| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CT•Ranger |
Posted - March 16 2005 : 4:39:18 PM
TNT and DreamWorks have teamed up for a new epic western mini-series titled "Into The West." It has a huge cast including Wes Studi as Cheyenne chief Black Kettle, Russell Means as "Running Fox" and Tatanka Means as Crazy Horse. The cast also includes Sean Astin, Tom Berenger, Gary Busey, Beau Bridges, Graham Greene, Keri Russell, and Skeet Ulrich to name just a few. Looks pretty good.
Into The West |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Irishgirl |
Posted - March 05 2006 : 3:17:57 PM
Overall I enjoyed this mini-series very much and I agree with the comments about Eric as "Sitting Bull" He should have been given a different role in this series. He was made to look "ugly" again. I prefer him more Uncas-like myself but he is not afraid to try different roles and definitely not afraid to look "ugly" on camera. My favorite part of the whole series was the Naomi part where she married her "captor" He was one good looking guy and won her over in the end. |
| micha74b |
Posted - July 26 2005 : 5:29:53 PM
thanks! ;-) |
| Stephanie |
Posted - July 26 2005 : 09:51:12 AM
Michaela,
Thanks for the link! It looks like you do pretty well with the English language...better than many of us! :-)
Stephanie |
| UncasLover13 |
Posted - July 26 2005 : 01:14:16 AM
Stephanie,
I love Eric Schweig (as all of you know)and I thought he did a wonderful job as Sitting Bull (although he looks nothing like the REAL Sitting Bull), but he just didn't have a big enough part to really get me into his character, do you know what I mean? With the older Voices that Carry, I felt that I KNEW him and all of the obstacles he was trying to overcome. I just really liked his character. I briefly saw the younger Voices that Carry, and what I saw I liked...he had a lot of emotion, and I thought he did really well...it's just the middle episodes didn't interest me as much. But, you're right, when I get the DVD, I'll be sure to catch up on what I missed and maybe I'll like the episodes more.
--Nora |
| micha74b |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 10:53:42 PM
Stephanie,
It should be out Oct. 4. You can order it here: http://www.dreamworks.com/dreamworks_tv.php |
| micha74b |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 10:48:50 PM
I loved Into The West. I just felt rushed through the series sometimes when they skipped several years. Maybe I just got attached to the characters and wondered what happened. Russell Means did a wonderful job and so did Michael Spears as Dog Star. I will get the DVD. Maybe Eric should have had a bigger part in it. I wonder what he is up to next. (Sorry for my english, I am German and I mix the words and grammar around sometimes!) |
| Stephanie |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 10:32:18 PM
Gosh I thought the DVD wasn't coming out until next June. October is good news.
Nora you don't mention how you liked Sitting Bull.???????????????
I liked the adult Voices That Carry also but did you see the actor who portrayed him as a child, too? He makes those middle episodes worth watching. I agree that the earlier episodes were better, too. Maybe when the DVD comes out we can catch up on the things we missed!
Steph |
| UncasLover13 |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 9:21:55 PM
Yeah, I also didn't catch all the episodes. I watched the first three because those were definitely the best. But once the 4th one hit, I must admit I kinda lost interest. As much as I loved all of it, it just wasn't as good as the earlier ones. I did however, catch the final episode, and let me tell you, I loved that one! I thought the actor, Chaske Spencer (the older version of Voices that Carry) was amazing! Surprisingly, he turned out to be my favorite of the entire series. I thought he portrayed his character with so much depth, it was amazing. The DVD's coming out in October...and I can't wait to get it!!
--Nora |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 11:44:15 AM
I'm with you Rich, - the first few segments were far superior to the rest. Actually, I shouldn't say that, because I'd didn't watch a couple of the later episodes, it lost my interest. |
| Many Flags |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 08:21:38 AM
Ahhhh, the graveyard, (Many Flags, here). You know, it was moved to the spot it now rests. It had originally been located where the parking lot for the football field is. So, that in itself, is a real problem for Natives, and others also. Disturbing the "peaceful" rest of those children. The graveyard can be eerie and very sad. You should take a walk through it sometime. It's been a while since I have walked there or on the grounds. I used to take folks on tours and explain the areas that are now War College, that were once Indian School. It's a very interesting experience. Pax Aye! Many Flags |
| Bookworm |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 08:07:07 AM
Right, Serjeant! As you know, I'm sure, the cemetery containing the graves of the students who died at the Carlisle Indian School is located next to the road that runs behind the War College. Every time I stop for the red light there, I look at the names on the tombstones. When "Into the West" is released on DVD, I'll have to watch at least the segment on the Indian School to see how it's portrayed. |
| richfed |
Posted - July 23 2005 : 10:39:02 AM
OK ... and now it is over ...
I definitely liked the early episodes best ... the Carlisle School segment was also good ... as was Wounded Knee. I thought the rest paled in comparison. Somebody told me it reminded them of "Lonesome Dove." No way. "Lonesome Dove" was far and away superior to this.
Again, perhaps my biggest disappointment with this show was Eric Schweig as Sitting Bull. Terrible.
