Journey to the Wild West in the sweeping, sensational epic drama Centennial: The Complete Series! Relive the grand hopes, dreams, loves, and adventures of generations of residents in Centennial, Colorado – from their risky attempts to establish a settlement in 1795 through the politics and power plays of the 20th century. With over 26 TV hours of content on DVD for the first time, this incredible set gives fans the opportunity to own the complete chronicle that showcases one of the finest casts ever assembled, including Richard Chamberlain, Robert Conrad, Timothy Dalton, Mark Harmon, Andy Griffith, Raymond Burr, Dennis Weaver, Lynn Redgrave, Sharon Gless, Stephanie Zimbalist, Sally Kellerman and many more. Based on James Michener’s best-selling novel, this Primetime Emmy®Award-nominated saga is a captivating look at the intertwining lives of the brave men and women in a fictional American town that endured the growing pains of a nation on the rise.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
Buy “Centennial: The Complete Series” For Only $22.40
January 5, 2006
#1
I came across this production at the library the other day.
I began worrying a few minutes into the tape, when the narrator talked about “a massacre that to this day remains one of our nation’s greatest tragedies”. The fact that neither year nor location of this massacre were mentioned – I can only assume he was referring to Wounded Knee – bode ill for the portrayal of Native Americans in this film.
Next, I was treated to an unctuous description of how the area we call Colorado today was formed. A few random animals were shown: eagle, beaver, rattlesnake, bison, and horses. No comment was made that there were no horses on the American continent until the Spaniards “imported” them.
Twenty minutes into the first tape I had to stop watching because I found the way Native Americans are portrayed unbearable: The Arapaho wondering if a white man might be a god? In 1785? After Whites had been in the country for nearly 200 years? (Not to mention that, to the best of my knowledge, Plains Indians’ religions did not include the concept of gods.) And a whole warrior party of Pawnee unable to overpower a single white trader, even fleeing from him – because he fires a gun? Give me a break!
I couldn’t continue watching what seemed like another stereotypical story about “how the West was won” from the superstitious, cowardly Redskins by the superior White man.
January 5, 2006
#2
After watching the first disc of the series I could not beleive that money was spent to tell this story. While the story itself would have been interesting as well as educational, the writing was absolutely terrible and that of a beginner, the adaptation from the book for TV was awful, and direction left more than enough to be desired. If the book by Wilder was anything like its protrayed on the screen I’m glad I haven’t read any of Wilders other books if he’s written any. I can’t beleive I paid money for this series. I’ve seen better writing to tell a story from a middle school student than what was written for the screen here. It’s a shame also because this story of Colorado could have been very educational if it had the proper mechanics to tell it.
January 5, 2006
#3
I would have liked to have actually seen this before being asked to review it. Unfortunately it never arrived. I waited a month (30 days)to ask for its whereabouts as the expected arrival date had been three weeks. I did get a prompt response from the shipper and the next day it was declared: “Lost in the mail.” The shipper said that I would receive a refund to my “Amazon account” in “a week or so.” The week isn’t up yet so I suppose I will have to wait another few days before I inquire into that. I have enjoyed reading reviews of “Centennial” written by people who actually got to see it though.
January 5, 2006
#4
Excellent quality. Very pleased. Would do business with this company again. Also, came fast.
January 5, 2006
#5
Unfortunately, the screen play for this series is soap opera quality. If you have never read the book, you might get some enjoyment out of this. For those who have loved the book, this adaptation of Michener’s work will probably be disappointing.