Series cast summary: | |||
Peter Coyote | ... |
Narrator
(6 episodes, 1996)
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Philip Bosco |
(5 episodes, 1996)
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Murphy Guyer |
(5 episodes, 1996)
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John Trudell |
(5 episodes, 1996)
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Eli Wallach |
(5 episodes, 1996)
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Adam Arkin |
(4 episodes, 1996)
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Peter Gallagher |
(4 episodes, 1996)
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Arthur Miller |
(4 episodes, 1996)
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Jason Robards |
(4 episodes, 1996)
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Hector Elizondo |
(3 episodes, 1996)
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George Plimpton |
(3 episodes, 1996)
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Charlie McDowell |
(3 episodes, 1996)
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Tim Sampson |
(3 episodes, 1996)
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Jimmy Smits |
(3 episodes, 1996)
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Tantoo Cardinal |
(3 episodes, 1996)
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John Lithgow |
(3 episodes, 1996)
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Zahn McClarnon |
(3 episodes, 1996)
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August Schellenberg |
(3 episodes, 1996)
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Daniel von Bargen |
(3 episodes, 1996)
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Blythe Danner |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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Terrence Currier |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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Julie Harris |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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Gene Jones |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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Amy Madigan |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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Robert Prosky |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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Miguel Sandoval |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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Ossie Davis |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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Russell Means |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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Larry Pine |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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Ralph Waite |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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Mary Stuart Masterson |
(2 episodes, 1996)
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This documentary covers the history of the American West from the Native American tribes to their encounter with Europeans and how the Europeans conquered them and settled the land. In telling this story, the film takes into the account to both the viewpoints of Indians and other minorities to balance the white populations history. Written by Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@execulink.com>
In response to the ludicrous comments of the aforegoing jingoistic 'type': The writers of The West must have had more than a few facets of their mammoth piece right in order to elicit such a typically moronic right-wing-styled response in its appeal to nationalistic myth, grand-narrative delusion and brazen stereotype positing. Not to mention
- the ironic circumstance of contending that 'we' as the Caucasiatic
race are being slighted in some way, in order to showcase the romanticised moanings of other races. The series does no such thing... in fact it habitually (and necessarily) DOES turn about much of the essential Ameri-myths of Frontier and Manifest Destiny (and sundry others), which have been/are so central to your much lauded and generalised "natioanl consciousness". The series, in the main, does NOT disparage these! - nor is there essentially any need to - since they're not altogether bad, of course.So, once you're finished waving your flag about, and - somewhat ironically - prattling on about the reductive "black and white", perhaps consider that an expansive narrative like The West MUST contain motifs and themes... it cannot present a comprehensive or 'complete' history (there is no such thing)... and is perfectly entitled to present perspectives that don't accord with someone-or-other's ideal of a 'balanced' account. 'Balance' is NO objective reality, and shouldn't be thought of as 'existing' as a universal truth awaiting insertion into subjectively-conceived narratives - not even quality history docos such as The West. As far as I could ascertain, The West does NOT prefigure or predetermine to depict white settlement as inherently disastrous in any event. It is celebrated as much or as far its nasty consequences are elucidated. And, the perspectives of native peoples OUGHT factor decisively anyway - it is no narrative flaw of The West to present this perspective... especially when facts abound to corroborate.
Also, to the aforementioned 'patriot' who seems fond of collectivising white America concerning all that overstated 'swell'stuff like "fighting communism" and "winning two World Wars" ... you're okay with maintaining the 'we' for all the OTHER stuff too, right?
The West does present narrative, production and continuity issues for me also, but I'm loathe to be allied to a K.P. such as thee.