The Donner Party (2009)

27% of users liked it
(218 ratings)

A group of American emigrants en route to California are forced to resort to cannibalism after becoming stranded in the Sierra Mountains in this historic docudrama inspired by the harrowing true story. Excited at the prospect of beginning a new life in a new land, a group dubbed "Forlorn Hope" makes… More A group of American emigrants en route to California are forced to resort to cannibalism after becoming stranded in the Sierra Mountains in this historic docudrama inspired by the harrowing true story. Excited at the prospect of beginning a new life in a new land, a group dubbed "Forlorn Hope" makes their way west under the guidance of William Hastings. When Hastings suggests that the group could save a significant amount of time by cutting though the Sierras, they follow his lead to tragic results. As blinding snowstorms steer leaders William Foster (Crispin Glover) and William Eddy (Clayne Crawford) hopelessly off course, the group slowly realizes that they have become stranded in the wilderness with no shelter and dwindling food supplies. With starvation setting in and the prospects of rescue looking bleak, the group makes the gruesome decision to sacrifice a few for the survival of many - a choice that will forever haunt them once they return to civilization and the grim reality of their struggle sets in. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: T.J. Martin
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Dec 31, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Jan 26, 2010
Studio: First Look Studios

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Eric S

We've all heard the true story of the fallen party of settlers led by William Hastings who were forced to resort to cannibalism in order to survive in the Sierra Nevada mountains, This film tells the tale in a somewhat loose fashion of the group's failure to reach their… More
We've all heard the true story of the fallen party of settlers led by William Hastings who were forced to resort to cannibalism in order to survive in the Sierra Nevada mountains, This film tells the tale in a somewhat loose fashion of the group's failure to reach their destination of California which ended up being quite near to where more than half of them met their demise. I enjoyed seeing Crispin Glover as the preacher and one of the "leaders" of the pack on their journey towards California where they seek salvation. Obviously, the film is quite grim in subject matter, and does not quite establish any meaningful characters or backstory. However, if you like Crispin Glover, you'll want to see this. He talks with a British accent, and sounds quite like Donald Pleasance. I find it difficult to watch him in anything without thinking of his brilliant character work as Lane in "River's Edge", but when it all comes down to it, he seems to make just about anything entertaining. "See? It's okay, he saw it on the television."(Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance in "The Shining").
Sarah P

Something was definately missing from this movie (besides good acting and an interesting way to present the plot). I would skip this one...

Cast

Crispin Glover
as William Foster
Clayne Crawford
as William Eddy
Mark Boone Jr.

Christian Kane

The Donner Party (2009)

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Eric S

Sarah P

Cast

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