Sitting Bull was a striking man ... study those features. The argument that Eric Schweig was made to look ugly for the role doesn't make sense to me. Today's Eric is not 1991s. Russell Means might have been far superior in the role.
Anyway ... overall, I liked it enough to buy the DVD when it comes out. |
| Sjt. Malcolm MacWilliam |
Posted - July 23 2005 : 07:00:30 AM
As I mentioned.....WE are back (Sjt. MacWm., Many Flags and Dr. Uncle Mark).....and checked to see the Board Wisdom on Into the West. Dr. UM did his doctoral dissertation on Pratt and the Carlisle Indian School and we only live a few miles from there (right, Bookworm?).....so we wanted to see what the scenes were from that. Interesting.....it is a hot issue and raises the hackles of many people. The documentation and research doesn't always parallel the emotional aspects. Anyway, WE had trouble watching the episodes of out west with Natives....."I" thought some of it quite hokey, but then it is Hollywood.....and most people know what "I" think of say The Patriot, etc.!! The scenes of Carlisle weren't that far off, although embellished quite a bit. All for now. Slante' Malcolm |
| CT•Ranger |
Posted - July 18 2005 : 1:29:46 PM
Overall, I've been fairly dissapointed with this series. I expected more from Spielburg and DreamWorks, something on the level of "Band of Brothers." I suspect "Into The West" suffered from a very limited budget. Early on in the series there were many glaring innaccuracies in events portrayed, as well as clothing and weapons. The series jumped around too much and didn't stick to a strict chronology. In one scene it's 1849 then it jumps forward "10 years" to 1861. I'm not a mathematician, but even I can do basic arithmatic. There's also large plot holes. The most annoying thing about the series is that they keep changing the actors for the same characters. As the characters grow older they're replaced by different actors which kinda look similar, but not really. That's understandable for child characters, but for adult characters it's completely unnecessary. I beleive "Thunder Heart Woman" has been portrayed by three different actresses as she has aged from a young adult to an old woman. And Jacob Wheeler by at least two, maybe three different actors. It's hard enough keeping track of who's who with all the different cousins etc, without changing the the actors on us. When "Into the West" is on, I usually just have it on in the background while I'm doing something else, as it barely holds my interest.
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| Stephanie |
Posted - July 17 2005 : 10:02:59 PM
WW,
I think you bring up a good point about "balance." Of course the Indian children were victims but I'm glad they showed white people (Robert and Clara) who tried to do good as well. I, too, have greatly enjoyed watching the young man who portrays "Voices That Carry"... he is a good actor. His face is so expressive that he can carry a scene at times without saying a word, and without overacting as well. Good job!!!
Stephanie |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - July 17 2005 : 11:20:28 AM
Hi Theresa! Good to "see" you! Actually, this weekend is Episode 5 and next weekend is the final one, Episode 6. (Maybe that is what you meant, and we just used different wording?  Gary and I used to do that a lot!)
Hmmmmm... I have mixed feelings about Eric's role as Sitting Bull.
Remember that he is portraying a man who was in his early forties, at that time. I don't know whether Eric was instructed to put on weight for this role... (Chris??)... but I think the heaviness of his face was not appropriate. I think Sitting Bull, as a strong, still young, active warrior and chief would have looked leaner and more fit.
I know that all of us ladies would have much rather seen Eric as a younger, thinner man, in a more virile and sexy role... however, I think that what he did in that role was good. I gather we will be seeing more of Eric/Sitting Bull next week.
Changing focus...what did you all think about the balance of the show, about the children being taken away to the Carlisle School? I found that to be incredibly poignant, as it was supposed to be. And the portrayal of the young boy Voices That Carry, by Nakota Larance, is wonderful. I think we will see good things from him.
Just outside of Salem, Oregon, where I used to live, there is a boarding school for Native American children...Chemawa Indian School. I remember driving past it many, many times, and when in high school, I met two very nice young "Eskimo" men who were living at the school. Chemawa Indian School, soon to be celebrating it's 125th birthday celebration, is the oldest continuously operating boarding school in the United States and numbers its graduates in the thousands.
Chemawa Indian School
Established in February 1880 as the Training School for Indian Youth, the Chemawa school for Indians is an off-reservation boarding school located in Oregon that serves tribes throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. At the time of its founding in Forest Grove, Oregon, the school offered Indians the opportunity to earn an education and assimilate into mainstream society. Over time, however, its primary goal became providing training in vocational skills that would serve graduates both on and off the reservation.
Fire destroyed most of the original school in 1885, which prompted a move to a new location at Chemawa, Oregon, and the renaming of the facility. Students took an active role in rebuilding and caring for the school, and by 1922 enrollment had climbed to over one thousand students. In 1927, Chemawa became a fully accredited four-year high school.
Chemawa's focus has changed in the past century. It began as a coercive and authoritarian institution, became vocationally oriented in the early twentieth century, and later tried to incorporate native traditions into a general academic curriculum. Though initially unpopular with native students, Chemawa has survived various attempts by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to close it, thanks mainly to the support of Northwest tribes who have taken pride in the school's accomplishments and for whom it assumed an important role in the education of their children.
