Centennial

Rating:
Summary: Memorable, if overlong western epic
Review: The mammoth western epic "Centennial" has always deserved a storied place in television history.

This ambitious effort, based on the James Michener novel of the same name, attempts to cover the history of the state of Colorado, from the days of the Native Americans to the political/environmental dealings of modern times. Clocking in at 24 hours, it's probably safe to say that rarely has so much effort been put into the television medium. Unfortunately, "Centennial" would have been better served to cut it's running time in half.

The first five episodes of "Centennial," dealing with the settling of the American frontier and the eventual clash between pioneers and Native Americans, are some of the finest hours ever produced for television. This 1978 miniseries provides an early sympathetic view of the Native American, from the appealing chief Lame Beaver, played convincingly by Michael Ansara, to his daughter Clay Basket sympathetically played by Barbara Carrera. Throw into this mix the stormy relationship of trappers Pasquinel (Robert Conrad) and McKeag (Richard Chamberlain), and you have great drama on the untamed frontier. Their lives, and the rustic, changing world in which they live, makes for terrific historical fireworks.

Of course, Conrad's performance as Pasquinel, a colorful and memorable character if ever there was one, is one of the finest of his erratic career. As soon as his character leaves the film, there is an emptiness to the drama which is never quite replaced. And this emptiness damages the overall memory of this western epic.

Episode five, which details the disturbing true-life incident of the Sand Creek Massacre, in which hundreds of Native Americans were brutally murdered, is probably the last hurrah of "Centennial." The film soon switches gears to detail ranching life, farming struggles and the Depression. But the sense of wonder and awe seems to disappear, as the film wallows in a series of cliches (Brian Keith as the town sheriff is almost laughably bad) which resembles poor soap opera. The characters are not as multi-dimensional, and certainly not as inspiring.

"Centennial" rebounds somewhat during the twelth and final episode in which the valid question is raised as to what type of industry is best for the state of Colorado -- living off the land as our ancestors did, or mining the countryside for its resources. David Janssen is superb as a ranch owner and descendent of Pasquinel. His brooding intensity practically washes away the bad taste left from the frustrating boredom of the previous four episodes.

"Centennial" boasts one of the most extraordinary casts ever assembled for a motion picture. Almost too many to mention, some nods of respect must be given to Conrad, Chamberlain, Janssen, Chad Everett, Richard Crenna (in a particularly villainous role), Carrera, Lynn Redgrave, Gregory Harrison and Dennis Weaver (absolutely terrific as trail boss R.J. Poteet).

Appropriate kudos must be given to the beautiful cinemaphotography and the exciting musical score of John Addison.

"Centennial," essentially is a television history of the United States, from the early settlers to modern times. No stone is left unturned in this epic journey, and if the ambition was a bit more than these filmmakers could actually achieve given the restraints of the budget and the limitations of its marathon length, one can forgive these starry-eyed dreamers for losing steam during the final episodes.

Based on the first five episodes (11 hours) alone, "Centennial" is one of the finest works in television history. As a whole, the film sputters to a three-star rating. But for patient viewers, there are many diamonds to discover in the rough, unforgiving land known as "Centennial."

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent epic equals magnificent story
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: centennial on dvd
Review: I only ever saw this series on t.v. It was marvelous to watch.
I wish it would become available on dvd. I would certainly buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Educational, realistic, and entertaining
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: Still Golden Colorado: Centennial
Review: Even after 23 years since it was first broadcast, Centennial is a grand, entertaining miniseries. I think it is one of the best adaptations ever of a Michener book. Its length allows a more thorough telling of the histories of its characters. Historically fairly accurate, it can move you to tears in the telling of the plight of Native Americans (Arapahoe, Shoshone, Cheyenne). I found the first two-thirds of the series' 12 videos of more interest than the final third because they are about how Colorado came to be -- the stories are more external, about the land and the people, some who honored the land, others who exploited it. The viewer will see nomadic Native Americans, fur-trappers, gold-seekers, Oregon Trail pioneers, cowboys, ranchers, farmers, town founders and citizens (both upright and not so), all in the crossroads of what becomes Centennial, Colorado.

I liked most of the acting (although some of the aging makeup and gray-haired wigs were a little obvious)and it's entertaining to see so many well-known actors. I especially enjoyed Robert Conrad as the French trapper Pasquinel who begins the saga, Stephen McHattie as his son, Gregory Harrison and Stephanie Zimbalist as Levi and Elly Zendt, Dennis Weaver as Poteet, William Atherton as Jim Lloyd, and my favorite TV villain, Anthony Zerbe as Wendell. There are many other familiar faces.

The hardest part was to ration viewing Centennial over several summer weekends!

Rating:
Summary: Centennial
Review: This TV series was screened once in the UK on Sunday afternoons. It was an epic of it day. It was and is a must view program for all the family. Once you start watching you'll be hooked. The first 3/4s of the series are definately the better part. There is lots of lush scenery and a stronge flowing story with plenty of action.

