BBC2, Saturday, 9pm THIS is an ambitious attempt to dramatise the history of the west through the 19th century. It was, of course, a period of rapid upheavel as the people spread out across the vast country. This version of events is seen through the live

BBC2, Saturday, 9pm

THIS is an ambitious attempt to dramatise the history of the west through the 19th century.

It was, of course, a period of rapid upheavel as the people spread out across the vast country.

This version of events is seen through the lives of Native Americans and a group of Virginians.

The scale of the work - which has Steven Spielberg as executive producer - captures the attention.

To say the least, it seems more realistic than Hollywood's How the West Won.