We truly live in a golden age of television, to the point that it now feels almost derogatory to refer to television as the “small screen.” Behind the scenes on major television and film productions, you will often find the exact, same technology being used to capture the action. The equipment made by digital camera companies like Red for example, is ubiquitous, and even analog film, beloved by movie and TV studios alike, is experiencing something of a renaissance in both still and moving pictures. The bottom line, though, is that streaming services have come to the realization that they need to produce their own content to be competitive, and with that realization has come a willingness to fund the kind of major projects that they hope will draw eyeballs to their platforms.
The latest Netflix series, American Primeval, currently in the Top 10 Shows on the platform, is an excellent example of this new breed of cinematic epics being made for television. Before we go any further, I want to reassure you that there will be no spoilers in this article—I would hate to ruin this wonderful show for you!
Set in the American West in the year 1857, this miniseries of six one-hour episodes follows the story of a woman, Sara, and her son, Devin, trying to make their way out West to reunite with family. Along the way, they must navigate the hazards of a wild and lawless frontier in which they are constantly at the mercy of its harsh, unforgiving landscape—a terrain across which warring factions of Native American tribes, Mormon militias, and federal soldiers are locked in a brutal struggle for control of the land.
Filmed almost entirely outdoors, American Primeval was shot against the breathtaking backdrop of the mountains, rivers, and high plains of New Mexico. This spectacular landscape plays a major role in the story, both visually and in terms of the sacrifices that it demands from the characters who must struggle to survive there. The writer, Mark L. Smith, is also the writer of the movie The Revenant, so it is perhaps not surprising that the cinematography and visual style of American Primeval is very reminiscent of The Revenant.
The drama and action in American Primeval are unrelenting, and the spectacular camerawork keeps pace with the show's epic narrative arc. As a photographer, I often found myself pausing the show to admire the visual beauty of a still frame—and there are many moments that meld the characters, the unfolding action, and the stunning landscape into scenes of breathtaking and inspiring beauty.
American Primeval is available to watch now on Netflix.
Loved this show!