Rating: 
Summary: Memories that stick forever
Review: Herman Wouk's "The Winds of War"-"War and Remembrance" miniseries ranks as one of the greatest miniseries ever. "War and Remembrance, The Final Chapter" is about 11 1/2 hours of viewing, and concludes the story with the conclusion of the war. I rate the whole miniseries a solid 5 stars, but after a fair amount of agonizing, I dropped "The Final Chapter" down to a four.Several reasons. First of all, the fellow who plays Hitler in War and Remembrance (Steven Berkoff) does not do a good job. He is a caricature of the evil, formidable Fuhrer. Gunter Meisner, in "The Winds of War" is a far better portrayal of Hitler, and fully captures the malevolent genius of the man. This is true of several other characters. The chap who plays the Kommandant of the Theresienstadt concentration camp plays the role of being literally a beast in human form. The evils of the Nazi genocidal crimes are better shown, I think, when the evildoers perpetuating these crimes are shown to be human beings knowingly committing evil--not animals who could scarcely know better. By contrast, Gunther Halmer, who plays Rudolph Hoess, does succeed in this--this is an intelligent man who has decided, consciously, to carry out inhuman policies. To me that is far scarier than the notion that the SS-Nazis were simply animals. Well, that's my opinion. "The Final Chapter" could have used more battle action. There was plenty of opportunity for this, what with this period covering the Normandy invasion, Patton's dash across Europe, the American victory over Japan, etc., but such is not the case here. Lovers of this series (myself included) probably do not mind this too much, but I felt that the first chapter of "War and Remembrance" with its incomparable, superb depiction of the Battle of Midway, constituted better entertainment. This is, after all, a series about World War Two. Some of the graphic scenes of concentration camp genocide are not for children. Parents will want to exercise judgment if youngsters are present during viewing. These criticisms aside, "The Final Chapter" is quite an achievement, if for no other reason it satisfactorily wraps up the whole series reasonably smartly. This miniseries will be an enduring classic.
Rating: 
Summary: A superb drama reaches its conclusion.
Review: Herman Wouk's "The Winds of War"-"War and Remembrance" miniseries ranks as one of the greatest miniseries ever. "War and Remembrance, The Final Chapter" is about 11 1/2 hours of viewing, and concludes the story with the conclusion of the war. I rate the whole miniseries a solid 5 stars, but after a fair amount of agonizing, I dropped "The Final Chapter" down to a four. Several reasons. First of all, the fellow who plays Hitler in War and Remembrance (Steven Berkoff) does not do a good job. He is a caricature of the evil, formidable Fuhrer. Gunter Meisner, in "The Winds of War" is a far better portrayal of Hitler, and fully captures the malevolent genius of the man. This is true of several other characters. The chap who plays the Kommandant of the Theresienstadt concentration camp plays the role of being literally a beast in human form. The evils of the Nazi genocidal crimes are better shown, I think, when the evildoers perpetuating these crimes are shown to be human beings knowingly committing evil--not animals who could scarcely know better. By contrast, Gunther Halmer, who plays Rudolph Hoess, does succeed in this--this is an intelligent man who has decided, consciously, to carry out inhuman policies. To me that is far scarier than the notion that the SS-Nazis were simply animals. Well, that's my opinion. "The Final Chapter" could have used more battle action. There was plenty of opportunity for this, what with this period covering the Normandy invasion, Patton's dash across Europe, the American victory over Japan, etc., but such is not the case here. Lovers of this series (myself included) probably do not mind this too much, but I felt that the first chapter of "War and Remembrance" with its incomparable, superb depiction of the Battle of Midway, constituted better entertainment. This is, after all, a series about World War Two. Some of the graphic scenes of concentration camp genocide are not for children. Parents will want to exercise judgment if youngsters are present during viewing. These criticisms aside, "The Final Chapter" is quite an achievement, if for no other reason it satisfactorily wraps up the whole series reasonably smartly. This miniseries will be an enduring classic.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, the whole thing available in one place!
