Klondike is a three-part miniseries about the Klondike Gold Rush that was broadcast by the Discovery Channel on January 20–22, 2014. Based on Charlotte Gray's novel Gold Diggers: Striking It Rich in the Klondike, it is the Discovery Channel's first scripted miniseries. Klondike was directed by Simon Cellan Jones and stars Richard Madden as Bill Haskell, a real-life adventurer who traveled to Yukon, Canada, in the late 1890s during the gold rush.
Traveling west from New York City, friends Bill Haskell and Byron Epstein head to Yukon, Canada, when they learn of the Klondike Gold Rush. The two men must not only contend with harsh conditions and unpredictable weather as they look to profit from a mining claim near Dawson City, but also find themselves threatened by desperate and dangerous individuals who share their pursuit of riches.[1][2]
Klondike was green-lit by the Discovery Channel in December 2012.[2] The network believed the miniseries would complement their other offerings, such as the reality series Gold Rush and Jungle Gold. Executive producer Dolores Gavin stated, "Our audience loves the idea of the frontier spirit. That whole thing about man versus nature, man versus man, man versus self—those are themes we talk about everyday on Discovery. There was really no difference when we started talking about this project because there were those similarities."[3] It is the network's first-ever scripted miniseries, and contains six parts.[1]
Set in the late 1890s, it is based upon Charlotte Gray's book Gold Diggers: Striking It Rich in the Klondike[6] and follows a variety of individuals as they flood into the Klondike in search of gold.[4] Ridley Scott is serving as executive producer,[4] and said "Klondike was the last great gold rush; one which triggered a flood of prospectors ill-equipped, emotionally or otherwise, for the extreme and grueling conditions of the remote Yukon wilderness. The personal adventures are as epic as the landscape, where ambition, greed, sex and murder, as well as their extraordinary efforts to literally strike it rich, are all chronicled by a young Jack London himself."[2] Paul Scheuring, Josh Goldin and Rachel Abramowitz are penning the script.[1]
Production began in March 2013 in Alberta,[6] with Simon Cellan Jones directing.[4] It was expected to take 54 days to shoot six hours of footage.[3] Some of filming took place in April on Fortress Mountain in Kananaskis Country, where the cast contended with "frigid" conditions. A set was created on the CL Ranch (west of Calgary) to represent Dawson City. There, the crew experienced warm weather, which created problems as the actors were forced to wear many layers of clothing and pretend they were cold.[3]
Richard Madden was cast as adventurer Bill Haskell. He agreed to join the miniseries because he was impressed by its script; he also enjoyed Discovery's reality series Gold Rush. The actor explained to Entertainment Weekly in August 2013, "It’s epic, and 'epic' is a word I use rarely to describe something. It’s a story that’s not really been told. [The character's] situations are so extreme physically and emotionally. I’ve done lots of different [projects] and I’ve never been so excited."[7] For the role, Madden had to learn mountaineering in Alberta and at one point was required to jump into river rapids with a grade of 4.[7] He made sure to research his real-life counterpart in books and biographies. He had to contend with high altitudes and wind machines, and noted that the adverse conditions helped him get into character.[3]
Bill Haskell and Byron Epstein begin a journey towards the Yukon when a prospector informs them of the ongoing gold rush. Persevering through natural hazards, they eventually reach Dawson City. On their way to the town, they meet Father Judge, Sabine, and Soapy Smith. Belinda Mulrooney introduces herself to Bill as the owner of Dawson City's lumber mill. Bill and Byron purchase mining claims to begin their search for gold.
Dawson City becomes afflicted by a typhus outbreak. Father Judge brings the sick into his church to be treated. After the Count publicly degrades Sabine, Belinda takes her to Father Judge to change her life. The superintendent develops doubts towards Tlingit natives' guilt, which grow when the Tlingit man is unable to perform the shot that killed Byron. When Bill's lumber supply runs low, Belinda personally delivers a new supply. An accident forces Belinda to spend the night with Bill and the two have sex. Shortly afterwards, Bill learns that Belinda sold the claim to Soapy and Soapy intends to foreclose the next day.
Bill learns that Goodman is Byron's killer. Goodman admits that he killed Byron and is behind the attempts on Bill's life because he believes Bill's claim belongs to him. While pursuing Goodman through the wilderness, Bill is cornered by the Count and his men, seeking to steal his gold. The Count is betrayed by his men, who abandon him and Bill in the wilderness. The Tlingit attack Dawson City to rescue their captive tribe members, killing Soapy and three Mounties in the process. Mounties led by the superintendent pursue the Tlingit. Belinda also goes into the wilderness when she learns of Bill's whereabouts.
The miniseries received positive reviews from critics and holds an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 15 reviews. The site consensus reads, "Discovery Channel's first scripted drama, Klondike not only contains an admirable adventure plot, but a masterful exploration of landscapes and cinematography."[8] On Metacritic, the miniseries holds a score of 74 out of 100 based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[9]
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