American Primeval on Netflix

[CuNosecap]

Speaking of literary license...
They made Bridger's character to be quite a character, I thought. The best line concerning this was when Bridger was telling BY about his office being conveniently located a mere steps from the fort's brothel. Young tells Bridger that he does not frequent such places, in a very pious and condescending tone. Bridger then replies something like "I can see why you wouldn't. Last count you had 22 wives!"

 

[James Dietz]

I really liked the portrayal of the LDS movement west and of Brigham Young. Most types of these movies do not touch on that important aspect of westward expansion.

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

Hay if you want to see a couple kids. Look at you. Like you're from a different planet. Go a head and ask them.
Not all of the missionaries are from Utah. I'm a born and raised Utahn. And

Yeah… perhaps. It’ll give me an opportunity to educate ‘em though!

 

[BR Sorenson]

Well now you are mixing the film and the history.
The history should and does stand by itself. No argument there. But the film is the depiction of history as interpreted by writers, producers, directors and actors. They all lend their own part to the story to one degree or another.
But the films that are remembered as Good to Excellent, have their historical facts and costumes held to the most accurate standards. I think that is what makes a good move---
The accurate representation of the history as best can be told.

Good thought, when does a film fallow actual story lines. Fact or fiction.

 

[CuNosecap]

I think it is all fiction for entertainment. Even movies like Midway have some fiction, as the characters’ speech or interactions are not written in history books verbatim. The best historical movies approach historical fact, be it 55% or 99%. But for entertainment they have to throw in a grenade that explodes like gasoline, or a snake in the bed. Otherwise that 99% might get a little boring.

 

[[email protected]]

I’m betting that the Morman community didn’t give the show 2 thumbs up . Years ago I bought a VHS movie for $1 in the mark down bin titled “Avenging Angel” about one of Brigham Young’s bodyguard/enforcers who I believe carried the short barreled 1860 Colt Army. Best of my recollection the movie was not very good but it was the first time that I was made aware of the violence that the Mormans were capable of during that time.
The AI generated arrows whizzing about in American Primeval made the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I liked the show. My wife (she said that it was almost too gruesome) and I watched it over 2 nights. My hearing aids are down for the count so some of the dialogue whizzed right by me like the AI arrows.

Close captioning saves the day. I am deaf in one ear and cant hear out of the other, so captions are a must even with the aid in my one ear that still has a bit of life in it.

 

[[email protected]]

I am 3 eps in and find the show riveting. Yes some scenes are brutal, so is life at times. I like the way its filmed in the low color, like Revenant which I also like very much, a fine film.

 

[springfield art]

Notice 1851 Navys; very authentic from what i've heard. I have to wail until it's on DVD! Friend spotted a Mississippi musket, possible Hall, uniforms on army very authentic; those olden days Mormons were a handful, apparently!

 

[springfield art]

Close captioning saves the day. I am deaf in one ear and cant hear out of the other, so captions are a must even with the aid in my one ear that still has a bit of life in it.

I find myself using CC esp. if there's English or other foreign accents involved. Fortunately, I can read well!!

 

[JEBMs]

My son recommended Bluetooth headphones but I wasn’t too keen on them. Then I heard a news story from Memphis about a couple who were using them and their house was broken into while they were glued to the TV with their noise canceling headphones. When their show was over they discovered that the crooks had popped the lock on the patio door and didn’t bother to close it on their way out.

 

[SPQR70AD]

Well now you are mixing the film and the history.
The history should and does stand by itself. No argument there. But the film is the depiction of history as interpreted by writers, producers, directors and actors. They all lend their own part to the story to one degree or another.
But the films that are remembered as Good to Excellent, have their historical facts and costumes held to the most accurate standards. I think that is what makes a good move---
The accurate representation of the history as best can be told.

