers many accounts from the viewpoint of the defeated tribes.
In particular, chapters 18 and 19 of her book are well worth reading after seeing Episode Six of ITW -- regarding the "Ghost Dancers" and Sitting Bull, the subjugation of the Plains Indians, and that fateful massacre in December 1890.
A real person named "Black Elk" was an eyewitness to many of the events depicted in ITW. I'd like to think he is the young Lakota character who learned to write at an Indian school, but... that would be fiction.
Years later, Black Elk wrote this: "I did not know then how much was ended. When I look back now from this high hill of my old age, I can still see the butchered women and children lying heaped and scattered all along the crooked gulch as plain as when I saw them with eyes still young. And I can see that something else died there in the bloody mud, and was buried in the blizzard. A people's dream died there. It was a beautiful dream... the nation's hoop is broken and scattered. There is no center any longer, and the sacred tree is dead."
I voted 6 because....SPOILERS!
abbynormal1234526 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I think the Westward Expansion is one of the greatest feats of humanity ever. This TV series isn't. Lots of scenery, Indians, and a touch of white-guilt. The first week they were doing the "coming up on 'Into the West'..."...then they would show a part we had already seen. Duh. They did it about three times.
It's the third week into it, and so far, I'd have to say....meh.
1- An Indian fires a one-handed shot with a rifle on the back of a moving horse, and actually hits his target.
Ask anyone who has shot anything how hard it is to actually hit something...I mean, if you're going for "accurate depiction"...
2- A cowboy shoots a bison in a herd running by a wagon train (that didn't get trampled, believe it or not) and a girl, upon seeing the carcass of the buffalo indignantly yells; "Why'd you do that?".
I'm pretty sure that there were no animal rights folks in the 1800's. They had been wagon training for months already, and I'm sure even this girl would have loved a steak rather than just a blob of badly churned butter from the bucket hung from the back of the wagon. Which is what wagon trainers often ended up eating. If anything.
3- The plot has a few holes.
a) At the start of the wagon train Jacob remarks their scouts are very unsavory, criminalistic, drunkards, who are probably running from the law. They never even follow up on it. In fact, they turn out to be rather stellar characters, and never a narration about how Jacob was wrong about it. Maybe they cut it.
b) "20 foot drifts blocked the pass....
How do you know? Weather Channel tell ya? 4) It's a bit hard to follow at times, and it expects you to just kind of "keep up" with the age accelerating thing as the time line moves. If you miss the one mention of the character's name (who is now played by a different, older actor) you might spend the next 10 minutes playing mental catch up.
Things like that. I'll watch the whole thing, and I hope it gets better, but I doubt it.
It's the third week into it, and so far, I'd have to say....meh.
1- An Indian fires a one-handed shot with a rifle on the back of a moving horse, and actually hits his target.
Ask anyone who has shot anything how hard it is to actually hit something...I mean, if you're going for "accurate depiction"...
2- A cowboy shoots a bison in a herd running by a wagon train (that didn't get trampled, believe it or not) and a girl, upon seeing the carcass of the buffalo indignantly yells; "Why'd you do that?".
I'm pretty sure that there were no animal rights folks in the 1800's. They had been wagon training for months already, and I'm sure even this girl would have loved a steak rather than just a blob of badly churned butter from the bucket hung from the back of the wagon. Which is what wagon trainers often ended up eating. If anything.
3- The plot has a few holes.
a) At the start of the wagon train Jacob remarks their scouts are very unsavory, criminalistic, drunkards, who are probably running from the law. They never even follow up on it. In fact, they turn out to be rather stellar characters, and never a narration about how Jacob was wrong about it. Maybe they cut it.
b) "20 foot drifts blocked the pass....
How do you know? Weather Channel tell ya? 4) It's a bit hard to follow at times, and it expects you to just kind of "keep up" with the age accelerating thing as the time line moves. If you miss the one mention of the character's name (who is now played by a different, older actor) you might spend the next 10 minutes playing mental catch up.
Things like that. I'll watch the whole thing, and I hope it gets better, but I doubt it.
Stereotypes and clichés
jfoster303513 June 2005
First episode: I'm disappointed. I am a Native American storyteller and interpreter. There are disturbing stereotypes and clichés in the portrayal of the Native people thus far. Example: Fletcher says the scar on his head is from a Native who tried to scalp him. Scalping was introduced in this country by the French and English, who offered bounties for Native women and children's scalps. Later, Thunderheart Woman's family trades her to a white man for goods. NOTHING was or is more important to the Lakota people than family. Children were the precious extension of the people into the future. No Lakota family would have willingly traded their child to a wasicu (white person). I will continue to watch the remaining episodes, but hope that people understand that this is yet another white interpretation of history.
