American Experience
Season 5 Episode 3 - The Donner Party
6.9 ?
1988
Documentary
Of all the 19th century pioneer stories, none exerts so powerful a hold on the American imagination as this, during the worst winter ever recorded in the High Sierras. In June, 1846, 87 men, women and children began their legendary 2,000 mile journey from Illinois to California. They packed huge wagons, took food, hired servants. When family leaders made the fateful decision to take an untried short cut to beat the coming winter, only half would come out alive.
Episodes in Season 5
1
The Kennedys (1): The Father, 1900-61
55 min
2
The Kennedys (2): The Sons, 1961-80
55 min
3
The Donner Party
55 min
NOW PLAYING
4
Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II
55 min
5
George Washington: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King
55 min
6
Last Stand at Little Big Horn
55 min
7
If You Knew Sousa
55 min
8
Simple Justice
55 min
9
Knute Rockne and His Fighting Irish
55 min
10
Sit Down And Fight
55 min
11
Rachel Carson's Silent Spring
55 min
12
Goin' Back to T-Town
55 min
20
Ishi: The Last Yahi Indian
55 min
