Centennial: The Complete Series
by Bernard McEveety, Harry Falk, Paul Krasny, Virgil W. Vogel
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Barbara Carrera, Raymond Burr, Richard Chamberlain, Richard Crenna, Robert ConradDirector: Bernard McEveety, Harry Falk, Paul Krasny, Virgil W. Vogel
Brand: UNI DIST CORP. (MCA)
Writer: Charles Larson
Writer: Jerry Ziegman
Writer: John Wilder
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 1252 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-07-29
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Centennial: The Complete Series
Movie Review: Great Great Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I was 12 years old when this movie played in the 70s. Over all these years, I remembered only one part of the story. The part of an Amish guy running away with an orphan girl, and how exciting their romance seemed to me. And then her getting bit on the neck by a snake and dying. And how sad I was for him. Did not remember that the two actors were Gregory Harrison and Stepanie Zimbalist - actors I later knew in the 80s and 90s in other shows. They seemed so young too. But it was fun to see that segment of the story over again, and to recognize them now as two of my favorite actors.
Well I'm in my mid 40s now, and for a couple years I was on the Amazon list to be notified when this movie was released on dvd. It came about 10 days ago, but my decorative box was ripped. Amazon sent another copy right away. I want to mention that because I was very impressed at how fast they moved to address my complaint.
When it arrived last Friday I had a dilemma. I had sooo many things to do that weekend. It was a choice of doing those things or watching the movie. The movie won. Ended the weekend with a sore backside from sitting so long, but it was worth it.
I kind of see the movie as having 3 main periods. The early period, the middle period, and the last episode that takes place in modern times. My two favorite characters were played by Richard Chamberlain and Gregory Harrison. Both were salt of the earth type characters. I read someone else's opinion that Gregory Harrison was miscast. Could not disagree with that more. He played the part perfectly. It was totally believable to me that his character would have won the respect and admiration of the Indians and settlers alike.
I had a bunch of emotions watching the film. Seeing the young people grow old, and then die (the movie covered roughly 200 years, and had many `main' characters), it gave me a feeling of how temporary our existence is here. And how our lives can matter if we try to be people like McKeag (Chamberlain) or Levi Zendt (Harrison). Or that our lives could be utterly wasted like Zendt's daughter Clemma's. A tragic figure in the movie. I guess it made me reflect on life in general. And the sense of how our surroundings change over time. My home town in Idaho, for example had only 9,000 people in it when we moved there in the 60s, but today has nearly 150,000. It isn't the same place. It isn't as special. I sensed that in the movie too. Clearly the area the movie took place in went downhill with the population increase.
I liked that as a main character came onto the scene, we got to know him or her, and then experienced their death - and then there were other characters to move the story forward. What I did not like is that that sense of closure with some of these characters was lost in the middle part of the movie. What happened to Lucinda McKeag? To her half sister Lisette? Lisette's husband Mercy was a pretty central figure in the middle part of the movie, but after the trial over the Indian massacre, not a word about him? What happened to the Zendt children? We never found out how or in what way Charlotte passed on, and many of the others. I realize there were many, many characters. But it seems to me that there were a few too many flashbacks, and the flashbacks were far too long. The flashbacks showed entire sequences from the earlier discs, and they could have used that time to give us more closure with some of the characters we all liked so much. I mean, suddenly it was the 1970's and all those great characters were now dead for several decades, and we don't know their endings. That part I did not like.
But regardless, the movie has to be one of the greatest films in history. And when you find yourself having such a great time getting into a story - you don't want it to end. With most movies you get 2, maybe 3 hours. But with this one - 26 hours! The experience lasts...
If you like a good story - stock up on some food. Get plenty of liquids set about you... turn off the phone...tell friends to stay away... and just enjoy watching this great movie that gives you such a sense of history and of life in general. Just take a few short breaks to sleep.. then proceed where you left off.
Summary of Centennial: The Complete Series
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.Similar DVD Movies
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