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".


Memorable, if overlong western epic   September 9, 2001
 98 out of 134 found this review helpful

The mammoth western epic "Centennial" has always deserved a storied place in television history.

This ambitious effort, based on the James Michener novel of the same name, attempts to cover the history of the state of Colorado, from the days of the Native Americans to the political/environmental dealings of modern times. Clocking in at 24 hours, it's probably safe to say that rarely has so much effort been put into the television medium. Unfortunately, "Centennial" would have been better served to cut it's running time in half.

The first five episodes of "Centennial," dealing with the settling of the American frontier and the eventual clash between pioneers and Native Americans, are some of the finest hours ever produced for television. This 1978 miniseries provides an early sympathetic view of the Native American, from the appealing chief Lame Beaver, played convincingly by Michael Ansara, to his daughter Clay Basket sympathetically played by Barbara Carrera. Throw into this mix the stormy relationship of trappers Pasquinel (Robert Conrad) and McKeag (Richard Chamberlain), and you have great drama on the untamed frontier. Their lives, and the rustic, changing world in which they live, makes for terrific historical fireworks.

Of course, Conrad's performance as Pasquinel, a colorful and memorable character if ever there was one, is one of the finest of his erratic career. As soon as his character leaves the film, there is an emptiness to the drama which is never quite replaced. And this emptiness damages the overall memory of this western epic.

Episode five, which details the disturbing true-life incident of the Sand Creek Massacre, in which hundreds of Native Americans were brutally murdered, is probably the last hurrah of "Centennial." The film soon switches gears to detail ranching life, farming struggles and the Depression. But the sense of wonder and awe seems to disappear, as the film wallows in a series of cliches (Brian Keith as the town sheriff is almost laughably bad) which resembles poor soap opera. The characters are not as multi-dimensional, and certainly not as inspiring.

"Centennial" rebounds somewhat during the twelth and final episode in which the valid question is raised as to what type of industry is best for the state of Colorado -- living off the land as our ancestors did, or mining the countryside for its resources. David Janssen is superb as a ranch owner and descendent of Pasquinel. His brooding intensity practically washes away the bad taste left from the frustrating boredom of the previous four episodes.

"Centennial" boasts one of the most extraordinary casts ever assembled for a motion picture. Almost too many to mention, some nods of respect must be given to Conrad, Chamberlain, Janssen, Chad Everett, Richard Crenna (in a particularly villainous role), Carrera, Lynn Redgrave, Gregory Harrison and Dennis Weaver (absolutely terrific as trail boss R.J. Poteet).

Appropriate kudos must be given to the beautiful cinemaphotography and the exciting musical score of John Addison.

"Centennial," essentially is a television history of the United States, from the early settlers to modern times. No stone is left unturned in this epic journey, and if the ambition was a bit more than these filmmakers could actually achieve given the restraints of the budget and the limitations of its marathon length, one can forgive these starry-eyed dreamers for losing steam during the final episodes.

Based on the first five episodes (11 hours) alone, "Centennial" is one of the finest works in television history. As a whole, the film sputters to a three-star rating. But for patient viewers, there are many diamonds to discover in the rough, unforgiving land known as "Centennial."


Centennial is Faithful Adaptation of Michener's Book   August 5, 2005
 54 out of 58 found this review helpful

James A. Michener's "Centennial" is arguably his best literary work. Released in 1976, at the bicentennial of our nation's history, "Centennial" was the novel blockbuster of the year. The screen adaptation became a bi-monthly serial that originally aired on NBC in the late 1970's. I can recall viewing it for the first time way back then and having to wait expectantly for the next show. The made-for-tv movie is a faithful adaptation of Michener's epic novel, and like the novel, is lengthy, but is a fascinating story in itself that is over 18 hours long! Each VHS cassette is a mini-novel in itself dealing with a specific time period in Michener's book. It makes for excellent family viewing and is appropriate for all member of the family, from kids to grandparents.

I recommend that the buyer purchase the VHS collection in "used" condition. The set is so large that most viewers will only watch it once and then shelve it. This is not to say that it is not a quality production; rather, it's length is such that it affords itself to one viewing only. Once you watch it, either save it for viewing years later, or sell it on E-Bay. In either case, this is an epic video production that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig




"....ONLY THE ROCKS LIVE FOREVER"!   August 16, 2004
 47 out of 52 found this review helpful

McKeag and Pasquinel, were best friends, whose loyalty to each other inspired a nation, and evolved into one of the most exciting and truly unforgettable 29 hour epic adventures of all time. Richard Chamberlain, as Alexander McKeag, gave one of the most amazing, and inspiring performances of his career. The tough, yet gentle Scotsman, found himself a whole new world, and left that world an amazing legacy, when his life was saved by Pasquinel, played by the wonderful Robert Conrad. These courageous and daring trappers, befriended Indians, gained the respect of the white man, and with insight and determination, eventually formed the fictional town of CENTENNIAL.

