# The High Chaparral (1967)

> A ranching family in 1870s Arizona Territory defends its land and its honor against outlaws, rival ranchers and the frontier itself.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/10326

## Facts

- Seasons: 4
- Episodes: 98
- Episode runtime: 52 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: western, drama
- Created by: David Dortort
- Network: NBC
- Cast: Henry Darrow, Cameron Mitchell, Leif Erickson, Mark Slade, Linda Cristal, Noah Beery Jr., Abraham Sofaer, Barry Sullivan
- TMDB rating: 7.6/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061263/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: moderate
- Tone: earnest, adventurous, warm, sincere

## Synopsis

The High Chaparral (1967-1971) is an American western drama created by David Dortort for NBC, produced by Xanadu Productions, and it follows the Cannon family on a frontier cattle ranch. Patriarch Big John Cannon (Leif Erickson) and his hot-tempered brother Buck Cannon (Cameron Mitchell) run the ranch with Big John's wife Victoria Cannon (Linda Cristal) and their son Billy Blue Cannon (Mark Slade), while Manolito Montoya (Henry Darrow) brings a Mexican-born perspective to the household. The engine of the show is the struggle to hold land and dignity in a rough territory where rival ranchers, outlaws, bandits and hostile Apache and Comanche tensions constantly threaten the Cannons' cattle, water and property. Each episode is built around a self-contained frontier problem, while larger rivalries carry across the four-season run, giving the show a serialized feel. Set in 1870s Arizona Territory, the series captures the dust, open range and border tensions of the Old West with a sincere, warm, family-centered register. Its tone is earnest and hopeful, with an adventurous spirit that recalls the broadcast tradition of network westerns. Fans of Bonanza, The Rifleman and Lonesome Dove will find resonance in its ranch-family core and frontier atmosphere.

## Shows like The High Chaparral

- [Fury (1955)](https://ember.film/tv/3074)
- [Alias Smith and Jones (1971)](https://ember.film/tv/3116)
- [Lawman (1958)](https://ember.film/tv/12941)
- [Branded (1965)](https://ember.film/tv/12878)
- [Cheyenne (1955)](https://ember.film/tv/893)
- [The Rebel (1959)](https://ember.film/tv/12903)
- [Laramie (1959)](https://ember.film/tv/12952)
- [Laredo (1965)](https://ember.film/tv/6532)
- [The Rifleman (1958)](https://ember.film/tv/12916)
- [Rawhide (1959)](https://ember.film/tv/10187)

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