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Introduces A New Genre To Televison: Historical Fiction Nov 17, 2009
Most entertainment material is separated into two categories...fiction and non-fiction. Either the story is basically true, or comes straight from the imagination of the mind conceiving it. However, author James Michener (whose epic novel this TV series was based on) introduced the public (or at least perfected the genre) to a new kind of entertainment: Historical fiction. In this type of story-telling, the characters themselves may not be real, but (after careful and much-absorbing research) the places, events, and stories they become involved in could very well have happened. Essentially, it is a telling of history through stories based on detailed research of a certain historical era.
Centennial focuses on the development of the American West. From fur trappers and traders Pasquinel and McQueg, to the Indian Wars fought by ruthless men like Col. Skimmerhorn, to the settling of the West (thanks to settlers like Levi Zendt, farmers like Hans "Potatoes" Broombaugh and cattlemen like R.J. Poteet and Jim Lloyd), and finally to the present-day, this TV miniseries follows the development of the American West in a way that very likely transpired. The names are all fictional, of course, but you will easily find yourself wrapped up in the stories of the types of men and women who braved the New Frontier.
To review all 20+ hours of this epic series would be a monumental task, but suffice it to say that each new "episode" brings with it a new and interesting perspective as the West chronologically moves forward. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the whole series, though, is how each part harkens back to the one before it in order to create a chain of events. It's not just one story followed by another...each tale both naturally springs forth from the one preceding it, as well as leads into the next tale. For example, even in the final part of the show set in modern-day "Centennial", the influence of such names as Pasquinel, Lloyd, and Wendell (among others) is just as strong as ever despite those characters having been dead and buried for many years.
About the only negative aspect of the series is that it loses a bit of its incredible momentum toward the later episodes. Whether that is due to the Pasquinel/McQueg story arc being probably Michener's most inspired work (so nothing can live up to that original story), or the fact that the show underwent severe production changes after the first few episodes is unknown, but even then it is still very watchable.
Thus, I highly recommend this series to any student of history (or those who want to become one!) for its ability to show with reasonable certainty what the American West once looked like. You are almost sure to become endeared to many of the show's classic characters, as they are all very well-acted and bring something a bit different to the table, each and every one. It might take you a while to get through this collection, but I assure you that it is well worth the time spent...in fact, you may even be wishing for more!
Great Miniseries Nov 15, 2009
We are so pleased that this was available on DVD. James Michener is a great writer and the series held true to the book. Pioneer life stories at it's best.
Great series Nov 11, 2009
Didn't see the original series, but it sure is a good story. Haven't watched all of it yet, but so far we love it.
 Not a bad mini series Nov 03, 2009
You have to keep two things in mind when watching this 6 disc series:
1. It was filmed in the late 1970's. Technology, make up, and acting are different now.
2. It is not the book. It has to take a lot of short cuts to fit on 6 discs.
That said. It is a solid effort to capture Michener's book, which I have read twice. The first disc does drag a bit and Robert Conrad's fake french accent is annoying at best. The woman playing his white wife is simply terrible and overly melodramatic. But then again her lines are usually awful. But at least the story is interesting and a good setup for the next several discs and the heart of the story.
Up until the last disc the story moves along pretty well. It established several main characters whom you become involved with. Action and writing is pretty good. Yeah, some hokey dialogue and bad aging make up. But I can accept those as 70's film making.
The last disc is simply atrocious. They zip through the 20th century in a rush. I lost track of who was who and found that I didn't really care because the characters were so poorly developed. Decades and generations of people are simply ignored. Then they plop us down into 1976 and I am basically lost.
Andy Griffith, David Janssen, Merle Haggard,and whomever plays the blond reporter are all terrible in their parts. Fifty percent of the last episode is recap which I had to fast forward through. Then it abruptly ends with Merle Haggard singing and more flashbacks. That's the best part of the last episode.
There are some funny and dated moments reminding some of us of what TV quality consisted of in the 70's. Melodramatic acting, over acting, really unconvincing aging as far as makeup and acting, awful acting by several people who have heart attacks, non sensible time jumps. But in all, a pretty fun series. Just do yourself a favor and skip the last disc.
centennial dvd Oct 18, 2009
great movie , great price, and the delivery was very fast. this movie is for any age who likes the history of the making of a our
country purchased from amazon.com
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