Comments on: Medicine Wheel / Wagon Wheel

Medicine Wheel / Wagon Wheel

zarq — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:14:11 -0800

In 2005, Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks produced a 6 episode miniseries that spanned the period of expansion of the United States into the American West, from 1825 to 1890. Through fictional and historical characters, the series used two primary symbols--the wagon wheel and the Lakota medicine wheel -- to join the story of two families: one Native American, one White settlers, as they witnessed many of the 19th century's pivotal historical milestones. The award-winning Into The West can now be seen in its entirety on YouTube.

Individual Episodes: 1. Wheel to the Stars 2. Manifest Destiny 3. Dreams and Schemes 4. Hell on Wheels 5. Casualties of War 6. Ghost Dance Wikipedia: "The show has a large cast, with about 250 speaking parts," including Irene Bedard, Tonantzin Carmelo, Keri Russell, Alan Tudyk, Skeet Ulrich, Balthazar Getty, Matthew Modine, Graham Greene, Wes Studi, Beau Bridges, Sean Astin, Lance Henriksen, Rachael Leigh Cook and Keith Carradine. IMDB has the full cast list. USA Today: "In its drive for authenticity, West hired Lakota adviser Charlie White Buffalo to teach the Lakota language to the actors playing Native Americans (most of whom are descendants of Native Americans)." More on the Lakota language can be found at Omniglot

By: dry white toast

dry white toast — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:10:21 -0800

I know what I'm watching this weekend. Thanks!

By: inturnaround

inturnaround — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 22:28:54 -0800

I was disappointed it contained no Jewish mice families like Spielberg had promised in an earlier film.

By: MonkeyToes

MonkeyToes — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 01:47:44 -0800

Thanks, zarq! Looking forward to watching this with my kids.

By: parmanparman

parmanparman — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 02:36:00 -0800

Into the West is also the name of a great children's movie starring Gabriel Byrne that is one of the most honest portrayals of Irish poverty and the Travelers.

By: incandissonance

incandissonance — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 06:19:12 -0800

Where's the Blood Meridian episode?

By: AugieAugustus

AugieAugustus — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 06:27:35 -0800

the story of two families: one Native American, one White settlers, as they witnessed many of the 19th century's pivotal historical milestones So is it a proto-Forrest Gump kind of thing? I don't think I ever heard of this, which is kind of odd despite my 10+ years of no cable. And it has no Metacritic score at all, which also seems kind of odd. Is it any good?

By: dances_with_sneetches

dances_with_sneetches — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 06:37:49 -0800

It has the good and bad characteristics of Spielberg productions. The good: high production values, sweeping tale, a basic respect for history even if the actors are too well-scrubbed. The bad: The heroes are too plucky. The villains too one-dimensional. The kids too suburban. The Indians are a bit too mystical - but that is hardly a Spielberg-only flaw. All in all, I do recommend it, though, if you like the genre and have the time.

By: AugieAugustus

AugieAugustus — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 06:53:09 -0800

The Indians are a bit too mystical posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:37 AM on September 21 [+] [!] lol

By: cass

cass — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 07:01:44 -0800

It's also been running on AMC network.

By: Atreides

Atreides — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 07:14:28 -0800

It's not bad for a tv mini-series....so set your bar low and enjoy.

By: sio42

sio42 — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 07:37:16 -0800

i enjoyed this show, but then i love historical dramas for the most part. there was one particular scene involving the doctor and an operation in wagon that i won't give any more details for to avoid spoilers, but man i do think about the scene from time to time. i kinda hadn't thought about that aspect of the Oregon Trail reality...i just figured you got dysentery and died and had to start the game over. i know this isn't about the Oregon Trail specifically, but you know what i mean. i can do small but i don't know spoiiler or mouseover

By: Athene

Athene — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:56:54 -0800

(most of whom are descendants of Native Americans) This wording drives me absolutely crazy. Descendants of Native Americans are... Native Americans. We are still here. WE ARE STILL HERE.