Review: I found the prequel "Winds Of War" in a video club mailing, "Part 1" at an area video store (after a humongous phone search), but I didn't track this part down until I got a cheaply-printed flyer from a mail-order joint with a 1-800 customer service number. Now, years later, they're all right here, only a mouse click or two apart. And they say computers are only a way for Big Brother to keep an eye on us! Those who ducked the saga when it showed on TV, as well as those who can't stand miniseries, also blew the chance to see what Robert Mitchum really was capable of as an actor. Nothing, zilch, zero else he's done comes up to this! Mitchum's other work shows him to be a competent if somewhat generic macho actor, but it's as if Herman Wouk mentally pictured him when he thought Pug Henry up. There are problems, to be sure. Like Polly Bergen's "Rhoda" not being quite the airhead you see in the book. Two different "Natalies" (Ali McGraw died, replaced by "Dr. Quinn's" Jane Seymour). Two different Aaron Jastrows (John Houseman died, John Gielgud took over). Two Byron Henrys (I guess Jan Michael Vincent just tired of the role but Hart Bochner is a bit too dreamboat-ish). But Ralph Bellamy is a brilliant FDR! David Dukes does Leslie Slote as insecure as the book portrays him. Victoria Tennant is delightfully feminine as new love Pamela Tudsbury. If you have the bread, do like I did. Buy all three, view them in order. Unlike me, though, it won't take you for freakin' ever to track the whole thing down!
Rating:
Summary: Finally, the whole thing available in one place!
Review: I found the prequel "Winds Of War" in a video club mailing, "Part 1" at an area video store (after a humongous phone search), but I didn't track this part down until I got a cheaply-printed flyer from a mail-order joint with a 1-800 customer service number. Now, years later, they're all right here, only a mouse click or two apart. And they say computers are only a way for Big Brother to keep an eye on us! Those who ducked the saga when it showed on TV, as well as those who can't stand miniseries, also blew the chance to see what Robert Mitchum really was capable of as an actor. Nothing, zilch, zero else he's done comes up to this! Mitchum's other work shows him to be a competent if somewhat generic macho actor, but it's as if Herman Wouk mentally pictured him when he thought Pug Henry up. There are problems, to be sure. Like Polly Bergen's "Rhoda" not being quite the airhead you see in the book. Two different "Natalies" (Ali McGraw died, replaced by "Dr. Quinn's" Jane Seymour). Two different Aaron Jastrows (John Houseman died, John Gielgud took over). Two Byron Henrys (I guess Jan Michael Vincent just tired of the role but Hart Bochner is a bit too dreamboat-ish). But Ralph Bellamy is a brilliant FDR! David Dukes does Leslie Slote as insecure as the book portrays him. Victoria Tennant is delightfully feminine as new love Pamela Tudsbury. If you have the bread, do like I did. Buy all three, view them in order. Unlike me, though, it won't take you for freakin' ever to track the whole thing down!
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Ways to Learn the History of WWII
Review: I think these movies and books are a great way to learn about WWII because the blending of historical figures/events and fictional characters makes it real and holds your interest. You get more of a feel for what people experienced and had to deal with. I think all three volumes ("Winds of War" and "War and Remembrance") were excellent. I bought "Winds of War" and received both volumes of "War and Remembrance" as gifts from my husband and mom. I've read both books twice, and the movies followed the books very well. I think this was because the author of the books, Herman Wouk, wrote the screenplays. I also highly recommend both books.