The best film that I have ever seen.
rlm200014 January 2007
I have studied American Natives for some twenty plus years and so far this film hit very close to home. Their (the American Natives) humanity is portrayed more realistically as I have ever seen or read during my research. In it's time, Dances With Wolves had the 'nod' that nod now goes to Into The West.
I bought it and watch it more often than I like to admit. I guess, 16 Emmy nominations says more than I could ever say.
However I would very much like to find the real music /(score) from the film "Into The West" not the CD of the same name. With the same Title and cover design. It's just not quite the same music as was in the film although it is very nice ti listen to.
I bought it and watch it more often than I like to admit. I guess, 16 Emmy nominations says more than I could ever say.
However I would very much like to find the real music /(score) from the film "Into The West" not the CD of the same name. With the same Title and cover design. It's just not quite the same music as was in the film although it is very nice ti listen to.
A Great Mini-Series!
1stbrigade22 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
In the spirit of "North and South" comes "Into the West," an emotionally-charged mini-series that chronicles the migration west, and the effects of manifest destiny on the Indian tribes that saw their lands taken from them by the white man. From the 1820s to 1891, we follow two families: the Wheeler family, who take part in the great migration west; and the family of Loved by the Buffalo, members of the Lakota Sioux Tribe. An amazing cast, brilliant writing, and thrilling cinematography take us back to that time when two great nations clashed, and whose fate would shape the destiny of America for all eternity! Grade: A+
Deep exploration of west as told through eyes of two families
livhampton29 January 2008
"Into The West" is, in my opinion, some of Steven Spielberg's finest work. Watching the series itself stirred up inside of me mixed emotions-- joy, sadness, anger, and so forth. Spielberg did a pretty darn good job in capturing how the West was shaped and more specifically the people who risked their lives in shaping it. I only wish that he would have at least given some small amount of attention to the black cowboys of the West, who played just as significant a role as anyone. Overall it was definitely worth watching, and since I have purchased the DVD I plan on watching it again. I am not sure when or if it will ever be on television again, but if it does, I suggest to anyone who is fed up with repeats of other shows due to the writer's strike to tune in.
Into the West
planb-719 July 2005
After seeing the first 5 episodes of "Into the West" once again I feel not proud to be an American. I truly believe the way the movie portrays how "America" forced their beliefs, yet again, upon another culture not as powerful as themselves, as they are doing to this day. Why do "we" consider our "ways" better than any one else's? I continue to watch week after week and cry through each episode, watching what "we" did to the North American Indians as we did to the African American there after. I become more and more ashamed to be an American, except for the fact that because of my heritage I am ONLY a 2nd generation "American". At least I can sleep at night knowing it was not MY ancestors who had anything to do with the slaughter of the people who originally OWNED this land, nor anything to do with slavery. Also my paternal grandmother is a North American Indian. Nina
Into the West, the truth as seen by Spielberg
malcotoro13 October 2014
When I was a boy in northern England I watched many western movies, fascinated by cowboys and indians. In later life, I collected all of them on video, then replaced them with DVD and BluRay. After watching the historically accurate Spielberg produced Into the West, I sold them all. I came to the realization they were inaccurate
there is only one truth about cowboys and indians and it can be found here in Into the West. Particularly shameful when the children were removed from their aboriginal families, and taken away to schools like Carlisle PA, to be punished for speaking their own language IMHO. Now no other "western" movie is in my collection, Into the West says it all
Comment from Malcolm in Toronto, October 2014
In To The West Rocks!!!!
shly_gordon6 November 2007
Me and my Grandma got to see this on TV. It was so good we decided to record it. The cast was perfect and so was the scenery. I think Steven Spielberg did a great job. My favorite actors were Christian Kane, Christopher Tyler. Reason I liked this a lot was because it told the fascinating story of the Indians. Being from OKC my grandma knows Chief Black Kettles grandson. I think this will truly open up the peoples eyes who want to see about the Indian lifestyle. I just think that it was a great TV Show Movie. I wish that Steven Spielberg would do more movies like this. I hope a lot of people get to see this and understand the Indidan life and ways that helped shape our future.
The Series....
coachmom24 July 2005
Over all I have enjoyed the series. At times with mini-stories within the series I have found stories lines that have been slightly unfinished. For example, I would have liked to have seen more on the story line with Keri Russell in it. As a native American (indiginious) people I found the series to be over all reasonable fair to the native American. However, I find that one young actor looked more Asian the Native American. Is he in fact Native American? How much research was done on the the Lakota? I find the Lakota to be a very interesting people. I am Ojibwa from North Dakota and would like to see stories about other nations. Or perhaps a movie about the more modern Native American (circa 1920's).
