AMERICAN FRONTIER & WESTERN U.S. HISTORY / BIOGRAPHIES

Chronicles the way the West was lost and won between 1845 and 1893. It looks at the final decades of the American frontier from the time of the Gold Rush until after the last gasp of the Indian wars at Wounded Knee.

Narrated by Academy Award Winner Kevin Costner, and directed by Emmy Award winner Ric Burns, People of the Standing Stone: The Oneida Nation, The War of Independence, and The Making of America explores the little known, yet crucial history of the extraordinary contributions of one Native American people-the Oneidas-who during the darkest hours of the Revolutionary War became the only member of the Six Nation Iroquois Confederacy to side with rebelling colonists. This powerful and sweeping film, is a moving and unique cinematic experience that sheds light on an American story that has gone shamefully overlooked in the annals of American history.

Stephen Ives' "The West" is a PBS 4-Video Series co-produced by Ken Burns: - "Death Runs Riot" 85 min. - "Fight No More Forever" 85 min. - "Ghost Dance" 58 min. - "The People" 82 min.

The clash between Native American and European cultures during the 1800s is chronicled via archival photos, location photography and comments from descendants of Indian leaders.

In a period when many thought that "the only good Indian is a dead Indian," Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce won the admiration of the American public.

This documentary series, which was made in 1992, shows stories of how the real West was created and separates fact from fiction. Hosted by Kenny Rogers

"Buffalo Soldiers: George Jordan and the Indian Wars" is a poignant examination of the marginalized history of the Buffalo Soldiers - African American servicemen who bravely served in numerous conflicts only to face scorn, ridicule, and suppression of their stories back home. The film's epicenter is George Jordan, a formerly enslaved man turned soldier whose exemplary courage in battles etches a stark contrast against his forgotten legacy. Juxtaposing the resistance of Apache Chiefs and braves with Jordan's unwavering will to protect his comrades and white settlers, the narrative challenges us to reconcile often overlooked aspects of the formation of the West. With a stark reminder of Jordan's decline due to his heroic yet under-acknowledged efforts and the refusal of the Army to provide him with care, the film crescendos into a plea for recognition of the Buffalo Soldiers, ultimately asking what we can give to make our country better.

In 1866, as the U.S. modernized its military, the Army Reorganization Act allowed Native Americans to enlist as scouts, heralding a profound era of change. Amidst this backdrop, the film unfolds the story of Baptiste Garnier, a half Oglala Sioux, half French-Canadian scout known as "Little Bat." Torn between his Sioux roots and his U.S. allegiances, he navigated the brutal Indian wars and was at the heart of pivotal battles, including the tragic Wounded Knee massacre. Although perceived as a bridge between two worlds, Baptiste's duality often led him to make heartbreaking decisions. By the time of his untimely death in 1900, shot by a white bartender over a bar tab dispute, he epitomized the complex weave of identity and legacy, raising questions about the cost of serving two peoples in a divided America.

A look into the 19th century American-Indian Wars, Manifest Destiny, and the conflicts between Apache tribes and the African-American Buffalo soldier regiments.

The dark recesses of American history unfurl as "The Sioux: From Red Cloud to Wounded Knee" delves deep into the U.S-Indian wars, an era often shrouded in misconceptions. This cinematic journey uncovers the shifting attitudes towards Native Americans, oscillating between the revered "Noble Savage" and the feared "Savage Savage." As the U.S. expands westward, encroaching on Native lands, tensions surge, leading to the strategic establishment of the Bozeman Trail through Sioux territory. Chief Red Cloud's fierce resistance culminates in the Treaty of Fort Laramie, a significant but fleeting victory for the Sioux. However, the promise of peace shatters with the U.S.'s relentless intrusion into the sacred Black Hills, pushing both sides to the brink. The narrative takes a poignant turn when the Ghost Dance religion emerges, a spiritual outcry born from despair and a yearning to reclaim a lost world. The climax is a heart-wrenching recollection of the Wounded Knee Massacre, where the deaths of innocent Sioux tribesmen, predominantly women and children, serve as a haunting reminder of the tumultuous relationship between the settlers and the Native Americans. Through intense dialogues and reflections, the film challenges viewers to confront the moral complexities of war and ponder the cost of progress. As modernity dawns, the shared pain of Wounded Knee remains an indelible scar, urging societies to remember, reconcile, and respect.

The all-black US Cavalry Troop H pursues Apache warrior Victorio while dealing with racial bigotry and myths about their designated enemies.

A respected black cavalry sergeant stands court-martial after being accused of raping and killing a white woman as well as murdering her father, his superior officer.

Adventures of an all-African-American cavalry unit assigned to the post-Civil War Southwest to protect settlers from Commanche and Apache warriors.

As the United States recovered from the bloody aftermath of the Civil War, Congress passed the Reorganization Act in 1866, that created the first-ever all-Black peacetime regiments. These six regiments would be reduced to four - the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry - and soon earn the moniker Buffalo Soldiers. Although they never received the true and full recognition they deserved, Black Patriots: Buffalo Soldiers, will tell their remarkable story of their valor, bravery, and service. From the complicated skirmishes in the Southwest against Native Americans to the heroic battles on foreign soil to the ongoing fight to be treated as first-class citizens, the Buffalo Soldiers served with pride, dignity, and belief in defending a free America. This one-hour documentary introduces viewers to men, many of whom were formally enslaved, like George Jordan, who will learn to read and write in the Army and rise to the position of Sergeant and receive the Medal of Honor. Other significant figures include Horace Bivins and George Berry, who will upstage Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War; and Sgt. Henry Flipper, the first African American to graduate from West Point. However, with all the medals and valor on the battlefield, the Buffalo Soldiers were not immune to racism and professional setbacks. Soldiers like Colonel Charles Young, the third African American to graduate from West Point, will advance to Colonel but fall short of becoming the first Black General. With the help of military experts, historians, and Buffalo Soldiers' descendants, and supported with historic photography and documents, and original illustrations, Black Patriots: The Buffalo Soldiers recalls an important time in American history, spotlighting the soldiers that played a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the Nation. Their acts of resilience on and off the battlefield paved the way for future generations of African American military men and women. Their empowering story is as relevant today as it was over a century ago.

A highly fictionalized account of the life of George Armstrong Custer from his arrival at West Point in 1857 to his death at the battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876.

The misadventures of the staff and neighbors of a remote U.S. Army outpost in the Wild West.

Rare unsold western TV show pilots, anthology and western series episodes. Neglected for years some never transferred to digital format until now. Hundreds of shows are being rescued for this series.

This musical short features four songs associated with the western United States. The first two were written in the 19th century, the others in the 20th. After the initial rendition of each song, Art Gilmore invites the audience to sing along as the lyrics are shown on the screen.

A poor but feisty Chinese woman, disguised as a boy, joins the railroad crew in the Rocky Mountains to search for her long-lost father, and falls in love with the son of the railroad tycoon.

A sixteen episode mini-series of the history of America.

The life stories of various historical figures and celebrities are told.

A group of bandits stage a brazen train hold-up, only to find a determined posse hot on their heels.