American Primeval

I did not know what to expect with this, but right from the outset the tone was set. Brutal, unforgiving, hard, and believable. This is based on a little known and hardly talked about piece of American history. It's not pretty. But it has you hooked from the beginning. I rarely give a rating this high but the production values, writing, acting, and direction were first class. There are not many people to feel sorry for in this tale, but when you find them, they are worthy of your emotions. You won't look atbMormons the same way again. A sort of ending that has a mixture of predictability, pathos, and unpredictability. Great battle scenes have you ducking, and grateful you are not there.

Captivating show although the story line is not too deep, but yet riveting and explanatory enough as clues are revealed throughout the mini-series. Bloody, action packed, beautiful terrain, and reminiscent of "the revenant" and "hostiles".

Great cast overall with Taylor Kistch who is perfect for his character, not too much time is spent diving into his backstory, but he is made for the mysterious and dangerous vibe.

The gloomy environment is in line with the times, 1800s wasn't exactly the "happiest" of times in America. It is interesting how it paints a different perspective of some of the sacrifices folks from different cultures and views had to make in order to coexist.

This series was awesome. Raw, violent and good character development. It's how the West was developed and involves many parties; Indians included.

I have a newborn at home and was up 1am till now and watched the entire series. Very well done. I assume it's a limited series and don't have additional seasons which is said.

The ensemble cast is ridiculous and awesome. Some big names only are in one episode but make the series what it is.

Costners American Boring Saga was painfully slow and I still am scratching my head trying to figure a plot if there is one.

This series gets you right into a plot of families expanding west and the trials and tribulations they experienced getting West.

Very appropriate name for series - epsisoeds 47 mins long and move fast. I am a huge fan.

I watched this over the course of a snow bound day and was glad to see a western story that was very different from the "popular" western series of the past years. Netflix released this as a complete limited series, which is such a relief after suffering through a bunch of series done in the old Big 3 network style of an episode a week.

We all know the network that released those recent series, and I do wish they would wake up to the fact that streaming did away with most of the viewers willing to put up with that game. Also, the recent western series are all done by the same guy using the same set of supporting actors, for the most part. That guy's work has worn out its welcome for me.

Anyway, this fine western has no episode filler, no interminable intro, and not too much anachronistic wokeness in the story line. The anachronisms in the weaponry and costumes isn't too much to bear and doesn't become a deal-breaker.

This story breaks the mold of western series, in several ways. It's storytelling that gets right to the point without all the padding that an ongoing TV series always has. We know right away when a character is a villain, without a multi-episode side story.

Western fans could well end up making this a very widely watched miniseries. I doubt that its success would convince the current makers of the old pattern of dragged out series, but that old model is dying off anyway.

I do hope that Netflix updates the IMDB pages for this show to give cast credits to some good actors who aren't listed, such as Irene Bedard and Jeremiah Bitsui. The cast is excellent, IMO.

At a time when streaming platforms are inundated with content that often feels formulaic, it's rare to encounter a series that grips you with such immediacy and authenticity. This miniseries, which I stumbled upon purely by chance on its premiere day, turned out to be a remarkable discovery-an unassuming masterpiece that exceeded my expectations in every way.

What sets this series apart is its unflinchingly unsentimental approach to storytelling. By eschewing overly contrived emotional cues, it allows moments of genuine emotional depth to emerge organically, packing an understated yet profound impact. It's a raw, fast-paced, and intense experience that remains grounded and purposeful, never slipping into excess or artifice.

Visually, the series is a triumph. The meticulous attention to detail-whether in the period-accurate costumes, evocative set designs, or the dynamic and immersive camerawork-creates an unparalleled sense of presence. You're not merely observing events unfold from a distance; you're drawn into the action, experiencing the urgency and stakes alongside the characters.

While I often find action-heavy narratives reliant on spectacle at the expense of substance, this series defies that trend. Here, the brisk pacing and raw, visceral moments of violence serve as an extension of the story's thematic core, amplifying its authenticity rather than detracting from it.

From the first episode, the series establishes a gripping rhythm that's impossible to resist.

If this miniseries isn't recognized during awards season, it would be nothing short of an oversight. The precision of its costume design, the evocative score, the sharp direction, and the captivating performance by its lead actress deserve every accolade.

In many ways, this is more than just one of the best Netflix offerings in recent memory; it's a reminder of what storytelling can achieve when ambition meets artistry. For an industry that often prioritizes marketability over originality THIS is why I still am a subscriber.