The handsome and classy Richard Chamberlain played against type, transforming himself into the rugged, crusty, frontiersman. What a sensational frontiersman he was! When the gorgeous Alexander McKeag, with glorious golden red/blonde hair, and matching beard, emerges on the screen, he literally takes your breath away. The handsome actor is beyond spectacular, when he slips effortlessly into the role of Alexander McKeag, a kind, yet tough Scotsman. As always with Richard Chamberlain, you get a top-notch performance, and an actor who is just fabulous to look at, as an added bonus. He is such a gorgeous man, he can't look bad, even when he tries. He looked and sounded so Scottish (perfecting a flawless Scotch brogue), that this character may well have been his career Magnum Opus! He was absolutely marvelous! One is amazed, the Indians let him get away, without confiscating that glorious head of hair for their trophy poles.

In his memoirs, Richard Chamberlain shared, that just prior to making this movie, he had met and begun a relationship, with his life-long partner of 28 years, Martin Rabbett. The actors had barely established a home in New York, when Richard got the call to come to Colorado for a six month shoot. Richard was in turmoil, as he guessed his young love would probably balk at his leaving, and he was right. After seeing him in this film, if I were Martin, I would have pitched a fit also. With that golden red/blonde hair and beard, looking like an Adonis in leather and suede, I wouldn't have let him out of my sight without a fuss either. Richard Chamberlain also states in his memoirs, that this character was his second favorite role, his first playing Wild Bill Hickok, in the stage production of "Fathers And Sons." How interesting, that this classy, sophisticated, glamorous actor, so enjoyed playing crusty, cowboy, frontiersmen types. This certainly accentuates his versatility and broad acting range.

Both Chamberlain and Conrad were absolutely fabulous as the best friends, McKeag and Pasquinel. The two actors brought to the screen an interesting and intriguing magic! Both men loved the same woman, Clay Basket; but McKeag contented himself by delivering her children and helping her raise them, as the trapper, Pasquinel had another family and was gone for many months and sometimes years. Though McKeag was bitterly disappointed in losing "the love of his life," he never let it interfere with his loyalty and friendship to the "free spirited" Pasquinel. He could have seduced the lonely Clay Basket, as she secretly loved McKeag as well as Pasquinel, but his integrity would never allow him to take advantage of his best friend. One of my favorite scenes in the entire film, is McKeag and Pasquinel dancing the Highland Fling together. In the film, the friends had a passionate disagreement, and McKeag invites Pasquinel to dance out their bad feelings, which led to a wonderful reconciliation. Later, the dance is again repeated with Jacques Pasquinel, as McKeag danced out the hostilities between himself and his troubled half-breed step-son. Richard Chamberlain, who is an outstanding dancer, delights his friends, as he kicks up his heels and shows his exceptional dancing ability. Richard Chamberlain fans will agree that this was the charming actor's most loveable role. You will love, and never forget, his inspiring Alexander McKeag! The great French trapper Pasquinel, was also Robert Conrad's best performance ever.

Each night, a new cast of wonderful stars, continued the story, taking the viewer through new generations of progeny, responsible for settling the west. Each video, gives its own account, weaving a tapestry of exalted emotion, based on great drama, history, heartbreak, hope, disappointment, renewal, discouragement, love, hate, life, death, despair and triumph, in the lives of fictional characters across a span of 200 years. Robert Conrad and Richard Chamberlain were the heart and soul of this epic, two great actors, chiseling each others magnificent performances, like iron sharpening iron. SUPERB! This outstanding cast, with their masterful character portraits, and the Mini-Series itself should have had awards galore! A special tribute to Doug McKeon, the child actor, who charmed his audience off their feet, with his sensational portrayal as the son of the deceptive Windells. I hope CENTENNIAL will come out on DVD and take its rightful place of importance as "A BEST FILM" of all time.

No one can teach history like the masterful James Michener. This film has breathtaking scenery of The Rockies, a moving depiction of the decline, and annihilation of our Native American Indians, and an emphasis on the LAND.......THE BEST PART OF AMERICA! He examines a war between CARETAKERS, who respected the land, its power, its majesty, and understood that if the land is to take care of us, we must first learn how to care for it, and TAKERS, who raped, and ravaged the land, taking what they wanted, leaving nothing in return. Michener poignantly points to the LAND.... a life force of its own....emphasizing...."ONLY THE ROCKS LIVE FOREVER".




Magnificent epic equals magnificent story   March 29, 2001
 42 out of 43 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.