Dream West
GenreHistorical novel-based
Drama
Based onDream West novel by David Nevin
Written byEvan Hunter
Directed byDick Lowry
StarringRichard Chamberlain
Ben Johnson
Rip Torn
Theme music composerFred Karlin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes3
Production
Executive producerChuck McLain
ProducerHunt Lowry
CinematographyRobert M. Baldwin
David Eggby
Jack Wallner
EditorsByron "Buzz" Brandt
Jack Fegan
Dennis Mosher
Running time337 minutes[1]
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseApril 13 (1986-04-13) –
April 20, 1986 (1986-04-20)

Dream West is a 1986 American television miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain and directed by Dick Lowry.

Development

The seven-hour miniseries was broken into three parts (2 hours, 2 hours, and 3 hours). Part 1 aired on Sunday, April 13, 1986.[2] It was the 16th most-watched show of that week.[3] Part 2 had been intended to follow the next day, but was postponed a day until April 15 due to a press conference by President Ronald Reagan about Libya (see 1986 United States bombing of Libya). Part 3 was moved to Sunday, April 20. Part 2 was the 15th most watched television show for its week, and Part 3 came in 8th place.[4]

Plot

The film was based on the 1984 novel of the same name by David Nevin, based on the life of 19th century explorer and politician John C. Frémont.[5][6][7][8][9][10]

Cast

Reception

The Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors (2009) refers to the film as a "bracing yet relatively little remembered miniseries."[11]

The film was released on DVD as part of the Warner Archive Collection in 2012.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b (13 November 2012). Dream West (mini-series) - Only Broadcast Once, This 1986 Richard Chamberlain Miniseries Comes to DVD Archived 2017-09-06 at the Wayback Machine, tvshowsondvd.com, Retrieved 6 September 2017
  2. ^ Holston, Noel (11 April 1986). Cbs' 'Dream West' Spirited Miniseries, Orlando Sentinel
  3. ^ (17 April 1986). Nielsen Ratings, Chicago Tribune
  4. ^ (24 April 1986). Nielsen Ratings, Chicago Tribune
  5. ^ Hevesi, Dennis (29 March 2011). David Nevin, 83, author of epic novel 'Dream West', The Boston Globe (reprint of New York Times obituary)
  6. ^ (13 April 1986). "Dream West' has Oklahoma flavor, Oklahoman
  7. ^ (11 April 1986). Up-and-down `Dream West` Tosses And Turns With Script, Chicago Tribune
  8. ^ Jarvis, Jeff (14 April 1986). Picks and Pans Review: Dream West, People (giving the series a D minus rating)
  9. ^ Shales, Tom (12 April 1986). TV Preview, The Washington Post
  10. ^ Bobbin, Jay (13 April 1986). Miniseries Kingpin Richard Chamberlain Blazes Another Trail As Adventurer In Cbs Drama, Orlando Sentinel
  11. ^ Roberts, Jerry. Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors, Part I, p. 350 (2009)

External links

Films directed by Dick Lowry
Works by Evan Hunter
Categories