Life in the True Wild West Unveiled
Kevin Costner, at the age of 70, is set to release a new eight-part documentary series titled "Kevin Costner's The West" on the History Channel. The series premieres in Germany on September 7 at 8:15 PM, and will also be available to stream on WOW, History Play on Amazon, and YouTube.
This docu-series aims to delve into the history of the Wild West, focusing on the power struggle and land conflicts, as well as key personalities of the era. Costner believes that the series will show that the West was not a romanticized place, but a harsh and dangerous land that had a significant impact on the nation's history.
The series tells of women who challenged societal barriers in a thoroughly patriarchal world, abolitionists who fought moral battles, and indigenous people protecting their land. It incorporates diverse perspectives, including those of women, opponents of slavery, and Native Americans, to expand the realistic epoch panorama.
Costner serves as the moderator and narrator of the series, using detailed historical research and staged scenes to tell the story. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the history of Native Americans and the role of women in shaping the drama of the era.
The historian who worked with Costner on the documentary series is Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian. Historical material, precise reenactments, and expert voices merge into a dense mosaic, with each episode opening a new chapter of this contradictory era.
Costner wants to deconstruct the myth that the conquest of the American West was a simple and straightforward process, stating that it was complicated and harder than anyone could imagine. He seeks to overcome the numerous clichΓ©s associated with the Wild West, and in doing so, presents a more accurate and nuanced portrayal of the era.
The series intertwines bloody battles and personal fates, from the triumph of Chief Little Turtle over the US Army to the stubborn resistance of Blackfeet, Comanche, and Lakota Sioux under their leaders like Red Cloud and Crazy Horse. Costner's series shows a struggle for territory and influence, in which explorers, settlers, outlaws, and visionaries all sought - and defended - their place.
In addition to "Kevin Costner's The West", the History Channel is showing a themed weekend on the history of North America, including other documentaries such as "Sitting Bull" and "The Struggle for America". Costner emphasizes that history is not complete without women's perspectives, and the series reflects this belief by featuring the stories of women who challenged societal norms during this tumultuous time.
Costner invested a lot of his own money in a four-film series, with the second part postponed to an indefinite date. Despite the delay, the first part of "Kevin Costner's The West" promises to be a compelling and enlightening exploration of the Wild West, offering a fresh perspective on a well-trodden topic.
