6 Movies Featuring Jim Bridger To Watch After American Primeval

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 love American 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 Primeval is based on real events and real people.

American Primeval delves deeply into the conflict between the Mormons and other settlers of the Utah territory, especially following the 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.

6 Kit Carson (1940)

Bridger Was Played By Raymond Hatton

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 movie Kit Carson would 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 Carson takes 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 in American Primeval.

Fort Bridger was established in 1842, and the events of Kit Carson place it in 1846 or 1847, meaning that the Fort was still quite new.

While Jim Bridger is not one of the main characters in Kit 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 in Kit Carson, Carson and Bridger worked together as mountain men in the 1830s prior to the establishment of Fort Bridger and the historical context of Kit Carson. As with American 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.

Like many older Hollywood Westerns, Kit Carson presents 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. Since American Primeval presents 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.

5 Tomahawk (1951)

The Movie Highlights Bridger's Skills As A Guide

Just as American Primeval combines historical events with fiction, so too does Tomahawk. In the 1951 movie, Jim Bridger features as a wilderness guide for fur traders who proves helpful in protecting a traveling group. This provides a sharp contrast to his smaller role in American 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, Tomahawk provides 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 for Tomahawk did not actually include Jim Bridger. Tomahawk centers 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, so while the story is certainly interesting, Tomahawk was not truly historically accurate.

4 The Gun That Won The West (1955)

Changes Bridger's Story To Include A Wild West Show

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, as The Gun That Won the West suggests. 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 in The 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 of The Gun That Won the West is portrayed as much less well versed at surviving in the wilderness and communicating with Native American leaders.

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 to American Primeval. Though The Gun That Won the West may 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.

3 Bridger (1976)

The TV Movie Starred James Wainwright And Sally Field

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 movie Bridger. 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 Mountains which 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. Bridger uses a combination of real historical people and fake people and circumstances in the same way as American Primeval, creating an interesting watch.

2 Centennial (1978-1979)

The Miniseries Focuses On An Area In Colorado Over Numerous Years

Centennial - Season 1

TV-PG

Release Date: October 1, 1978
Network: NBC
Series: Centennial
Episodes: 12

Though technically a miniseries rather than a movie, Centennial is still a thrilling watch that features Jim Bridger and is a great watch after American Primeval. Based on the book of the same name, Centennial takes 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.

Centennial is the perfect watch for fans of American Primeval who 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, as Centennial largely 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. Like American 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. Centennial is the perfect watch for fans of American Primeval who are interested in a sweeping story with compelling characters that links the past and the present.

1 The Revenant (2015)

Bridger Also Features In The Story Of Hugh Glass

The most well-known movie to feature Jim Bridger is 2015's The 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 Revenant follows 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 Revenant also dramatizes Fitzgerald's motives, making him the true villain of the story. The popular movie is the perfect prequel to American Primeval because of Bridger's involvement in the story and the brutality and violence present in each.

While both The Revenant and American Primeval feature 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 in The Revenant is actually referred to as "Bridges" (via hughglass.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 to American Primeval.

Source: hughglass.org

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