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America's greatest story of adventure, the Corps of Discovery, led by Lewis and Clark. Now Streaming.

Watch Lewis and Clark | Full Documentary

Episode 1
The mission of the Corps of Discovery was to explore the uncharted West. Beginning February 28, 1803 It would be led by Meriwether Lewis, and Lewis’ friend, William Clark. Over the next four years, the Corps of Discovery would travel thousands of miles, experiencing lands, rivers and peoples that no Americans ever had before.
Full Length 105m 46s
Episode 1
Full Length
Episode 1
105m 46s
The mission of the Corps of Discovery was to explore the uncharted West. Beginning February 28, 1803 It would be led by Me
Episode 2
Full Length
Episode 2
104m 51s
The mission of the Corps of Discovery was to explore the uncharted West. Beginning February 28, 1803 It would be led by Me
Official Trailer
Preview
Official Trailer
30s
Follow Lewis and Clark’s 19th-century voyage of danger and discovery from St. Louis to the Pacific.
The First American Expedition
Clip
The First American Expedition
3m 15s
Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the first American expedition to cross what is now the western portion of
A Beautiful New Territory
Clip
A Beautiful New Territory
3m 30s
As Lewis and Clark headed West, they noted a dramatic change in climate and scenery. They were especially taken by the bea
The Corps of Many Discoveries
Clip
The Corps of Many Discoveries
1m 40s
Lewis and Clark sent a shipment of specimens to President Thomas Jefferson, including elk antlers, ears of Indian corn, a
Lewis's House Call
Clip
Lewis's House Call
2m 29s
The youngest member of the Corps of Discovery is born.
The Continental Divide
Clip
The Continental Divide
1m 44s
Lewis approaches the Continental Divide which no American citizen had ever been before.
Grizzly Bear Encounters
Clip
Grizzly Bear Encounters
1m 52s
Lewis shoots a Grizzly bear after passing the mouth of the Yellowstone river.
Expedition Journals
Clip
Expedition Journals
1m 31s
President Jefferson insisted the expedition write down everything they experienced.
Journey Through the Missouri River
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Journey Through the Missouri River
1m 11s
After two long months of travel, the Corps were still in what is now Missouri.
Black Buffalo's Intervention
Clip
Black Buffalo's Intervention
1m 48s
His only request, was that the women and children of his village see the keelboat.
Camp Fortunate
Clip
Camp Fortunate
2m 15s
Chief Cameahwait agrees to sell the Corps of Discovery all the horses they needed.
The Nez Perce
Clip
The Nez Perce
2m 35s
They fished for salmon, harvested the rich bulbs of camas plants, and hunted buffalo.
Fort Clatsop
Clip
Fort Clatsop
1m 37s
On December 25, 1805 The Corps of Discovery built their winter quarters.
The Corps of Discovery Disbands
Clip
The Corps of Discovery Disbands
3m 49s
The Corps of Discovery disbands with each member going their separate way.
An American Story
Clip
An American Story
1m 32s
The U.S. stretched far beyond the Louisiana Territory when their last member member died.
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About the Film

Sent by President Thomas Jefferson to find the Northwest Passage, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the most important expedition in American history. This extraordinary film tells the remarkable story of the entire Corps of Discovery – not just of the two Captains, but the young army men, French-Canadian boatmen, Clark’s African-American slave, and the Shoshone woman named Sacagawea, who brought along her infant son. As important to the story as these many characters, however, was the land itself, and the promises it held.

The mission of the Corps of Discovery was to explore the uncharted West. Beginning February 28, 1803 It would be led by Meriwether Lewis, and Lewis’ friend, William Clark. Over the next four years, the Corps of Discovery would travel thousands of miles, experiencing lands, rivers and peoples that no Americans ever had before. Ken Burns' LEWIS & CLARK re-creates the 1803 journey to locate the Northwest Passage. The explorers found a varied landscape and a dizzying diversity of Indian peoples.

Premiered: November 4, 1997

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