I Found a Historically Accurate Western That Stays in the Saddle for 5 Seasons Straight
Western fans unite! I found a show that doesn't sugarcoat history and still keeps you glued to your screen.
As much as I love the anticipation of the next episode of my favorite series, I'd prefer to have a complete show to binge on. It's easier and more convenient to watch everything at my own pace.
That's why I was thrilled when I discovered a complete 5-seasons Western masterpiece that I missed out on back when it first came out. And the most exciting part about it all is the historical accuracy of the story.
So if you're into Westerns and don't like waiting weeks for the story to unfold, this one's for you.
Hell on Wheels (2011-2016) Delivers From Start to Finish
If you're looking for a show that portrays the American frontier as it really was, Hell on Wheels is your go-to.
Union soldiers killed Cullen Bohannon's family. And now he's on the hunt for revenge. He first gets involved with the railroad just for the sake of getting closer to someone who has ruined his life permanently. But as a result becomes one of the lead engineers responsible for building the First Transcontinental Railroad.
The series spans 5 seasons and has 57 episodes overall. And I didn't find any weak spots in any of them.
What Do Fans Think About Hell on Wheels?
- On Rotten Tomatoes, Hell on Wheels has 73% from critics and 89% from the audience.
- On IMDb, Hell on Wheels is rated 8.3/10.
“[I] binged watched the series 8 times now,” Redditor ThrowRA137904 shared.
“I liked it before I even knew I “enjoy” westerns. Had always grown up thinking of westerns as those black and white shows my gramps had on after bedtime. Hell on wheels opened my eyes to the genre. There’s more to it than gunsmoke,” Redditor FoghornSilverthorn said.
Historical Accuracy Is One of Many Hell on Wheels’s Strengths
Watching the show, I couldn't help but appreciate the respect the creators had for history. And turns out I'm not the only one who noticed that.
"I'm a history buff myself and nothing more, but the main reason I love this show is because of how authentic it is to the West. It's about as close as you can get without being an actual documentary," CatrichChilly on Reddit noted.
How Long Is Hell on Wheels?
Fun fact: if you watch it non-stop you'll finish it in 2 days and 9 hours. But unfortunately we humans need to function outside of binging TV shows. So with just 3 episodes per day, you can finish it in 19 days.
You can find all 5 seasons of Hell on Wheels on Hulu.
