Centennial

Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC!
Review: I'VE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THIS MINI-SERIES OVER AND OVER. I SAW THIS MOVIE BEFORE I STARTED LIVING IN COLORADO, AND WHAT A JOY IT WAS TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE HERE! I FELT LIKE PASQUENEL AND MCKEAG! THE VIDEO IS FIRST CLASS. THE HISTORY, THE CHARACTERS YOU GET TO KNOW, AND THE MESSAGE IS A MUST FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SEE A MOVIE ABOUT INDIAN LIFE AND AMERICAN LIFE. IT BEATS OTHERS ABOUT INDIAN LIFE BY FAR. IN GREELEY COLORADO THERE IS ACTUALLY A RESTARAUNT CALLED "BRUMBAUGH'S CAFE", OF WHICH I AM GOING TO VISIT SOON! JAMES MICHENER ALSO DONATED A LOT OF HIS WORK TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO IN GREELEY, OF WHICH I WILL ALSO VISIT SOON! THE VIDEO HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT IN OUR HOUSE. IT IS DEFINITELY A MINI-SERIES THAT I WILL NEVER TIRE OF!

Rating:
Summary: Pleasing Perfect
Review: A meal of history will stick to your ribs and will be feasted upon again and again, or it will leave your memory buds for good. Centenniel is history that every American should digest and remember for years to come. The TV production meant more to me because I can see the beauty and grandeur of our wonderful heritage. If I had a choice, I would choose a different ending - after all the glory of history, I was deflated a little by the modern touch at the end. But then, I live history in my thoughts.

Rating:
Summary: Best television programming I have ever seen.
Review: I add my agreement to the other previous reviews. I think Centennial was the best programming ever on television, or in movies for that matter. I think it is a disgrace that this spectacle did not receive any awards. I think the closest it got was a nomination for Richard Chamberlain for the role of McKeag.

As for the music, I also have conducted brief searches for the soundtrack, but have found nothing. I wouldn't rule it out, but I doubt if such a soundtrack exists. Too bad, because I would buy it in a flash. If anyone knows how to get it, please let us know.

The casting for Centennial was remarkable. The characters spring to life because of the cast. Levi Zendt is my favorite character, but almost every actor/actress does a splendid job.

The story line follows the book closely, and the changes that are made do not detract from the heart of the plots. In fact, I think the TV series is better than Michener's book in some ways.

The only criticism I can think of the book and video series is that sometimes the story engages in some rather extreme historical revisionism. Yes, we now know that the Native Americans were exploited and the victims of genocide by insensitive and selfish whites. But at times, the sins of the whites and the purity of the Native Americans and Mexicans are exaggerated and oversimplified. The actual facts of history are more complex. For example, while some white Americans used distortions of Christianity to excuse the mistreatment of the American Indian (e.g., in Centennial, Frank Skimmerhorn), the mainstream of Christian thought would not justify the extermination of "savages" so whites could fulfill "Manifest Destiny."

I also wish the closing episode was a little stronger, but oh well...Maybe I was just sad the epic was coming to an end.

The adjectives other reviewers have chosen to laud Centennial are not exaggerations. It is enthralling, magnificent, and gripping for a lifetime.

The potential would have existed to create a television series after the miniseries was completed (imagine a weekly program with the adventures of Levi and Lucinda Zendt, McKeag, the Pasquinels, Brumbaugh, and Mercy). Well, that will never happen now.

I have read the book twice and seen the miniseries five times now, three times since ordering the videos a couple of years ago. I would highly recommend Centennial to anyone who loves American history and cares about it's greatest lesson--that we are responsible to be good stewards of the land and its resources in order to leave a legacy of care for future generations of human and animal life. The question is: will we be keepers or takers?

Rating:
Summary: The Best Ever!
Review: I watched this mini series when it first came out on TV. I was completely captivated! I loved the casting and the scenery. Mitchner is one of the very best at writing out a timeline. The thing I liked the best about this wonderful series was the music. I wanted the music the first time I heard it and still do. I have tried to find it and for the past 20 years have been unsuccessful. If anyone knows how to get it. Leave a review yourself, and let us all know. PLEASE?

Rating:
Summary: Sets the standard for all other miniseries-- a must-see!
Review: Am I ever glad to find that "Centennial" is available through Amazon.com!!! My parents had taped it in the late-`80s, but on our old VCR so it looked really terrible. I have been dying to see this movie again for years. My father loves to read Michener, so when this movie came out when I was very young-- oh, 7 or 8 years old, I'd say-- I got to watch the whole thing. I WAS HOOKED. This is an absolutely amazing story, an all-encompassing story, one that just sweeps you up in its drama, heartbreak, hope and vitality. And the music-- well, it haunts me to this day. There are so many things I like about this movie, but I must say that the story of Levi Zendt and Ellie is my favorite part. This miniseries has something for everyone. Even if you've never seen it-- go ahead and just buy it. Seriously. You won't regret it!

Rating:
Summary: The very best mini-series, bar none ,ever ever produced.
Review: I have no idea how many times that I have read the book and have seen the video. I have never tired of either. As I am a modern day mountain man and fur trade reenactor I have a close affinity for Alexander Mckeag. This video shows, with a little effort, what television could be.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Mini-Series EVER!!!
Review: Centennial has always been my favorite book and television mini-series. We don't have cable (I know, hard to believe, but our choice) and since it's only shown on WTBS, I haven't seen it in years. My husband got it for me this past Christmas (I've asked for it the last 2 years) and I think I've gotten my kids hooked. All the characters are so well presented. My favorites are Levi Zendt and Pasquinel.

Rating:
Summary: The best commentary on the West and how it was settled!
Review: It is amazing that Richard Chamberlin is regarded as the "king of the mini-series" but when his credits are listed, "Centennial" is never mentioned. Yet, it is the BEST of all mini (maxi)-series. Michener is superb in the way he picks one locale and traces it through American history. Also superb, is the cast, though the characters are fictitious, they make them real and believeable! The director did an outstanding job of keeping the storyline intact. I read "Centennial" as I watched the series and the script was almost verbatem! I have attempted, on more than one occasion, to tape this entire series, with minimal, if not professional, success. So, my only alternative is to order the entire series from Amazon.com!!! Will Rogers ([e-mail]).

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!!!
Review: While some may be turned off by a 20 hour mini series and not view it because of this they are missing one of the best pieces of film work ever produced. This mini-series covers 200 years of history and it is the length of the series that makes it so wonderful. The viewer has time to truly identify and grow with the characters.

The story moves quickly and holds the viewers attention. I have watched 3 episodes at a time without realizing that 4 hours had elapsed. The acting was top notch. The stage sets and scenery are suburb. This series is as close to flawless as it gets. The only thing I did not like about the series was the way they aged the actors hair as the characters got older. It sometimes looks as though the graying affect was achieved by sprinkling flour in the hair. However, that is nitpicking. All in all it is a great piece of work that other film makers will have a hard time surpassing.

Rating:
Summary: "So good that I went looking 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 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".