
1883 (2021 – 2022)
Teleplay by: Taylor Sheridan
Directed by: Taylor Sheridan (episode 1); Ben Richardson (episodes 2, 6, 8-9, 10); Christina Alexandra Voros (episodes 3 – 5, 7)
Stars: Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Isabel May, LaMonica Garrett, Marc Rissmann, Audie Rick, James Landry Hébertrson, Gratiela Brancusi, Anna Fiamora, Malcolm Stephenson, Eric Nelsen, James Jordan, Martin Sensmeier, Neal Kodinsky, Dawn Olivieri, Taylor Sheridan, Billy Bob Thornton, Rita Wilson, Graham Greene and Tom Hanks
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
1883. Fort Worth, Texas.
Captain Shea Brennan (Elliott) and Sergeant Thomas (Garrett) served together in the Civil War. They have been hired to lead a wagon train of immigrants across the frontier. They’ll pass through deserts, hostile Indian territory and badlands full of rustlers and killers.
James Dutton (McGraw) is waiting to meet his family coming in on the train from Tennessee. Dutton plans to take his family (his wife, 17 year old daughter and 5 year old son, his sister and her teenage daughter) across the frontier to find farmland.
After Shea and Thomas see Dutton handle himself in a tough situation, they offer him a job on their wagon train. Dutton declines, but knows there’s safety in numbers. A single covered wagon has virtually no chance to make the journey. Dutton says he’ll join the wagon train, but not as an employee. Shea reluctantly agrees since they need every gun they can get.
The wagon train leaves. Most won’t survive the journey and those that do will be forever changed.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
1883 is one of the best westerns I’ve ever seen. Taylor Sheridan’s attention to detail, and superb writing provide the foundation for an amazing tale. Sheridan wrote every episode and directed the first. The other directors for the series include Ben Richardson and Christina Alexandra Voros, who have directed episodes of Sheridan’s other shows.
1883 features a strong cast.
Sam Elliott is at home in any western. He’s perfect as the former Civil War Captain who mourns the loss of his wife and daughter as he attempts to lead the wagon train.
LaMonica Garrett has nearly 60 credits on his acting resume. I’ve seen Garrett in other roles, but he was born to play Sgt. Thomas.
Tim McGraw is better known as a singer than actor. McGraw has three Grammy Awards and has sold over 40 million albums. I was surprised by his performance. Thanks to McGraw, James Dutton is one of my all-time favorite Cowboys.
Taylor Sheridan handpicked Isabel May for the role of Elsa Dutton. Elsa is the lynchpin to the entire series. Ms. May is someone to watch. She is definitely a star in the making.
Even the smaller 1883 roles feature outstanding actors/actresses. Special mention to James Landry Hébert, Gratiela Brancusi, Eric Nelsen, Martin Sensmeier, Billy Bob Thornton, Rita Wilson, Graham Greene and Tom Hanks.
I cannot stress enough how great 1883 is.
1883 (2021 – 2022) earns 5 of 5 stars.

