The Donner Party (2009)

This tragic story had so much potential for a really good and interesting movie but did not deliver. There was no depth to any of the characters you really didn't care if they lived or died. Crispin Glover was miscast as William Foster, I was expecting Marty Mcfly to rescue his dad in the Delorian , his acting was so wooden it was fine for comedy but not a serious role. The story-line was weak, I would have like a more accurate story this movie just skimmed over the top of what happened to these people, better acting and bigger budget it could have been a first rate movie but unfortunately it was more like a made for TV film, these emigrants became trapped in the Sierra Nevada Mountains during one of the most brutal winters on record yet the film made it look like they were out on a family hiking trip the weather was so mild not a snow flake in sight. I hope they do eventually make a more honest and realistic movie we don't have to focus on the cannibalistic side and make it a gore-fest, but more on the family unit, the story of survival and the aftermath of the survivors

The filming (colors..septia?), background music and sparse, terse script do a great job of setting up spooky suspense. Within minutes the viewer is drawn into this desperate setting! The characters are not overdrawn with background but are set up very well. Indeed, the movie doesn't try to explain the plight, story, etc., of the infamous Donner party but instead is a largely fictionalized account of its infamous group which set out to seek help, long referred to as "The Forlorn Hope".Given the above correction (changing the point of view) the film then takes some missteps, primarily in its depiction of the ultimate vice practiced by the "The Forlorn Hope", which was much too compromised here. Also, the major conflict between the two male leads becomes too black and white; e.g., Glover's character becomes too much of a bogeyman and the protagonist too virtuous. In contrast, TFH's women are under drawn in the second half of the flick.With some work this film could have been a great thriller.

I have been looking around a bit to see what people generally thought about this movie, and I have noticed several complaints about its historical inaccuracy. I was however under the impression that, as the genres indicated on the IMDb page (drama and western) seem to suggest, this was never intended to be a documentary. That implies a certain freedom to depart for the actual facts, doesn't it ?Other reviewers have already praised the bleak, low-saturation images, the extremely appropriate music (used with the greatest effect for the execution scene, which is absolutely gripping) and the beautiful and desolate locations (endless snow and ominous skeleton-like branches silhouetted against somber grey skies). I'll add to this the great job done by the make-up people on this film (truthfully, at one point, I thought it was starting to look a bit like a period Night of the Living Dead around the campfire. Dying characters that actually look the part... That doesn't happen as often as one would believe...).About the plot and the complaint that not much happens... I am going to be grossly pragmatic here, but starving people don't really have the energy to do much, do they ? They 'plod' along the lines of a film that works as a mood piece (dreary. avoid if you're easily depressed) and psychological drama - yes. another one of those, complete with hints of reflection on what humanity is and how desperate times can strip it away from man. a bit heavy-handed at times, but thankfully not a stark manichean treatment of the theme. For instance, generally whiny and annoying Foster - Glover's character. watch for that scene where he makes his long, choked up speech when the party sets out. and the "I am a Christian" bit. makes you want to throttle him, doesn't it ? - has a couple of touching moments, as when he endeavours to cheer up his (personality-deprived) wife.On the subject of acting: here is another impressive Glover performance. Without the ever-enjoyable hysterics to be found in his more eccentric roles (cf Willard or Simon Says), the more subtle nuances are given centre-stage, establishing an interesting character difficult to pigeonhole. In the party under Foster's command, the widow with the haunted eyes (Santopietro) is especially heart-wrenching while W. Eddy (Crawford) is also suitably ambiguous in his steely determination.On a completely random tangent, if I may make a remark in rather poor taste, but which I can't resist: I don't know whether people do taste like chicken as it has been suggested in more humorous takes on the matter, but in this film, one has to admit that the cooked result does look a lot like it ...and by the way, what did they mean by "adding into the pot" ? A FAQ on the subject would be appreciated if someone understands that part...

Crispin Glover leads the ill fated Donner Party in this entertaining fictional, though based on fact, movie. The audience is immediately aware of the party's desperate situation, stranded and starving in the snow covered Sierra Nevada Mountains. The film, though relentlessly downbeat, does try to realistically portray how individuals might have reacted to the extreme conditions they were subjected to. Cannibalism is portrayed in a dignified manner, not sensationalized, and there is actually very little blood. The haunting soundtrack seems very appropriate, and the Donner Pass locations beautifully, though bleakly, photographed. Recommended, and especially recommended if you want to see Crispin Glover in a restrained and believable performance. - MERK