Not Reinvented
tedg10 July 2005
I'm constantly amazed. No matter how repetitive and unimaginative mainstream movies get, TeeVee always is worse, much worse.
The western has been reinvented and "made honest" so many times there's no way one can find its center any more. So you have two choices, either do something that's familiar and do it well, or do something different.
In this case, they advertised something different and didn't have the guts to follow through, so it falls somewhere in between. Neither part is done well. Especially appalling is the smarmy romanticizing of the native cultures.
They suffered once when the Europeans considered them irredeemable savages, not even worth converting to Christianity. Now they suffer the reverse fate. Only the direction has changed.
Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.
The western has been reinvented and "made honest" so many times there's no way one can find its center any more. So you have two choices, either do something that's familiar and do it well, or do something different.
In this case, they advertised something different and didn't have the guts to follow through, so it falls somewhere in between. Neither part is done well. Especially appalling is the smarmy romanticizing of the native cultures.
They suffered once when the Europeans considered them irredeemable savages, not even worth converting to Christianity. Now they suffer the reverse fate. Only the direction has changed.
Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.
Looking forward to each week's new episode
beachmomdad12 June 2005
My husband and I watched the first show of the series and we both liked it very much. We'll be looking forward to seeing the rest each week. We both grew up in the 40's and were used to going to the movies when "westerns" were quite popular. However, this story will be ongoing,and (hopefully)a tale of history will be told in each episode. We felt the acting was good, so far. We will be weekly watchers! I'm a fan of Skeet Ulrich who was recently in the Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie" Magic of Ordinary Days" with Keri Russell. His part in this series has been limited in the first episode. I understand he'll be in 3 of the series. The theme of settling the West coming from two perspectives is interesting. We are anxious to see things move along each week.
Into the West Derails
theneil18 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Into the West is really excellent up to the point of the introduction of the railroad, and then there is a significant decline in quality. Nothing represents this better than the locales chosen for filming. The first episodes look stunning and appropriate for the story, but once the trains start, it looks as if budget and artistic integrity ran out. All scenery and sets make no attempt to be realistic, and certainly not grand, as is the case in the first episodes. Wounded Knee, Little Big Horn, and all prairie scenes look like California's gritty Mojave Desert. What the hell happened?! Also, the acting degenerates. It's as if casting directors went to B-college drama departments and recruited line readers. And let's not forget that the focus of the story that is so clear early on--namely, of presenting an uplifting American saga--degenerates quickly and badly into a ham-fisted,hate-all-white-people screed that leaves one feeling soiled and cheated. The first parts of Into the West are quite good, a 10 really, but the last parts are dreadful, worthy of a 4. And the concept of changing actors for aging characters has to be one of the worst decisions ever made by Stephen Spielberg. Episodes 4, 5, and 6 should be discarded and redone.
An Uneven Telling of the Story of Western Settlement
Barky4424 July 2005
"Into the West" is a very uneven telling of the story of the American West.
I have to give the producers credit. They tried to tell a balanced view of the tale, by including viewpoints of both white settlers and of the dispossessed Indians. It was a noble effort, and very brave.
Sadly, they created an inconsistent, oftentimes disappointing, product.
The plot line revolving around the Lakota people was brilliant. The tale of young medicine man Loved by the Buffalo is wonderfully done and completely heart-wrenching. There is a high level of authenticity, plausibility, and interest around these Indians and their families. The saga of the Lakota is the shining spot on this miniseries. I didn't find too much fault with any of the Indian segments of this miniseries, they did justice to Black Kettle and Little Bighorn and the Ghost Dance and Wounded Knee, forming a cohesive and emotional story of the various tribes of natives.
It's the stories surrounding the white settlers that are horrible.
The primary problem is the obvious desire of the filmmakers to include every major event and icon in Western history into five two-hour episodes. They include Jebediah Smith's quest for the California coast. They include Bleeding Kansas. They include wagon trains. They include blasting railroad tunnels. They include the Golden Spike ceremony. They include the Gold Rush. The include the Pony Express. They include practically every event you could think of into these episodes. This required huge contrivances on the part of the writers. They created a huge family from western Virginia, made them all hungry for adventure, and scattered them throughout every major event whether their presence made sense or not. The main character, Jacob Wheeler (horribly played by Matthew Settle in the beginning, better played as "old Jacob" by John Terry), manages to not only make it to California but also marries a Lakota woman, has some kids, abandons his family, becomes a mountain man, joins the army and defeats the Mexicans, pans for gold, rejoins his family, has some more kids, and manages to live an unnatural long life ... very little of which is believable.
