Centennial: The Complete Series

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".


Magnificent epic equals magnificent story   March 29, 2001
 45 out of 46 found this review helpful

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.


"So good that I went looking for the town!!"   December 29, 1998
 30 out of 30 found this review helpful

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".


The Most Moving Piece of Television I Have Ever Seen   July 2, 2000
 32 out of 33 found this review helpful

I first saw this masterpiece way back in 1979 or 1980 and enjoyed it immensely but it has never been repeated here in the UK. I have had to wait for the invention of the web to order a copy, but the wait was worth while. I have been intersted in the history of the west for a number of years and found this informative, entertaining and extemely moving. The actors are fantastic, especially the early years with Robert Conrad and Richard Chamberlain et al - they play it so well. I also like the way the story unfolds as does the town of Centennial - the people who made the town and developed it and the moving stories of their history. Two aspects must not be missed out - the breathtaking scenery of the Rockies - I only hope to visit some time. Secondly the very moving and disturbing history of the decline and annilation of the Native Americans of the Plains. This is perhaps the single most moving and important underlying tone of the story, where some want to destroy, and some who respect and love them, want to save them. This is perhaps one of the greatest productions of cinema I have ever seen if not the greatest - the acting, the scenery but most of all the story of the west, the story of America. I would reccomend this to anyone - I will watch it over and over again.


It is finially coming!   February 5, 2008
 20 out of 20 found this review helpful

I almost fell out of my chair a few moments ago. After 6 years of searching the internet for news of it's release, I come by this tonight:

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Centennial-DVDs-Planned/8920

Centennial (mini-series) -A Release - At Long Last! - For The Classic NBC Mini-Series Based On James Michener's Novel
We've Got The Scoop On The Long-Awaited Release Date!
Posted by David Lambert
2/04/2008


Longtime TVShowsOnDVD readers will remember back in May 2004, when we spoke about the so-called "Uni-book", a nicely bound promotional book that talked about Universal Studios and their new "TV to DVD initiative" (up until that point, the studio wasn't really participating in the TV-DVD genre, despite owning many highly-desired properties). The book listed, briefly or in great detail, background info about 41 classic shows that Universal has the rights to, and intended to release on DVD. At this point there are still 5 of these which have never had any sort of release on DVD, including the final one in the book: the classic mini-series Centennial.

The 1978 production, based on James Michener's novel, starred a huge cast including the likes of Michael Ansara, William Atherton, Raymond Burr, Barbara Carrera, Richard Chamberlain, Robert Conrad, Richard Crenna, Timothy Dalton, Chad Everett, Sharon Gless, Andy Griffith, Mark Harmon, Gregory Harrison, David Janssen, Alex Karras, Brian Keith, Sally Kellerman, A. Martinez, Donald Pleasence, Lynn Redgrave, Dennis Weaver, Robert Vaughn, Anthony Zerbe and Stephanie Zimbalist. Fans have certainly been waiting to add this title to their DVD collection, and now we have the scoop on when you can do just that!

Our very reliable industry sources tell us that Universal has leaked info that this 12-part miniseries will come to DVD at last on July 8th. There is a high level of confidence about that, although with this much lead time it is of course subject to change. The first and last episode in the series were each three hours long, with the others in between were two hours each, so this can probably be expected to come as a 7-disc set (assuming all discs are single-sided), with room for extras (if the studio decides to include any).

This is still a while off, but pencil it in on your calendar and put a few bucks aside for it. And stay tuned; we'll keep you posted with any further developments, just as soon as we find out more!




I already have it marked on my calendar. I really hope they do a good job on this, remastered sound and picture would be a dream come true.