THE AMERICAN WEST on AMC (Cable-TV). The 8-part docu-series premiered back in 2016. It was executive produced by Robert Redford. The ratings overall stayed above 1.0 million TV viewers with 7 episodes. It dropped to 887,000 on the 8th and final segment.
It doesn't chronicle the "West" entirely. It concentrates on the popular individuals who shaped the "West." They are below....
- JESSE JAMES (David H. Stevens)
- BILLY THE KID (Derek Chariton)
- CRAZY HORSE (Will Strongheart)
- GENERAL GEORGE CUSTER (John C. Bailey)
- SITTING BULL (Moses Brings Plenty)
- WYATT EARP (Jonathan C. Stewart)
It is said that Robert Redford is meticulous on "detail." Especially with history... The production value here is top level. It brought me back to the 1800's. It begins with end of the Civil War (1865) and what grew out of it as the white settlers expanded westward.
I just finished "binge" watching this again. It could almost be a Silent Film. There is hardly any character dialogue. The narration and music covers each individual entirely. Their looks and actions tell the story. That action even shows us the gun violence of the 1800's.
Each story is unique and not "romanticized" like in countless western movies. My favorite is Wyatt Earp who lived to tell his stories to Silent Films (1920's). He never wanted to be an outlaw. His life just turned out that way. He wasn't even "shot" in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. I don't think he was meant to be.
There is a legend where Billy the Kid and Jesse James meet at Las Vegas, New Mexico. Both were popular outlaws. Jesse had asked Billy to work for him. Billy said "no." What a tense meeting that was in this excellent series. Check it out. Western fans won't be disappointed.... Grade - A+
(AMC Logo. Western Docu-series 2016.).
(AMC Logo. Jesse James.).
(AMC Logo. Wyatt Earp in center.).
(AMC Logo. Billy the Kid.).
No comments:
Post a Comment