Watch The Far Horizons

The Far Horizons is a historical epic from 1955, directed by Rudolph Maté and starring three Hollywood icons of the era: Fred MacMurray, Charlton Heston, and Donna Reed. The movie tells the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition, one of the most famous exploratory missions in American history, which set out to map and explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory from 1804 to 1806.

The Far Horizons opens with President Thomas Jefferson (played by Herbert Heyes) commissioning Captain Meriwether Lewis (Heston) to lead an expedition to the Pacific Ocean and document all the flora, fauna, and landscapes they encounter on the way. Lewis is initially unsure about his ability to lead such a demanding mission, but his friend and former army buddy, Lieutenant William Clark (MacMurray), agrees to join him as co-captain, and the duo sets off with a team of 33 men.

The beginning of the journey is marked by several challenges, including bad weather, hostile Native American tribes, and health issues that affect some of the members. Along the way, the expedition picks up several new members, including the young and beautiful Sacajawea (Reed), a Lemhi Shoshone woman who acts as a guide and interpreter for the explorers.

Despite these challenges, Lewis and Clark remain committed to their mission and discover many new lands, rivers, and animals that were unknown to Europeans at the time. The movie does an excellent job of bringing these discoveries to life, with stunning visuals of the landscapes and wildlife that the explorers encountered.

Along with the exciting exploration scenes, The Far Horizons also includes several romantic subplots, including one between Sacajawea and a French trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau (played by Eduard Franz). However, these love stories never detract from the main focus of the movie, which is the bravery, perseverance, and leadership of Lewis and Clark.

One of the most impressive things about The Far Horizons is how well it captures the spirit of adventure and exploration that characterized the Lewis and Clark expedition. The movie does an excellent job of conveying the sheer size and scope of the journey, which covered over 8,000 miles and lasted for over two years. The film also highlights the many dangers that the explorers faced, including grizzly bears, rattlesnakes, and treacherous rapids.

Another standout feature of The Far Horizons is the excellent performances by the three leads. Heston and MacMurray have great chemistry as Lewis and Clark, portraying them as strong, capable leaders who care deeply about their men and their mission. Reed, meanwhile, shines as Sacajawea, imbuing the character with warmth, intelligence, and dignity. Her portrayal of the young Native American woman is a nice counterpoint to the more stoic and reserved characters played by Heston and MacMurray.

The film's cinematography is also noteworthy, with stunning shots of the American West that highlight the beauty and majesty of the landscapes that the explorers encountered. The visual effects are impressive for their time, and the movie's score, by composer Hans Salter, is powerful and epic.

Overall, The Far Horizons is a classic Hollywood epic that tells an important and inspiring story of American exploration and discovery. The film captures the spirit of adventure and bravery that defined the Lewis and Clark expedition, and its excellent cast, high-quality visuals, and engaging script make it a must-see for fans of historical epics and adventure movies.

The Far Horizons is a 1955 history movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.