OK how many people that watch it know every gun clothing shoes socks hats knives shovels dresses etc are period correct or not? .003%? how many people have been taught Whites are the most violent racists on earth who kill any non white they can find and take their land. answer 95%

 

[Cannonman58]

The challenge in keeping the film hisorically correct and injecting a dose of romance, heroism and sacrifice etc... is immense. Film has to get the attention of more than our group to succeed in the ratings wars. It's all about the bucks after all.
Interesing gut reaction to massacre scene with all the arrows flying.. Actually found myself doing a little dodging on those scenes. Great special effects. In the end (Spoiler alert) I think you have hope emerging and the fire having this cleansing effect.
Hope that this heralds the coming of more historical dramas like this. We have such a unique and turbulent history.. It wasn't pretty in many cases.

 

[docholl]

Watched it all yesterday , and it's a really well done, series, especially for 2024 . For anyone wondering because it is a Netflix series, there is no "agenda" being pushed at you like you'd expect.

On the firearms side of things it shows a mix of caplock rifles and flintlock rifles but mostly you see the1851 Navy, though I sware I saw a few brass framed versions which I didn't think were produced in 1857. There is a scene where they empty their pistols and fumble to reload at night on horseback with cold hands, an accurate detail. No pistol shot more than 6 shots which made more believable than the usual endless firing six gun of other movies.

I give it two thumbs up and highly recommended it.

Yes, you did see some brass framed "1851 Navies". Not correct at all. A few of the hats were a bit off as well. Overall, however, the show looked pretty good.

 

[Zapadach]

Fascinating history, and I’ll definitely keep this in mind the next time a pair of well-dressed missionaries knock on my door. I might just casually ask if they’d like to discuss the finer details of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Should make for an interesting chat!

I have actually done that some years ago. It was quite interesting. I had the occasion to talk with an older man who claimed to be a member of their clergy class, on the finer points of their theology. When I brought up Brigum Young's "Avenging Angels" the Danites", he chose to end our conversation.

 

[docholl]

who cares if the guns are period correct. what really matters is that these people endured hell on earth to build this country. their courage and determination was unreal. the country was built on their blood in the ground and instead of being honored the country pisses on them

It matters if the "guns" are correct in a period film. By that attitude, why not give everyone M16's?

 

[Kansas Jake]

Most people watching this film wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between an1851 and a modern unmentionable Ruger revolver. It’s nice to see period correct and my wife gets tired of my comments about firearms in old westerns. We watched an old pre civil war movie last night from the early 1950s. Everyone was carrying a revolver or two. Most were cartridge Remingtons. At least they didn’t all have a belt full of cartridges.

 

[tiklikker]

Sophies Choice great movie but I could only watch it once

Sophies Choice is the most gut-wrenching movie I ever saw. I too cannot watch it again.

 

[SPQR70AD]

It matters if the "guns" are correct in a period film. By that attitude, why not give everyone M16's?

why stop with M-16 go with a star trek phaser. what you said is silly. most guys point out a certain pistol didnt come out for a few more years not 100 years

 

[SPQR70AD]

Sophies Choice is the most gut-wrenching movie I ever saw. I too cannot watch it again.

do you watch what is going on in Gaza which is not a movie?

 

[smo]

I assume that the cast of extras were maybe local people who participate in living history or rendezvous.
Which would explain some of the inconsistencies in weaponry and dress.
Not everyone is PC/HC.


Much like in the series Into the wild frontier…
Into the Wild Frontier had one of the Muzzle loading Forums members in it…

Greenmtnboy


Here’s another example of local talent being utilized as a cast member in another film.

My Friend is seated on the left in the pic below….

Much the same attire as used in the filming…

In most cases from what I understand even though the cast members are more knowledgeable on subject matter than the film’s director, the director still calls the shots even though it may not follow the historical guidelines..

I watched all the episodes over the last two nights..
Now I plan to watch them again in closed captions because I know the crickets & tree frogs in the background I was hearing weren’t in the film…at least not in the colder portions anyway..

Just my take on things..