The West (1996)
4.2 of 5 from 53 ratings
11h 43min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Produced by Ken Bums, creator of die stunning 'The American Civil War', "The West" tells the lull and fascinating story of the American Frontier from 1500 to 1914, intricately weaving together evocative and never before seen photographs and newsreels from 74 different archives with journals, American and Native American music, diaries and artefacts. Truly epic in scope, this eleven and a half hour masterwork reveals the truth behind the myths and legends and embraces every aspect of one of the most important and riveting stories in human history - the Spanish Conquistadors and missionaries; die great Indian nations; the pioneers and setders; the gold miners; the gunfighters, lawmen and cowboys; the terrible and bloody wars and massacres; the building of die railroads; the frontier towns, forts and ranches - and the making of modem America. A host of leading international actors, including Matdiew Broderick, Jason Robards, Peter Coyote, Mary Stuart Masterton, Jimmy Smits, Ossie Davis and Gary Sinise lend their voice talents to authentic letters, journals and diaries from die era, bringing die lives of both ordinary people and the legendary figures of the West vividly to life. Executive producer Ken Bums has received two Academy Award nominations and is the winner of numerous international awards. He has been described as 'quite simply the finest documentary filmmaker working today'. - Actors:
- Philip Bosco, Murphy Guyer, John Trudell, Eli Wallach, Adam Arkin, Peter Gallagher, Arthur Miller, Jason Robards, Hector Elizondo, George Plimpton, Charlie McDowell, Tim Sampson, Jimmy Smits, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Zahn McClarnon, August Schellenberg, Daniel Von Bargen, Blythe Danner, Terrence Currier
- Directors:
- Stephen Ives
- Producers:
- Stephen Ives, Jody Abramson, Michael Kantor, Ken Burns
- Voiced By:
- Philip Bosco, Murphy Guyer, John Trudell, Eli Wallach, Adam Arkin, Peter Gallagher, Arthur Miller, Jason Robards, Hector Elizondo, George Plimpton, Charlie McDowell, Tim Sampson, Jimmy Smits, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Zahn McClarnon, August Schellenberg, Daniel Von Bargen, Blythe Danner, Terrence Currier
- Narrated By:
- Peter Coyote
- Writers:
- Geoffrey C. Ward, Dayton Duncan
- Studio:
- Simply Home Entertainment
- Genres:
- TV Documentaries
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- Not available for rental
- Run Time:
- 703 minutes
- Languages:
- English
- Subtitles:
- None
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
- Colour:
- Colour and B & W
- Bonus:
- Bonus Film: A Nation Rises (25 mins)
- Disc 1:
- This disc includes the following episodes:
1. The People
2. Empire Upon the Trails - Disc 2:
- This disc includes the following episodes:
3. Speck of the Future
4. Death Runs Riot - Disc 3:
- This disc includes the following episodes:
5. The Grandest Enterprise Under God
6. Fight No More Forever - Disc 4:
- This disc includes the following episodes:
7. The Geography of Hope
8. One Sky Above Us
9. Ghost Dance
- Special Features
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Reviews (1) of The West
Overly long and mind-numbingly dull. - The West review by CP Customer
As a weekly TV series this probably is an enjoyable and informative series, but running at over eleven and a half hours long, as a DVD rental it's just too epic and detailed for it's own good.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.