The secondary problem is the writing. So much of the dialogue is contrived and overdone. Because the producers wanted to include every event, all the actors were forced to read long speeches describing what was going on at that time. Plus they embellished it with so many period colloquialisms it would choke an English major. Made the dialogue more distracting than interesting. This was double jeopardy in the first three episodes where Matthew Settle not only delivers bad dialogue on-screen, but also has to read some of the hokeyness via narration (quite possibly the worst use of narration in any film).
There's plenty of lousy acting to be had. The worst by far is the aforementioned Matthew Settle, but there are so many I couldn't possibly count all the bad performances. Again, with dialogue and choices as bad as those mentioned earlier, not too many actors could have pulled it off.
Towards the end there is some redemption for this series. The fourth episode, focusing on the Black Kettle massacre, the battle of Little Bighorn, and a moving piece on the forced "assimilation" of Indian children into American society, provides some relief from the vapidity of the prior three. And the last episode, focusing on the Ghost Dance and the Wounded Knee massacre, is actually pretty good (until Jacob Wheeler's reappearance to give the stereotypical "high concept wrap-up"). So it's not a total loss.
But overall they could of, and should of, done a much better job on this miniseries. Thanks to some bad choices this series didn't have a chance, and it really deserved one. I am still convinced the story of the settlement of the West is a story with all the elements of great drama. But with such a bad treatment it'll be some time before anyone attempts to tell it again.
5 out of 10.
Barky
I have to give the producers credit. They tried to tell a balanced view of the tale, by including viewpoints of both white settlers and of the dispossessed Indians. It was a noble effort, and very brave.
Sadly, they created an inconsistent, oftentimes disappointing, product.
The plot line revolving around the Lakota people was brilliant. The tale of young medicine man Loved by the Buffalo is wonderfully done and completely heart-wrenching. There is a high level of authenticity, plausibility, and interest around these Indians and their families. The saga of the Lakota is the shining spot on this miniseries. I didn't find too much fault with any of the Indian segments of this miniseries, they did justice to Black Kettle and Little Bighorn and the Ghost Dance and Wounded Knee, forming a cohesive and emotional story of the various tribes of natives.
It's the stories surrounding the white settlers that are horrible.
The primary problem is the obvious desire of the filmmakers to include every major event and icon in Western history into five two-hour episodes. They include Jebediah Smith's quest for the California coast. They include Bleeding Kansas. They include wagon trains. They include blasting railroad tunnels. They include the Golden Spike ceremony. They include the Gold Rush. The include the Pony Express. They include practically every event you could think of into these episodes. This required huge contrivances on the part of the writers. They created a huge family from western Virginia, made them all hungry for adventure, and scattered them throughout every major event whether their presence made sense or not. The main character, Jacob Wheeler (horribly played by Matthew Settle in the beginning, better played as "old Jacob" by John Terry), manages to not only make it to California but also marries a Lakota woman, has some kids, abandons his family, becomes a mountain man, joins the army and defeats the Mexicans, pans for gold, rejoins his family, has some more kids, and manages to live an unnatural long life ... very little of which is believable.
The secondary problem is the writing. So much of the dialogue is contrived and overdone. Because the producers wanted to include every event, all the actors were forced to read long speeches describing what was going on at that time. Plus they embellished it with so many period colloquialisms it would choke an English major. Made the dialogue more distracting than interesting. This was double jeopardy in the first three episodes where Matthew Settle not only delivers bad dialogue on-screen, but also has to read some of the hokeyness via narration (quite possibly the worst use of narration in any film).
There's plenty of lousy acting to be had. The worst by far is the aforementioned Matthew Settle, but there are so many I couldn't possibly count all the bad performances. Again, with dialogue and choices as bad as those mentioned earlier, not too many actors could have pulled it off.
Towards the end there is some redemption for this series. The fourth episode, focusing on the Black Kettle massacre, the battle of Little Bighorn, and a moving piece on the forced "assimilation" of Indian children into American society, provides some relief from the vapidity of the prior three. And the last episode, focusing on the Ghost Dance and the Wounded Knee massacre, is actually pretty good (until Jacob Wheeler's reappearance to give the stereotypical "high concept wrap-up"). So it's not a total loss.
But overall they could of, and should of, done a much better job on this miniseries. Thanks to some bad choices this series didn't have a chance, and it really deserved one. I am still convinced the story of the settlement of the West is a story with all the elements of great drama. But with such a bad treatment it'll be some time before anyone attempts to tell it again.
5 out of 10.
Barky
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