Into The West
Universal Studios (2005)
Drama
In Collection
#6853
0*
Seen ItYes
678149448122
IMDB   8.1
9 hr 12 mins USA / English
DVD  Region 1   NR
Beau Bridges
Josh Brolin
Gary Busey
Tonantzin Carmelo
Tyler Christopher
Rachael Leigh Cook
Graham Greene
Christian Kane
Zahn McClarnon
Matthew Modine
James Blackburn
Balthazar Getty
Jesse Moss
Glen Powell Jr.
Matthew Settle
Keith Carradine
Will Patton
Tom Berenger
Craig Sheffer
Keri Russell
Russell Means
Jonathan Scarfe
Simon Baker Loved By The Buffalo (Young)
Director
Robert Dornhelm
Jeremy Podeswa
Producer Kirk Ellis
Darryl Frank
Steven Spielberg
Writer Kirk Ellis
William Mastrosimone

"Big and bold...visually spectacular...worth its weight in gold nuggets." -- The Hollywood Reporter

Experience one of the most definitive and triumphant chapters in American history by journeying Into The West with this powerful 4-disc DVD set. Presented by TNT in association with DreamWorks Television and executive produced by Steven Spielberg, this 12-TV-hour event contains all 6 timeless episodes of the action-packed miniseries and boasts an entire disc of exclusive bonus features. Chronicling the struggles, heartache and conquests of two inspiring families, Into The West captures the hopes and perseverance of both the explorers who risked everything to fulfill their dreams and the land's indigenous people forced to watch their way of life disappear. Featuring an excellent ensemble cast of Hollywood's brightest stars, including Beau Bridges, Graham Greene, Matthew Modine and Keri Russell, Into The West is an American Dream saga that Entertainment Weekly call "epic in scope and cast."
Episodes
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    6/10/2005  1.  Wheel to the Stars
The year is 1827. In Virginia, young Jacob Wheeler dreams of adventure. Leaving his family behind, he joins renowned mountain man Jedediah Smith on an expedition to California. Meanwhile, a young Lakota holy man, Loved by the Buffalo, receives disturbing visions about the coming of the white man and the demise of the buffalo. When his sister, Thunder Heart Woman, is saved by Jacob, the lives of the two families become forever intertwined.
Director:  Robert Dornhelm  Writer:  William Mastrosimone 
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    6/17/2005  2.  Manifest Destiny
The changes in the western frontier take their toll on the Native people. Some choose to cast their lot with the white man, while others cling to their traditional ways. Jacob Wheeler and his wife, Thunder Heart Woman, return to Virginia, but soon the promise of a new life in California entices Jacob to set out again along with his brother Jethro. The road is long and hard. Many are lost, and in the end, one brother makes the ultimate sacrifice.
Director:  Simon Wincer  Writer:  Cyrus Nowrasteh 
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    6/24/2005  3.  Dreams & Schemes
Gold fever spreads throughout the land bringing thousands of prospectors to California, and leaving a wake of destruction across Lakota sacred land. Greed overtakes Jethro Wheeler, who risks his life to strike it rich. In exile, Loved By The Buffalo continues to seek the prophet who will save the Lakota and their land. Meanwhile, back east, the election of President Abraham Lincoln divides the Union.
Director:  Sergio Mimic-Gizzan  Writer:  Craig Storper 
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    7/8/2005  4.  Hell on Wheels
The race is on as the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads lay down track across the U.S. bringing east and west together. Jacob Wheeler's one son, Abe, joins the railroad crew, while his other son Jacob Jr. becomes a scout for the army. Jacob's daughter Margaret and her photographer husband are captured by the Cheyenne, but her Lakota heritage saves them and they are adopted by the tribe. When the village is attacked by overzealous U.S. soldiers, many are murdered. Witnessing the brutality, Margaret decides to stay with her Cheyenne family.
Director:  Michael W. Watkins  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    7/15/2005  5.  Casualties of War
When gold is discovered in the Black Hills, the Lakota's most sacred land is threatened. The government wants mining rights, but Chief Sitting Bull refuses. He later has an ominous dream that gives hope to the Lakota. This vision becomes reality when the ambitious General Custer and the 7th Calvary are outnumbered by Crazy Horse and his warriors at Little Big Horn. But the Lakota victory fuels hatred of the Indians among those who seek to destroy them and their culture.
Director:  Timothy Van Patten  Writer:  William Mastrosimone 
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    7/22/2005  6.  Ghost Dance
Loved By The Buffalo believes he has found the foretold prophet when a mysterious Indian named Wokova inspires his people with the Ghost Dance and a vision of their restored land. But the ritual stirs up more fear among those who wish to contain the Indians. Sitting Bull is ""accidentally"" killed, further inciting the Ghost Dance rebellion, which in turn, leads to more brutality toward the Indians. As the circle closes, Loved By The Buffalo and Jacob meet again. Reunited with his family, Loved By The Buffalo resolves to pass on his Lakota traditions to the next generation so that their ways continue to live on.
Director:  Jeremy Podeswa  Writer:  William Mastrosimone 
Edition Details
Edition Box Set / Special Edition
Series Into the West
Distributor Dreamworks Video
Release Date 10/4/2005
Packaging Custom Case
Screen Ratio Widescreen 1.78:1 Color (Anamorphic)
Subtitles English; French; Spanish
Audio Tracks ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 [CC]
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Stereo [CC]
Layers Single Side, Dual Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 4

Features
Disc 01 The Cast of Into The West
The Communication Gap - A look at the use of Native American language and the attempt to keep the dialect of a race of people from becoming extinct
The Making of Into The West - Set tour and an exclusive look into the extensive costume production required for "the most ambitious production TNT has ever undertaken" (Michael Wright, SVP of Original Programming, TNT)
Music Video - "World On Fire" featuring Sarah McLachlan and Robbie Robertson