Netflix’s Western,American Primeval, has become a massive success for the streamer due to its graphic portrayal of events taking place in Utah in 1857. Though the series has garnered mixed critical reviews,Netflix audiences loveAmerican Primeval. The show does not shy away from depicting the real violence that occurred during that time, and it shows this through a perfect blend of fiction and nonfiction. While some of the characters are made up to help move the plot along,American Primevalis based on real eventsand real people.
American Primevaldelves deeply into the conflict between the Mormons and other settlers of the Utah territory, especially followingthe Mountain Meadows massacre. This real event sets the tone for the series and establishes context for what happens to many of the characters. However, one real character,Jim Bridger, who was not involved in the massacre, does play a large role in shaping the outcome of the show. Bridger was a real-life mountain man and wilderness guide who was involved in several important events in American history, and his story has been explored in film several times.
Both Kit Carson and Jim Bridger are real historical figures who did know each other and traveled together in real life, so it makes perfect sense that the 1940 movieKit Carsonwould feature both men. However, that does not mean that the movie is entirely accurate about the relationship that they had or their connection to historical events.Kit Carsontakes place during the Mexican American war, specifically the California Campaign, as Carson and several other men are traveling west. After the men are attacked, they go to Fort Bridger, which also appears inAmerican Primeval.
Fort Bridger was established in 1842, and the events ofKit Carsonplace it in 1846 or 1847, meaning that the Fort was still quite new.
While Jim Bridger is not one of the main characters inKit Carson, Raymond Hatton’s supporting role does confirm just how important Bridger was in the history of the American West. Though it is not fully explored inKit Carson,Carson and Bridger worked together as mountain men in the 1830s prior to the establishment of Fort Bridgerand the historical context ofKit Carson. As withAmerican Primeval, though there are certainly creative liberties taken with historical facts in fictional shows and movies, it is incredibly interesting to see different perspectives on historical events.
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Like many older Hollywood Westerns,Kit Carsonpresents a very biased view of history. The American settlers are presented as rightfully traveling west to California, while the Mexican and Shoshone Native Americans who attempt to harm them during their journey are presented as the villains. SinceAmerican Primevalpresents a more updated approach to the realities of American history, it is important to remember that the views presented in older shows and movies may be offensive, representing views that people like Kit Carson may have actually had.
Just asAmerican Primevalcombines historical events with fiction, so too doesTomahawk. In the 1951 movie,Jim Bridger features as a wilderness guidefor fur traders who proves helpful in protecting a traveling group. This provides a sharp contrast to his smaller role inAmerican Primeval, in which he is only associated with the events surrounding Fort Bridger. Since he is such an impressive historical figure that is well-known beyond his establishment of the fort,Tomahawkprovides a nice addition to the new show.
The film presents fictionalized versions of the Fetterman Fight and the Wagon Box Fight in Wyoming, which occurred in 1866 and 1867, respectively.
However, many of the real events that served as inspiration forTomahawkdid not actually include Jim Bridger.Tomahawkcenters on individuals in a traveling show attempting to get across America who are aided by Bridger. The film presents fictionalized versions of the Fetterman Fight and the Wagon Box Fight in Wyoming, which occurred in 1866 and 1867, respectively. By this point in time in real life, Jim Bridger’s health had already begun to decline, sowhile the story is certainly interesting,Tomahawkwas not truly historically accurate.
In real life, Jim Bridger spent decades exploring the American West from as far north as the Canadian border to as far south as Colorado, but historical accounts do not suggest that Bridger was a part of a Wild West show, asThe Gun That Won the Westsuggests. The movie focuses on the US military’s desire to build forts on Sioux land, and Bridger is hired to help in this process. Bridger, along with another man known as “Dakota Jack”, are hired due to their positive relationship with the Sioux leaders, but there is still clear tension between the groups.
Jim Bridger is certainly a central character inThe Gun That Won the West, but as can be inferred by the title, the movie reflects on the US Army’s desire to use the Springfield Model 1865 rifle to win battles against Native American groups in Wyoming. While Bridger is skeptical of the need for violence in discussions with the Sioux leaders, the different groups resort to violence anyway. In contrast to his rugged real-life persona,the Jim Bridger ofThe Gun That Won the Westis portrayed as much less well versed at surviving in the wildernessand communicating with Native American leaders.
