MoviesNewsTalk
Jim Bridger was a prominent figure in the American West, known as a fur trapper, scout and trailblazer. A focus is also made on how "American Primeval" showcases Bridger as a real person through many lenses.
Jim Bridger is one of the characters in the new Netflix series "American Primeval" and is played by Shea Whigham. This depiction of him shows him in his 1850 era. This real-life figure is portrayed in several new facets that help add intrigue. The show is noted to be inspired by a story that has a real life link to both history and those involved.
Bridger was a man who transformed a fort that he owned into a trading hub located in present-day Wyoming for pioneers and Native Americans who were traveling across the west. He is seen in between those different groups making choices for survival.
The series uses some fictional characters that all find their stories interconnected to major points in real-life history, most notably the Mormon Utah wars . The real-life Jim Bridger in the midst of it is shown navigating the conflicts.
Bridger is put into a situation where he was often between The US Government, Mormon and Native American tribes and it forces to face difficult situations that he is required to find solutions. This demonstrates what that time frame represented to many in that position. His real world knowledge made it so he needed to make the best moves for him to ensure his longevity.
The storyline includes actual events from 1857 in the Utah Territory, one being The Mountain Meadows Massacre where many Mormon militia dressed as Native Americans attacked and killed pioneer emigrants. This moment sets off a chain of issues in the series and in the real world that have had a long lasting impact. The event set the stage for the events that happened in the show.
Fort Bridger was an actual fur trading post which is shown to also serve as an important place to get much needed supplies and also is seen as the place where many groups met. Due to what it represented for so many sides this made the Fort also sought after by those looking for power over others and created conflicts over this important landmark. The series recreates the space with huge props to give it authenticity for the period portrayed in the series .
While certain moments are directly from documented timelines and include specific persons the core group in this series are not factual. The family of the show which includes Sara, Devin, Issac, and Two Moons serve as fictional characters to the series though represent themes in what history has noted regarding this era.
The addition of these key players allowed the writing to expand upon concepts without sacrificing historical aspects. It gives viewers characters to relate to but also still maintain real life events of historical significance throughout the six episode run of the show.
In the final moments of Fort Bridger it shows the real Jim Bridger selling his space to Brigham Young then being set on fire, with that in the real world it also became part of the history. The fire and actions all follow a known path that demonstrates what has become history which was also influenced by the actions of real life persons.
The destruction of the fort highlights the conflict that was happening. That tension and unrest made many make decisions based on their individual safety as well as what they wanted for the future and the historical event had an important meaning within the show itself. It also mirrors the actual event where it was purposely lit to prevent use of the location by government officials.
The series shows Jim Bridger in between different factions showing his struggle as well to navigate such a complex situation. All aspects were taken in consideration from clothing to setting using consultation with actual specialists of this time line.
The team wanted to ensure that the true historical figures were delivered truthfully. Experts in Mormon culture, trapping techniques and other historical knowledge helped make what was being filmed authentic. A major focus in doing all this was to make sure no liberties were taken with portraying them as anyone other than what the historical record had noted of them.