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A remarkably ambitious and engrossing project, this 1978 television miniseries ran 26-and-a-half hours, cost a then-enormous $25 million, and involved 4 directors, 5 cinematographers, and somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 speaking parts. Based on James Michener's panoramic bestseller about the settling of the American West--as reflected in the history of a fictional town called Centennial, Colorado--the story begins in the late 18th century and ends with a typical 20th century conflict over land usage. Centennial, however, largely concentrates on various memorable frontiersmen, trappers, Indians, ranchers, cowboys, and farmers from long ago. Richard Chamberlain shines as the pioneer Alexander McKeag, Robert Conrad does some of his best work as French-Canadian Pasquinel, and performances by Alex Karras, Chad Everett, Sally Kellerman, Raymond Burr, Richard Crenna, David Janssen, and Dennis Weaver effectively add to a tapestry of adventure, tragedy, violence, and dubious Western progress. Produced at a time when TV networks were in the throes of acknowledging America's history of racial injustice, the program paints a starkly villainous portrait of opportunists exploiting and destroying Indians in the name of manifest destiny. While the project's great length might make one wary of diving in, Centennial is the sort of carefully paced drama that makes one care about the intertwined destinies of unique characters and how they illuminate America's past. --Tom Keogh
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Educational, realistic, and entertaining,
By Rhonda Dees (Magnolia, Arkansas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Centennial Box Set (VHS Tape)
My husband and I began watching this movie and enjoyed it immensely. Our children ages 3, 6, and 7, also enjoyed it. Each time we ended a set, we immediately began watching another. We encountered a problem when we got to Volume 8. THERE WAS NO SOUND ON THE ENTIRE TAPE. We have watched the last 4 movies in the set, but feel we have missed a great deal by not being able to enjoy Vol. 8. If anyone can help us find a way to purchase Vol. 8 with sound or try to fix it, we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. Rhonda Dees
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent epic equals magnificent story,
By
This review is from: Centennial Box Set (VHS Tape)
As a longtime fan of James Michener I have enjoyed many of his works but none of them has been so well represented on film as Centennial. The book was super but was erratically paced and jumped back and forth in history. The miniseries, however, is wonderful. The casting of the characters was right on in both the main and supporting roles. Robert Conrad gave his best performance as the complicated French trapper Pasquinel. Richard Chamberlain was the perfect Alexander McKeag and Gregory Harrison did a terrific job in his ability to cope with his character's aging from a inexperienced farm boy to a likable everyman to an aging hero. Michener's story explores the discovery of the west and shows us heroism and cowardice, greatness and pettiness and is a superb history lesson which everyone will enjoy. The series presents this story in the form of characters you will grow to like, admire, love, hate and remember. People I've watched the series with have shown deep emotion and cried through the depiction of the Indian massacre (actually the Sand Creek Massacre but renamed for the story). They came to admire Dennis Weaver as the cattle drive boss R.J. Poteet and the young cowboys he helped turn into men. You will see characters grow and change. You will identify with many and feel sad as they age and die. Throughout, however, you will be entertained and you will have a greater appreciation of the people who framed the American West.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful!,
By "sfrush" (Texas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Centennial Box Set (VHS Tape)
I ignored Centennial when it was first broadcast on television. I saw it the second time it was shown and was hooked. I have since watched it more thimes that I can recall. I have also read the book several times. Friends have called me obsessed. My then-wife drew the line at naming our son first "Pasquinel".The original airing played in a cliff hanger-type format. Well, they wanted you come back for more. Any one of the tapes makes a movie by itself. I heartily reccomend this to any who enjoy adventure, drama or western type movies.
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