Rating: Summary: It deserves better than a 5 star rating! Review: This is the BEST mini-series ever made! Buy it and make it a traditional family viewing event. There is so much to learn from this view of American history. There are profoundly memorable characters and outstanding performances by the actors portraying them. There are strong themes of cultural tolerance, prejudice and morality. Nobody teaches history better than Michener!
Rating: Summary: "So good I went searching for the town!" Review: The story of the American West doesn't get any better than this!As a middle school social studies instructor, I can say that Americana is on display in its most enticing format here! The acting is as superb as the actors are familiar! Star after star makes us forget whatever role they played on televison, and remember them for their characterization in Centennial! This is the highest compliment to a film-maker's casting director and producer! The cast IS exceptional--especially Conrad, Chamberlain, and that old Detroit Lion lineman Alex 'Brumbaugh' Karas! Honestly, having seen this epic four times, I have often wanted to just sit right through all 20+ hours consecutively; it really does grow on you! I can never forget the 'Wendells' every time I hear 'Whispering Hope', and just watching that last half hour's flashback sequence accompanied by 'Guess He'd Rather be in Colorado' still gives me goose bumps! I enjoyed this epic so much in fact, that while in Colorado in 1993, I tried to locate the town of Centennial. I noticed many familiar landmarks, crossed the Platte River, but of course, found no Centennial town--only the cafe. I can only say that if one loves the history and drama of the American West and has not seen this chronicle--from Robert Conrad's trip downstream at the beginning, to David Janson's reflective retrospection by the lonely railroad tracks at the consclusion, one has NOT fully seized upon all that Hollywood can contribute to learning about our great country. Thank you Clay Basket, Levi Zendt, Hans Brumbaugh, R.J. Poteet, Lame Beaver...though fictitious, you made learning come alive for us! And a special thanks to the production company of 'Centennial'! "...only the rocks live forever".
Rating: Summary: Bring Out The DVD!! Review: (...), we can't WAIT for the DVD... it's the only way to see a miniseries; and when I think miniseries, I think Centennial! This is the best of all time (with the exception of "Lonesome Dove") and we'll be putting the pressure on Universal to get this baby out.
Rating: Summary: The Best Ever Review: When will this series be available on DVD? Is anyone listening?
Rating: Summary: The best ever. Review: The story of Centennial is magnificent. I have seen the series several times. Several people did a fantastic job of casting. The scenery is awesome. Loved this with my children now will enjoy it with my grand children.
Rating: Summary: A Large piece of Americana Review: I bought this miniseries over a year ago. It is the most entertaining piece in my collection. This is a great piece of American History. The characters represent the best and worst people who helped shape our country. My favorite episode by far is the Cattle Drive. RJ Poteet, Jim Loyd, John Skimmerhorn, and Nate Person represent the real american cowboys. The fictional character of OD Cleaver provided great comic relief. If you love America and the people who made this country what it is, buy this collection.
Rating: Summary: the best miniseries ever! Review: My mom, sister and I have watched this video at least once a year for as long as I can remember. It all started when my sister and I were little and on my grandparents' boat. We were really seasick and wanted my mom to tell us a story to pass the time. She told us "Centennial" (b/c she had just read the book). Since then my sister and I have been addicted to the story and its charaters. The video makes the characters in the book really come to life, and indeed certain characters seem a part of our own family. Additionally, this video is very educational. I am not lying when I tell you that Centennial helped me immensly when I was taking my AP US History test! I can't give it enough praise.
Rating: Summary: A Snapshot of History Review: I had been looking for this in some kind of format for years! I have owned it for over 2 years, and many of my friends have borrowed it and complained about being unable to sleep as they can't wait to find out what happens next. Pasquinel, McKeag, Levi Zendt, Hans Brumbaugh, Jim Lloyd and Oliver Seccombe live through the growing years of a small town in Colorado that is born on the heels of the death of young bride, and grows to be a prosperous community. While I grew tired of the Wendells, someone had to be the greedy tirants. The series is a little boring in the middle, but the first 4 tapes are absolutely superb. By far my favorite mini-series.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful! Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: An experience rather than just a TV series Review: This is simply the best mini-series I ever saw. At the time I was only in high school but this exceptional series captivated me completely, especially the earlier parts of the story about Pasquinel and McKeeg. I then read the book and the series was so true to it I could follow the scenes visually with my imagination and map the movements to the characters on the screen. Like another reviewer I wanted a copy of this series for some time and I hope to get it on DVD rather than video since tapes wear down. So many scenes are still vividly present in my mind such as the staking down of the chief and Pasquinel's death, incredible stuff only Jeremiah Johnson or Dances with Wolves comes close. This series was an event.
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