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American Primeval is a historical drama mini-series on Netflix. The show explores a look at the American West with all the struggles during that period of time.
The series takes place in the Utah territory in 1857 and shows a period of great tension between Mormons, Pioneers, and Native American tribes. With the backdrop of conflict it explores historical events including the Mountain Meadow Massacre and a look into real life characters . The show offers a depiction of hardship, survival and conflict.
The limited series draws influence from Peter Berg who came across the Mountain Meadows Massacre and conducted a great deal of research and used real life events along with mixing in fictional character’s and plot lines. The blending of facts and story lines create the basis of the program for viewership and its authenticity.
The series portrays a mixture of real and fictional characters which gives a wider scope and range of the conflicts during that specific era.
Characters such as Jim Bridger , a pioneer and also Brigham Young leader of the Mormon church. Others such as Wild Bill Hickman were also depicted on screen using past recorded details of actions and motivations during that time period which were well recorded.
A large percentage of this shows success was from the main characters all of which were fictional and were there to create interest for the series, those included Sara Rowell and her son, Issac Reed and Two Moons which brought viewers to be more immersed into what this world could have offered from an unbiased set of eye’s.
The first episode featured the Mountain Meadows Massacre with scenes depicting how members of the Mormon army ambushed settlers and the events that took place there are directly from historical facts. This was described by a producer as a beginning inciting event. The scene was used to establish character interactions while setting the tone for how the show would continue with violent encounters and high stake events.
There was extensive research that took place prior to filming the scenes for this historic incident to ensure authenticity and validity in storytelling. Resources used include historians and the use of past recorded documents to best illustrate accurate portrayals of those moments that took place so many years ago. The show’s producers felt the need to present the multiple layers behind the attack.
fort bridger in the series is a real life location used during the 1850’s. The location was known as a trading post. The set built by production even featured the detail in hand cut tree's from old tools to create an exact setting from history with all authenticity considered. The series also has another historically accurate depiction when Mormons destroy Fort Bridger. This location becomes a huge part of many conflicts and meetings.
“American Primeval” explores several complex themes by looking into a chaotic period of American history. Topics including: violence, personal choice, control over territory, struggles of survival, human conflict all get represented within this one program making it more than just an exploration of the time but also into human nature. The constant theme of "survival of the fittest" is very visible with each moment that passes onscreen.
Throughout each new challenge many individuals face decisions that make them who they become on their new journey. As new conflicts are added each decision shifts the moral compass of character’s to test their loyalty or drive and what their end goal truly becomes during each chapter.
The show contains brutal and harsh scenes with an overall feeling of discomfort for the audience with constant struggles along the way. The use of intense visuals, and authentic landscapes create moments that emphasize both the desperation and violence throughout the period portrayed. Production used details from no birdsong to harsh winter settings to immerse the audience into the harsh world which has also become a source of connection among various streaming viewers of today.
Some critics note that although the performances are solid and the detail is there with visual accuracy they would argue the themes do not provide much that has not been previously noted with other period programs. Overall though there is recognition that “American Primeval” takes a deeper look at human history within the show.
The show’s use of multiple settings ranging from native camps to harsh landscapes all add to what makes it so immersive. Despite violence throughout the message is meant to leave with how fragile life was during the 1850s and how human actions lead to the story. Despite the use of intense moments and raw emotion many are interested and look to it for it's storytelling of this historical content.