Product Details

• Actors: Raymond Burr, Barbara Carrera, Richard Chamberlain, Robert Conrad, Richard Crenna
• Writers: James Michener
• Format: Box set, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 12
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: October 21, 1997
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (480 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0783215126
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,773 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A remarkably ambitious and engrossing project, this 1978 television miniseries ran 26-and-a-half hours, cost a then-enormous $25 million, and involved 4 directors, 5 cinematographers, and somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 speaking parts. Based on James Michener's panoramic bestseller about the settling of the American West--as reflected in the history of a fictional town called Centennial, Colorado--the story begins in the late 18th century and ends with a typical 20th century conflict over land usage. Centennial, however, largely concentrates on various memorable frontiersmen, trappers, Indians, ranchers, cowboys, and farmers from long ago. Richard Chamberlain shines as the pioneer Alexander McKeag, Robert Conrad does some of his best work as French-Canadian Pasquinel, and performances by Alex Karras, Chad Everett, Sally Kellerman, Raymond Burr, Richard Crenna, David Janssen, and Dennis Weaver effectively add to a tapestry of adventure, tragedy, violence, and dubious Western progress. Produced at a time when TV networks were in the throes of acknowledging America's history of racial injustice, the program paints a starkly villainous portrait of opportunists exploiting and destroying Indians in the name of manifest destiny. While the project's great length might make one wary of diving in, Centennial is the sort of carefully paced drama that makes one care about the intertwined destinies of unique characters and how they illuminate America's past. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

314 of 322 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "So good I went searching for the town!", April 28, 2001

By 

Jerry Parks "USAToday All-American Teacher; N... (Lexington, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Centennial Vols 1-12 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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 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".

102 of 105 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent epic equals magnificent story, March 29, 2001

By 

James D. Frie (Faribault, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Centennial Vols 1-12 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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.

73 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Moving Piece of Television I Have Ever Seen, July 2, 2000

By 

"markthomson2" (Essex, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Centennial Vols 1-12 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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.