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How the West Was Won

Epic western about three generations of a pioneer family, showing how its fortunes fluctuated during the dynamic westward expansion of America during the 19th century.

Epic western about three generations of a pioneer family, showing how its fortunes fluctuated during the dynamic westward expansion of America during the 19th century. Three top directors each tackle separate episodes of the story, filmed in the short-lived three-camera Cinerama process, and with an all-star cast.

1 day left to watch

2 hours, 25 minutes

Last on

Thu 3 Apr 2025 22:20
BBC Four

Credits

Lilith Prescott Debbie Reynolds
Cleve Van Valen Gregory Peck
Linus Rawlings James Stewart
Eve Prescott Carroll Baker
Zeb Rawlings George Peppard
Jethro Stuart Henry Fonda
General William Tecumseh Sherman John Wayne
Mike King Richard Widmark
Julie Rawlings Carolyn Jones
Zebulon Prescott Karl Malden
Abraham Lincoln Raymond Massey
Charlie Gant Eli Wallach
Marshal Lou Ramsey Lee J Cobb
Roger Morgan Robert Preston
Narrator Spencer Tracy
Dora Hawkins Brigid Bazlen
Colonel Jeb Hawkins Walter Brennan
Rebecca Prescott Agnes Moorehead
General Ulysses S Grant Harry Morgan
Agatha Clegg Thelma Ritter
Confederate Deserter Russ Tamblyn
Writer James R Webb
Director John Ford
Director Henry Hathaway
Director George Marshall
Producer Bernard Smith
Composer Alfred Newman
Director of photography William H Daniels
Director of photography Milton Krasner
Director of photography Charles Lang Jr
Director of photography Joseph LaShelle

Broadcasts

  • Fri 27 Dec 2013 14:50
    BBC Two
  • Fri 2 Jan 2015 14:05
    BBC Two except Wales
  • Fri 2 Jan 2015 15:05
    BBC Two Wales
  • Sun 11 Oct 2015 13:05
    BBC Two
  • Sun 5 Jun 2016 12:30
    BBC Two except Northern Ireland
  • Sun 3 Jan 2021 12:35
    BBC Two except Scotland
  • Sun 20 Jun 2021 13:50
    BBC Two except Scotland
  • Sat 8 Jan 2022 13:00
    BBC Two Wales & Wales HD only
  • Sat 8 Jan 2022 14:00
    BBC Two except Scotland & Wales
  • Thu 13 Jan 2022 20:00
    BBC Four
  • Sun 5 Jun 2022 13:30
    BBC Two except Scotland
  • Sat 18 Feb 2023 14:00
    BBC Two except Scotland & Wales
  • Sat 10 Jun 2023 14:00
    BBC Two except Scotland
  • Sat 3 Feb 2024 12:00
    BBC Two Wales & Wales HD only
  • Sat 3 Feb 2024 13:30
    BBC Two England & HD only
  • Sat 3 Feb 2024 14:00
    BBC Two Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only
  • Thu 8 Feb 2024 23:45
    BBC Four
  • Sat 20 Jul 2024 15:00
    BBC Two Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only
  • Sat 20 Jul 2024 15:30
    BBC Two except Northern Ireland & Scotland
  • Sat 29 Mar 2025 13:20
    BBC Two Wales & Wales HD only
  • Sat 29 Mar 2025 13:45
    BBC Two except Scotland & Wales
  • Thu 3 Apr 2025 22:20
    BBC Four

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