Sweetwater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story (2007)

In 1856, harsh October snows in Wyoming trapped two handcart companies and two wagon trains traveling to the Salt Lake Valley. The 1200 pioneers, who had departed from England, were nearly a fifth of the way to their destination when disaster struck. The tragedy, the worst overland migration disaster in American history, was averted by a swift rescue effort. Over a hundred wagon teams and nearly 300 men braved blizzards to participate in one of the most significant rescue operations of the 19th century.