Schools for Indian children... yet another horrible chapter in our past, but changing for the good. |
| Theresa |
Posted - July 17 2005 : 08:37:19 AM
quote:
I'll second THAT vote, for sure!  And wouldn't it have been interesting to listen in on the conversations between these three reunited actors while they worked together again on this project??? I wonder if they reminisced about LOTM at all...
quote:
I'd bet they did ... after all, all three attended Mohican Gatherings! ['99, '01, '04]
Reckon they sat around and talked about us?  This has been a really good mini series. This weekend is the final episode, though. |
| Kaylynn44 |
Posted - July 17 2005 : 07:20:48 AM
I missed watching "Into the West" this weekend, but am beginning to wonder if I really missed anything. Heck, I have to watch it. I have enjoyed all of the episodes so far. 
As far as Eric goes, I have only seen him as Sitting Bull on the website, but I think that any time that a good looking man or woman that will downplay their looks or even make themselves ugly for a role, says alot for them. They really want to act and not just show off how good looking they are, but as Stephanie said, I am sure that all of the Uncas-swooners would have liked him to play another role.
I will make sure to watch it tonight.
Love,
Kay |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - July 17 2005 : 06:35:23 AM
I switched to an old John Wayne movie, ... |
| Stephanie |
Posted - July 16 2005 : 11:10:59 PM
I totally agree about Sitting Bull. Eric Schweig might have made a better Dog Star, or even the cheif from an earlier episode who "marries" Naomi, one of the Wheeler cousins. But not Sitting Bull! I'm sure the Uncas-swooners would agree that they would like to see him in a different role than this one. His voice was the only thing familiar about him.
And speaking of voices, wasn't it great to hear Wes Studi's magnificent voice a week or so ago? How nice to see him!
My husband wondered about the Little Bighorn scenes as well. My theory was that it's been done and discussed to death so perhaps that's why they sped through it so quickly. As a work of historical fiction, the focus is more on the causes and events surrounding the battle and its effect on the characters. Perhaps detailed battle scenes belong in documentaries? Just a thought.
I do feel there are some editing issues with this series though. There are times when I feel like I've missed something although I'm sure I haven't left the room. It could be that more of the battle was filmed but was cut for time limitations. Rich, with your passion for Little Bighorn, perhaps you will lead the petition drive for a Director's Cut DVD? LOL! <ducking before something is thrown at me!>
Stephanie |
| richfed |
Posted - July 16 2005 : 10:05:49 AM
I am continuing to enjoy this, but was terribly disappointed in last night's depiction of the Battle of Little Bighorn. Where was Crazy Horse? Or, didI miss something ...
I know this will incur the wrath of many, but Eric Schweig as Sitting Bull? I don't think so ... a terrible casting choice, IMO. Oh well ... good series, nonetheless. |
| vincent |
Posted - June 28 2005 : 10:55:33 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Cherie
I must say that I have really been ejoying this show...We haven't missed a single one. Have been recording in on the DVR. So just watched the 3rd one tonight. It is the one with Russell in it. Doesn't have a very big role, and didn't say a whole lot either. I didn't know he was going to be in it, so when we saw him, well I had to stop and pause it to be sure.
For those who don't know. July 8 (9th and 10th same episode) will air WES!!! He has what seems a much larger role.
Watch if you can. It has been very good
Cherie, I too have been using a DVR Isn't this the greatest invention since sliced bread and the wheel?
Vincent |
| Stephanie |
Posted - June 28 2005 : 10:26:58 AM
I've been enjoying it as well. I usually find it hard ot sit through a movie (guess it's attention deficit disorder!) but when this comes on, I don't budge from in front of the tv! THAT's saying a lot. If you miss even 5 minutes, you've missed a lot.
Cherie, in case you missed the earlier posting, Eric Schweig will be on at some point, too! You might not recognize him, though. Here is a link to the website: http://alt.tnt.tv/itw/ Go there (if the link doesn't work try to copy and paste) and click on the cast and crew. On my computer the pictures of the cast take a minute to load but it's worth it to check it out.
Can't wait for July 8's episode with Wes! I hope they eventually pick up the story of Naomi, the cousin who now lives with the Indians, and also the brother who went to Texas. We'll see!
Stephanie |
| Diane B. |
Posted - June 28 2005 : 10:09:59 AM
I'm enjoying this series immensely & even though it was a small part, it was great to see Russell Means again. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Wes in the upcoming episode & I'm keeping my eyes open for Eric Schweig, as well! Too bad they couldn't have convinced DD-L to put in an appearance, as well...<sigh>... |
| Gadget Girl |
Posted - June 28 2005 : 10:04:05 AM
I've been watching AND ENJOYING this too!!! When Jacob Wheeler returns to ThunderHeart Woman - OMIGOD!!! That was AWESOME!!! Haven't seen this actor much that portrays Jacob, but remember him as the "First Love" of Ashley Judd in the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. I love how the story follows two extended families (one indian and one white) through this time in history. I will definitely own this on DVD if/when available!
Can't wait to see Wes on the next episode! There are LOTS of familiar faces in this program.
GG |
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