Dead of Winter: The Donner Party

Dead of Winter: The Donner Party

84 mins | Documentary, Horror, History | Nov. 27, 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.

Dead of Winter: The Donner Party

84 mins | Documentary, Horror, History | Nov. 27, 2015

Dead of Winter: The Donner Party
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.
Producers Thinkfactory Media
Original title Dead of Winter: The Donner Party
Directors Josh Brandli, Ben Kahn, Doug Glover
Writers Raymond Bridgers

Cast

Powers Boothe

as Narrator

Darby Hinton

as George Donner

Kim Lankford

as Tamsen Donner

Darrin Miller

as James Reed

Libby Baker

as Margaret Reed

Danielle Shumard

as Virginia Reed

David White

as William Eddy

Kit Leonard Dennis

as Patrick Breen

Bear Fuerst

as Lewis Keseberg

Greg Webb

as William Foster

Alex Barry

as Patrick Dolan

Romi Williams

as Patty Reed

Ryan Cole

as Charles Stanton

Luis Juarez

as Luis

Sean Kervin

as Salvador

Calen John Neal

as John Snyder

Elizabeth Austin

as Commentator (Atmospheric Physicist)

Gabrielle Burton

as Commentator (Author)

Ethan Rarick

as Commentator (Author)

Frank X. Mullen

as Commentator (Author)

Mark McLaughlin

as Commentator (Author)

Creek Stewart

as Commentator (Survival Expert)