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Additionally, as is the case with many older films, there is a romantic subplot which draws focus from the reality of the historical circumstances portrayed. While this approach may have been more popular at the time,the romance gives the movie a completely different feel toAmerican Primeval. ThoughThe Gun That Won the Westmay not be very historically accurate, it is an interesting look into how past filmmakers have wanted to incorporate the legendary figure into semi-fictional stories to give them more credence.
Jim Bridger’s name and legacy as a mountain man with a talent for carving westward paths out of rugged terrain is one thing that has repeatedly gained attention in fictional portrayals of his life, and this is certainly the case for the 1976 made-for-TV movieBridger. James Wainwright played Bridger and Ben Murphy played Kit Carson. Opposite the portrayals of real men, Sally Field appeared as the fictional character Jennifer Melford, making her arguably the most well-known of the cast.
Later in life, Jim Bridger moved back to Missouri, where he had lived as a child, and passed away in 1881 at the age of 77.
The TV movie centers on Jim Bridger who is tasked with creating a new trail through the Rocky Mountainswhich will allow American settlers to make their way to California. However, if he is unable to complete this in 40 days, the English will take the territory instead. The movie has a very strong focus on drama and Bridger’s reputation for developing new routes, as he did with the Bridger Trail and Bridger Pass in real life.Bridgeruses a combination of real historical people and fake people and circumstances in the same way asAmerican Primeval, creating an interesting watch.
Though technically a miniseries rather than a movie,Centennialis still a thrilling watch that features Jim Bridger and is a great watch afterAmerican Primeval. Based on the book of the same name,Centennialtakes place over the course of nearly 200 years in a fictional town in Colorado. The series explores the settlement of the Colorado area in the 1700s through modern environmental and social changes to the town in the 1970s.The limited series was well received and was even nominated for two Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.
Centennialis the perfect watch for fans ofAmerican Primevalwho are interested in a sweeping story with compelling characters that links the past and the present.
Though Jim Bridger is not a primary character in the series, asCentenniallargely focuses on the Pasquinel and McKeag families and their descendants, as a part of American history he does still appear as the characters move west.LikeAmerican Primeval, the series does not shy away from the dangers that were present in the American West, and many of the characters face injuries, illness and even death.Centennialis the perfect watch for fans ofAmerican Primevalwho are interested in a sweeping story with compelling characters that links the past and the present.
The most well-known movie to feature Jim Bridger is 2015’sThe Revenant. The Iñárritu movie starred Leonardo DiCaprio as the frontiersman Hugh Glass, along with Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, and Will Poulter as Jim Bridger. The movie recounts the true story of Glass being mauled by a grizzly bear and left for dead by his traveling party in present day South Dakota in 1823.The movie was very well received and was nominated for and won numerous awards, including three Oscars from 12 nominations, five BAFTAs from eight nominations, and three Golden Globes from four nominations.
As the story goes, the movie sees Glass’s companions, two men named John Fitzgerald and Jim Bridger, abandon him after being chased by Native Americans.
The Revenantfollows Glass’s search for revenge after being left alone with grave injuries, as well as the harrowing lengths that he went to to survive. As the story goes, the movie sees Glass’s companions, two men named John Fitzgerald and Jim Bridger, abandon him after being chased by Native Americans.The Revenantalso dramatizes Fitzgerald’s motives, making him the true villain of the story. The popular movie is theperfect prequel toAmerican Primevalbecause of Bridger’s involvement in the story and the brutality and violence present in each.
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While bothThe RevenantandAmerican Primevalfeature Jim Bridger as an important character, there is one big caveat to the real story. It is hard to determine if Jim Bridger was actually there. In historical accounts of Hugh Glass’s mauling and subsequent trek back to Fort Kiowa,the companion played by Will Poulter inThe Revenantis actually referred to as “Bridges”(viahughglass.org). Moreover, years later, Jim Bridger actually stated that he was not there. While it may not be 100% accurate,The Revenant’s depiction of Jim Bridger is a thrilling follow-up toAmerican Primeval.
