The PBS series “Independent Lens” has picked up “Facing the Storm: Story of the American Bison,” for its fall run. The film was directed by Doug Hawes-Davis, who through the movie tells the story of the bison’s fight to remain wild in the hills of the west as humans did their best to drive the animals to extinction.

ICTMN reports that the film, made in coordination with Missoula, Mont.-based High Plains films, will be shown on PBS sometime this fall.

Using archival materials and interviews with experts, the filmmakers tell the story of the eradication of approximately 30 million buffalo from the Great Plains areas in less than 50 years. Although not of Native descent, Hawes-Davis gives an excellent account of the American Indians’ relationship with the Bison.

The Missoulian’s Joe Nickell wrote a review of the film when it debuted at the Wilma in Missoula in October 2010.

You can see several trailers for the film or order it as the High Plains Film website.

Jenna Cederberg

Tags: bison, buffalo, buffalo post, doug hawes-davis, facing the storm, high plains films, independent lens, indian country today media network, PBS, story of the american bison