Set way back in the year of 1883, the post-American Civil War generation of the Dutton family join a wagon train, led by Shea Brennan (Sam Elliot), on an audacious and gruelling trip from Texas to Oregon, before settling down in Montana to establish what would eventually become the Yellowstone ranch. While connected to the Yellowstone legacy, 1883 stands as a brutal and gripping story that has gained widespread recognition since its release in 2021. It’s worth noting that 1883 is currently streaming on Netflix.

Created by Taylor Sheridan, 1883 is the first spin-off from the hugely popular Yellowstone franchise, soon followed by 1923 – another spin-off series that will be reviewed on the website in the coming months. For those that have seen Yellowstone, these two prequels provide a rich backstory and deeper insight into the Dutton family legacy that defines the overarching franchise. For those that have not seen Yellowstone, however, 1883 manages to hold up perfectly well on its own, as an emotional and visually stunning standalone western based drama.

One of the strongest aspects of 1883 was the fact that the story was told in a short, ten-episode, limited series format, with no plans for additional seasons. This approach enabled the filmmakers to convey a clear beginning, middle and end, with each episode feeling important and meaningful. The pacing is something worth noting too, it was well-balanced, rarely dragging or losing momentum throughout, with the show staying engaging from start to finish. While big action moments weren’t overly prominent, the emotional weight of the story took center stage.

On a visual level, 1883 comes across as a stunning piece of television, with the costume design, set design and filming locations all standing out as major strengths. For both costume and set design, the attention to detail was evident and authentic, while the filming locations were equally impressive, with most of the production taking place between Montana and Texas, providing the beautiful, yet rugged backdrop that suited the story perfectly.

In terms of the cast, this was another portion of the show that managed to standout. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill starred as James and Margaret Dutton, respectively, with Isabel May portraying Elsa Dutton and claiming a large majority of screentime. Elsewhere, Sam Elliot adopted the role of Shea Brennan, with support also coming from the likes of LaMonica Garrett, Marc Rissmann and Gratiela Brancusi. Interestingly, the show also featured several cameo appearances from stars such as Tom Hanks and Billy Bob Thornton, albeit brief in nature.

All in all, 1883 comes across as an extremely well made and equally as powerful series that manages to remain with the viewer after its conclusion. It’s beautifully shot and features a multitude of strong acting performances. Whether you’re fully clued up on the world of Yellowstone, or whether you’re completely unaware of the franchise, I’d suggest giving 1883 a shot. As previously noted, 1883 is currently streaming on Netflix.