Dead of Winter: The Donner Party backdrop

Dead of Winter: The Donner Party 2015 Directed by Doug Glover

How far would you go to keep your family safe?

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.

Country USA
Language English
Spoken Language English
Production Company Thinkfactory Media
Release Date 27 November 2015
84 mins
Cast
Powers Boothe Narrator
Darby Hinton George Donner
Kim Lankford Tamsen Donner
Darrin Miller James Reed
Libby Baker Margaret Reed
Danielle Shumard Virginia Reed
David White William Eddy
Kit Leonard Dennis Patrick Breen
Bear Fuerst Lewis Keseberg
Greg Webb William Foster
Alex Barry Patrick Dolan
Romi Williams Patty Reed
Ryan Cole Charles Stanton
Sean Kervin Salvador
Calen John Neal John Snyder
Elizabeth Austin Commentator (Atmospheric Physicist)
Gabrielle Burton Commentator (Author)
Ethan Rarick Commentator (Author)
Frank X. Mullen Commentator (Author)
Mark McLaughlin Commentator (Author)
Creek Stewart Commentator (Survival Expert)