I think the casting was great. I think Jane Seymour and Ali MacGraw were both good as Natalie (my favorite character in the story). Ali portrayed the spitfire part of Natalie's personality better; but, Seymour brought a depth, compassion and softness to the character that Natalie did possess. I think Natalie should have escaped when she could've, but then the story wouldn't have been as powerful and moving as it was. I believe Wouk had a point to make in writing the story that way. It stressed devotion to a loved one in trouble, and the unwillingness to believe the unthinkable could happen. Both of these were prevalent among the Jewish community in WWII. I think Mitchum & Bergen were great--wonderful chemistry and playing off one another. I think Sir John Gielgud was a better choice for the part of Aaron Jastrow than John Houseman. I liked both Jan Michael-Vincent and Hart Bochner as Briny. I think the part of Hitler in both movies could have been cast better. David Dukes as Slote, Topol as Berel Jastrow and Sami Frey as Rabinovitz were choice--couldn't have been cast better. Eddie Albert as Assistant Secretary of State Breckinridge Long was good. Long was an embarrassment to the U.S. during that time--a person who should have never held that position. (Enough of my political opinion!) Ralph Bellamy as Roosevelt was also great. Robert Hardy as Churchill was good. Bill Wallis as Beck was spooky--he played the part so well.
I've used the movies as a way to teach my children about WWII and the lessons we can learn from it. I am a WWII buff, and have read many factual books on the subject and seen many documentaries. The works by Herman Wouk and Bodie Thoene (also excellent) are the only historical fiction books I've read on the subject. My main interest is the history of the Holocaust, Hitler and the war in Europe. I believe there are many lessons we as individuals and the U.S. as a nation can learn from WWII. History always repeats itself. I also highly recommend the book and movie "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom which chronicles the story of the ten Boom family in WWII Holland as they hid Jews in their home. They were a strong Christian family who were eventually arrested and two of them were sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp. I hope this review is helpful and happy reading and enjoy the movie!
Rating:
Summary: Essence of the Times
Review: I'm not a qualified movie critic but I wanted to concur with the other reviews. The quality of the casting/performances does run the gamut from lackluster to brilliant but, in my opinion, this actually enhances the experience. You don't view this movie, you experience it. It draws you into the uncertainty and the urgency of the period, the dispersal of military families, and the abject horror of war and the holocaust. You have to keep your distance from Schindler's list but you can imagine that you're a part of this great historical work. "Winds" and "War" are as good as any works to come out of Hollywood. Notice that most reviewers "love" it and have to relive it often. It's so real. This film becomes a part of you and you, a part of it.
Rating:
Summary: WHY DON'T UPDATE TO DVD FORMAT
Review: It would be nice to update must of the old TV series to a DVD format, in order to have a chance to remember all greatest moments that you lived when you saw them for the first time.
Rating:
Summary: A small correction to the previous review
Review: Like the other two reviewers of this mini-series, I found this to be an excellent, moving, gripping history of World War II. This series, as well as the previous series, Winds of War, should almost be required viewing for today's generation of high schoolers. I would also like to point out a mistake in the otherwise fine review by the fan from Brockport, NY.: Ali McGraw is not dead! The actress who played the first Natalie is very much alive. I will refrain from making a joke about Ali McGraw's character dying in "Love Story," because how can anyone mention "Love Story" and "War and Remembrance" in the same sentence?
Rating:
Summary: Final Chapter
Review: Now you have entered the Real Nightmare of Hitler's camps. You must finish the journey with the Henrys and the Jastows. The shocking and realistic portrait of these camps and the sea battles will keep you on the edge of your chair all the way.
Rating:
Summary: Best Mini-Series EVER
Review: The entire set, including the soon to be released DVD's of Winds Of War (FINALLY!) is a MUST OWN. Awesome spectacle, super features, and great great photograpghy and history telling! Best telling of WWII on video today-it will never be done like this again due to costs-was $103 million for War And Rembrance, and that was back in the late 80's. ABC could save itself TODAY if they would just rebroadcast both shows in their entirety again-and just THINK of the DVD sales it would generate! Most importantly, the story of the Holocaust NEEDS to be told, again and again, (...)P>Buy these DVD's-NOW-and you will treasure them for life.
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