The Donner Party (1992): cast, story & where to watch
1992 · Film · ★ 6.4
Released in 1992, The Donner Party is a history and documentary film directed by Ric Burns, running about 90 minutes.
What it’s about. Doomed attempt to get to California in 1846. More than just a riveting tale of death, endurance and survival. The Donner Party's nightmarish journey penetrated to the very heart of the American Dream at a crucial phase of the nation's "manifest destiny." Touching some of the most powerful social, economic and political currents of the time, this extraordinary narrative remains one of the most compelling and enduring episodes to come out of the West.
Who’s in it. The Donner Party stars David McCullough as Narrator (voice), J.D. Cannon as voice, Timothy Hutton as voice and Gene Jones as voice, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.4/10, The Donner Party has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on PBS Documentaries Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Donner Party page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Donner Party tend to enjoy Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Hacksaw Ridge and Green Book.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Donner Party (1992)?
- In US, The Donner Party is available to stream on PBS Documentaries Amazon Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Donner Party worth watching?
- The Donner Party holds an audience score of 6.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy history and documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Donner Party?
- The Donner Party stars David McCullough, J.D. Cannon, Timothy Hutton, Gene Jones and Amy Madigan.
- When was The Donner Party released?
- The Donner Party was released in 1992, with a runtime of about 90 minutes.