Customer Reviews

Amerika

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I remember watching this mini-series when it first came out. I thought it was very well-done and a good "What if?" scenario. I hope this series gets put to DVD sometime in the very near future. I would buy it immediately.

If they released this on DVD I would buy it in a second. The mini series etched a place in my mind as a child. The Russians invade the United States and wipe-out the leadership. I will never forget the scene where Congress is massacred. It gave me nightmares. This mini-series when viewed in its context of the Cold War and Red scare phenomenon is frightening. I can't wait until they release it on DVD!

Amerika, the novel, explains more than the movie ever could.

The American President, supposedly Carter, receives a call from the USSR. Their communication satellites are really nuclear weapons, hovering over the US. The US has 8 hours to surrender or be destroyed. After confirmation, the U.S. President forces through the annexing of the US by the USSR.

The USSR, poor and starving, pillages the US of all it's resources. Money, food and anything that is not nailed down goes to the new owners, not to the people. Americans are forced into the same life as their Russian counterparts.

At the same time, the USSR props up the House, Senate and the figurehead President as puppets for Moscow.

Some of it is way too over the top. But, the thought of a bloodless coup is nothing surprising in today's society.

It is slightly scary, with some elements very timely in the age of a 9/11 society.

I also would like to see Amerika put on DVD, with at least one version skillfully edited to retain the important political and human truths in a more viewer-friendly length.

Amerika looks at the possibility of terrible human suffering in our country, from a materialistic point of view--which may make it more accessible to some viewers. In doing this, however, the story's mostly political explanation of how such things could happen here (and have already happened in other places) makes it a less effective preventative.

After the series aired, our local TV station broadcast a discussion open to everyone in the community. At that time, there were many people who had recently escaped totalitarian regimes--e.g., Vietnamese "boat people." They were adamant in telling viewers that Amerika's warning was neither wild-eyed paranoia nor idle speculation.

We still need to remember Amerika.

Having just seen Kris Kristofferson in "Dreamer", it brought back memories of his performance in "Amerika". I'm amazed this has not found its way into DVD. As a baby boomer, I remember the times when it first aired on TV. The basic message is still relevent, and could make for lively discussion in political science classes.

I too watched this series back in the 80s with great interest.

Yes, it could happen here.

Most of us would admit that possibility.
Especially with the current packing of our leaders with types that would not cry over a takeover by Ratchet-Fascism or force.

Do not hold your breath to see this on DVD with out putting out some big bucks on your part and converting it over yourself.

This video has been taken off the shelf.

Ever hear of book burning?

When AMERIKA originally aired on ABC 1987 as a mini-series its first two installments peaked in the ratings. The remaining five nights of the mini-series nose dived into obscurity. The simple truth is that AMERIKA suffered a malady similar to HEAVEN'S GATE in that the film was just too long.

ABC spent $40-million on this production. No doubt the money was recouped from commercial sponsorship, but the film never achieved the success of ROOTS or NORTH AND SOUTH. If AMERIKA had been cut back to two nights we would have been treated to a much quicker paced television movie without all the fluff. AMERIKA instead belabors a story chock full of American apathy, useless cabaret musical numbers, and sympatheic Soviet occupiers.

In summary the United States has been pacified by a Soviet first strike "Star Wars" weapon and is forced to accept surrender terms. Even the Soviet leaders are somewhat disappointed as to how quickly America has given up on itself. On the surface life seems to go on as usual, except that the US Congress debates issues of little significance and the President has no real power. To ensure that the United States never again becomes a world power the Soviets and their United Nations occupation forces -- most Soviet Client countries -- begin dividing up the United States into smaller nations. The breakup of the country is actually facilitated by Americans, including the US Military, who see this as a means to further their own selfish causes. A resistance movement belatedly strikes coordinated blows at the occupying forces in a kind of second American Revolution. Unfortunately the mini-series abruptly ends with the senseless death of the anti-hero and without resolution. In short: No happy ending. Some have speculated that this downbeat ending was in preparation for possible sequels.

Sam Neill and Robert Urich offer credible performances that are overwhelmed by the numerous subplots in the movie. Kris Kristofferson's character is little more than a serious version of TAXI's "Jim Ignatowski" as a former patriotic and maverick politician who has just about lost everything after years in a re-education camp.

AMERIKA generated more controversy before its airing than it ever did during its seven night run. The Soviet empire was fast decaying and Soviet leaders were very sensitive to media that portrayed them as aggressors. Moscow threatened ABC with the closure of its Moscow news bureau, but ABC weathered the storm as the issue garnered free publicity for the upcoming series.

Where RED DAWN succeeded, AMERIKA failed. The dialogue drones on endlessly and the action sequences are limited primarily to the end of the film. Despite the shortcomings of the production it is still something that might be more enjoyable on DVD in that you can watch it at your leisure and easily skip ahead of less critical scenes.

this is a good lession, of what could happen here and it could be done by our own goverment from the inside. if this came out on dvd i would get it for my colection.

I remember this being aired in the 80's; however it should be shown and studied in every classroom in Ameica today. Also show it to all the political and business leaders who are intentionally selling the United States to the highest bidder!

I watched this series and found it deeply thought provoking even in the 80's. Would love to see it released on DVD. It seems the thought police are not interested in this being revived, and yet this movie will touch the soul of our great nation. It challenges the stale emptiness of a land who has lost her passion for the price of freedom. I did find a link on Utube to the original trailor. Kris Kristofferson delivers on his performance, and actually, at the time, caused my wife & I to seek out other films he was cast, as well as Sam Neil. If you get the chance to see it... don't miss it. IMHO