We seem to have been waiting for ever for it to come out on DVD anyone any idea who we can chase? The money is burning a hole in my pocket. Obviously this is based on the video

Rating:
Summary: Memorable, if overlong western epic
Review: The mammoth western epic "Centennial" has always deserved a storied place in television history.

This ambitious effort, based on the James Michener novel of the same name, attempts to cover the history of the state of Colorado, from the days of the Native Americans to the political/environmental dealings of modern times. Clocking in at 24 hours, it's probably safe to say that rarely has so much effort been put into the television medium. Unfortunately, "Centennial" would have been better served to cut it's running time in half.

The first five episodes of "Centennial," dealing with the settling of the American frontier and the eventual clash between pioneers and Native Americans, are some of the finest hours ever produced for television. This 1978 miniseries provides an early sympathetic view of the Native American, from the appealing chief Lame Beaver, played convincingly by Michael Ansara, to his daughter Clay Basket sympathetically played by Barbara Carrera. Throw into this mix the stormy relationship of trappers Pasquinel (Robert Conrad) and McKeag (Richard Chamberlain), and you have great drama on the untamed frontier. Their lives, and the rustic, changing world in which they live, makes for terrific historical fireworks.

Of course, Conrad's performance as Pasquinel, a colorful and memorable character if ever there was one, is one of the finest of his erratic career. As soon as his character leaves the film, there is an emptiness to the drama which is never quite replaced. And this emptiness damages the overall memory of this western epic.

Episode five, which details the disturbing true-life incident of the Sand Creek Massacre, in which hundreds of Native Americans were brutally murdered, is probably the last hurrah of "Centennial." The film soon switches gears to detail ranching life, farming struggles and the Depression. But the sense of wonder and awe seems to disappear, as the film wallows in a series of cliches (Brian Keith as the town sheriff is almost laughably bad) which resembles poor soap opera. The characters are not as multi-dimensional, and certainly not as inspiring.

"Centennial" rebounds somewhat during the twelth and final episode in which the valid question is raised as to what type of industry is best for the state of Colorado -- living off the land as our ancestors did, or mining the countryside for its resources. David Janssen is superb as a ranch owner and descendent of Pasquinel. His brooding intensity practically washes away the bad taste left from the frustrating boredom of the previous four episodes.

"Centennial" boasts one of the most extraordinary casts ever assembled for a motion picture. Almost too many to mention, some nods of respect must be given to Conrad, Chamberlain, Janssen, Chad Everett, Richard Crenna (in a particularly villainous role), Carrera, Lynn Redgrave, Gregory Harrison and Dennis Weaver (absolutely terrific as trail boss R.J. Poteet).

Appropriate kudos must be given to the beautiful cinemaphotography and the exciting musical score of John Addison.

"Centennial," essentially is a television history of the United States, from the early settlers to modern times. No stone is left unturned in this epic journey, and if the ambition was a bit more than these filmmakers could actually achieve given the restraints of the budget and the limitations of its marathon length, one can forgive these starry-eyed dreamers for losing steam during the final episodes.

Based on the first five episodes (11 hours) alone, "Centennial" is one of the finest works in television history. As a whole, the film sputters to a three-star rating. But for patient viewers, there are many diamonds to discover in the rough, unforgiving land known as "Centennial."

Rating:
Summary: DVD NOW PLEASE!! C'mon Universal!
Review: In my opinion the finest mini-series in the history of TV. Universal Home Video must give this the attention it so richly deserves!

Rating:
Summary: They don't make them like this anymore
Review: Along with "War and Remembrance," this is one of the great TV mini-series that are worth watching. As many others have noted, it's a fine history of the west, with a 70s-sensibility towards racial justice and environmentalism that we could certainly all benefit from today.

That said, there are of course a few flaws. Levi Zendt could have been better cast...the producers were obviously thinking about sex appeal there, yet this is a very important character that needed a skillful actor to fill the role. The music is wonderful, but a little repetitive at times. And the final episode becomes increasingly unbearable, as David Janssen's moralizing gets ever more tedious...the 70s message went on overkill here.

There are lots of little pleasures that may go unnoticed. TV actors of modest talent like Robert Conrad and Chad Everett were pushed by the quality of the production to hit their highest marks. The actor who played Jake Pasquinel was marvelous. The outdoor locations were all in Colorado, by the Platte river. The big scenes, such as the congregation of Indian tribes or the dust storms, were pulled off very well given the natural restrictions of budget. And Richard Chamberlain was probably the soul of the show.

See it! Turn off the network and cable crap and watch this with your kids. They will be engrossed, especially during the first half.

Rating:
Summary: Centennial is awsome
Review: I thought this movie just brought you into the story .You felt like you were a part of the whole movie. Each character was so real..
this all star cast of actors and actress were wonderful.
I was glued to the tv set every time it was aired on TV . I could watch this time and time again. IT is very educational too, what real settlers had to go thru good and bad.It was just
amazing how well the story line moves along.
I think everyone should see it at least once ( if not more).