Dead of Winter: The Donner Party
How far would you go to keep your family safe?
84 mins
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.
Danielle Shumard
Virginia Reed
Alex Barry
Patrick Dolan
Romi Williams
Patty Reed
Ryan Cole
Charles Stanton
Luis Juarez
Luis
Sean Kervin
Salvador
Calen John Neal
John Snyder
Gabrielle Burton
Commentator (Author)
Raymond Bridgers
Writer
Raymond Bridgers
Executive Producer
Laura Decludt
Producer
Lauren Frasca
Executive Producer
Leslie Greif
Executive Producer
John C. Joseph
Executive Producer
Ben Kahn
Producer
Mayen Ma
Supervising Producer
Adam Reed
Executive Producer
Joanne Rubino
Production Executive
Erika Wadler
Development Manager
Clint Lealos
Cinematography
Narbeh Nazarian
Production Design
Bernadette Stewart
Set Decoration
Lauren Oppelt
Costume Design
Jennifer M. Quinteros
Makeup Department Head
Ayelet Bick
Production Manager
Sterling Frymer
Unit Production Manager
John Kalning
Production Supervisor
Ben Kahn
First Assistant Director
Josh Brandli
Second Assistant Director
Laurence A. Ellis
Supervising Sound Editor