Customer Reviews

Chiefs TV-Mini Series [VHS]

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I still place Stuart Woods's "Chiefs" among the best police dramas ever written. Since I learned that a TV adaptation of the book was made, I've always wanted to see it - and, about a year ago, I finally found and bought the DVD release of the series (which seems to be unavailable outside R2). I actually did not expect much, but what I received surprised me - and it was a positive surprise. The series is an excellent adaptation of the novel and manages to do it justice, which is a rarity... as is the fact that very little of the book's plot is omitted. Certainly, some of the details - such as Will Henry's growing obsession with the mysterious murders, and the technical sides of his investigation - have to be treated superficially, but every important subplot and aspect of the book is present in the film; consequently, the series manages to be just as thrilling and involving as the novel. Amusingly enough, the credits on the box of the DVD misled me slightly - I assumed Charlton Heston, Keith Carradine and Billy Dee Williams would be playing the three chiefs, chronologically; of course, this is not the case. Of course, a Collector's Edition, with some extras and a commentary (perhaps even by Stuart Woods?) would be even better, since the DVD I have is bare-bones, with only a spartan menu and chapter selection, but that's unlikely to happen with a TV series. Then again, it's been done with, for instance, "IT!", so... you never know. If a Special Edition DVD is ever released, I'll certainly buy it in addition to the standard one I have.

This film was made at a time when the big networks, in this case CBS, took pride in making tv movies and mini-series. Excellent attention to detail in just about every aspect of this 3 part movie. As the film moves from the 1920's to the 1940's and eventually the 1960's the viewer gets to see the town of Delano Georgia grow and change. It almost seems as though Delano is a real town. The costumes, settings and props for each time setting were well done.

This mini-series stick very close to the original story written by Stuart Woods. During a 40 year time frame 3 different police chiefs try to solve the various and ongoing murders that are taking place in the vicinity of Delano. Young male transients are being kidnapped and sexually assaulted before they are murdered. Racial tensions run high in Delano and add to the difficulty in solving the murders. Good acting by all who participated. Charlton Heston, Paul Sorvino, Brad Davis and Billy Dee Williams were at the top of their acting game in this mini-Series.

I was able to tape the original 3 part mini-series when it was first aired and despite some drop in quality due to age this mini-series is a favorite of mine and viewed at least once a year. For those who enjoyed the film they may want to read and or watch the story and film GRASS ROOTS. This story continues to follow the Lee family as one of their members attempts to become a U.S. Senator. During the race another racially motivated murder in Delano complicates matters.

Lastly, this mini-series truely deserves to be released in DVD format. I hope the DVD producers release the full 3 part 6 hour (with commercials) series and not the edited and scaled down VHS version that was released previously.

I greatly enjoyed this three-part series when it was televised back in 1983. Based on the novel by Stuart Woods (which I later read), it covers three generations of police officers in the town of Delano, Georgia, and the deadly secret that they all will face. For its first chief, Delano decides to hire "a good man," so Wayne Rogers (Trapper John on "MASH") is the choice. Next was the corrupt officer (Brad Davis), followed by the town's first black officer (Billy Dee Williams at the height of heartthrob-ness, having just been Lando in "Star Wars"). Charlton Heston and Keith Carradine have recurring roles. I would enjoy seeing this again on DVD, though I wonder if it would be a full release or the 3.5-hour edited version I've heard about on VHS.

I first saw this miniseries when I was 13 years old and I can still watch it over and over! It's a great story about a series of murders in ficticious Delano Georgia that span a 40+ year period and the three police chiefs who work to solve them. The series begins in the early 1920s and the first chief is Will Henry Lee (Wayne Rogers), an easygoing and fair minded family man who is respected by Delano's white and black communities. Lee comes close to solving the case until something unfortunate happens (no spoilers here). The series fast forwards to 1945 at the end of WWII and the next chief is Sonny Butts (Brad Davis), a despicable racist who is appointed when the previous chief dies of a sudden heart attack. Butts is hardly qualified to be chief but is apparently put in his position to keep Delano's black community in line. His wishes to solve the murders pales in comparison to his obsession with doing away with Marshall Peters (Danny Glover), a black businessman who is also the unofficial leader of Delano's black community. Butts also comes close to solving the case until he too is thwarted.

We next go to 1962 and the third chief is Tyler Watts (Billy Dee Williams), a black military police officer whose appointment is pushed by Lieutenant Governor Billy Lee (Stephen Collins), former Chief Will Henry's son. In spite of the racism directed toward him from the community and other law enforcement officials (including a bumbling officer who profiles him as a car thief only to have his face hit the floor when he finds out that his suspect is the chief), Watts doesn't back down or lose his focus. He later proves his detractors wrong and the ending is very heart touching.

"Chiefs" was very well acted for a TV miniseries. Brad Davis' portrayal of Sonny Butts is as real and convincing as you'll find and Billy Dee Williams' bold confrontations with the local bigots, the sheriff and others remind me so much of Sidney Poitier from "In The Heat Of The Night" that it gets me out of my seat when I see it. Seeing him getting his officers in line and drilling them after they initially accuse him of being a car thief is classic. Other fine performances are given by Charlton Heston as town founder Hugh Holmes (who also narrates the series), Keith Carradine as dog breeder/murderer "Foxy" Funderburke and Stephen Collins as Billy Lee. It's not exactly the classic mystery/social commentary that "In The Heat Of The Night" was but for a miniseries, it comes very close.

This mini series, "Chiefs" from the book by Stuart Woods, was first shown in Australia on the Ten Network in the early 80s and presented by Bill Collins. He gave it a great review and spoke about the characters and the powerful story line. From the moment I first watched it I was hooked!The characterisation and intensity of the acting is nothing short of stunning! The adherance to details of the period settings, from the 1920s to the early 1960s is spot on, including the changing style of automobiles (unlike some period movies where you sometimes see a 1970s car in a film set in the 1930s - check out Great Waldo Pepper! - with apologies to the late George Roy Hill!)
The story follows three generations of police chiefs in small town America, and is essentially a story of good verses bad. The good characters of Will Henry and Billy Lee, Hugh Holmes, and Tyler Watts battle against police corruption, Ku Klux Klan, bigotry, murder, and racism. The "bad" characters of Foxy Funderburke, Sonny Butts, Hoss and Emmett Spence and Skeeter Willis balance out the other side of the coin. There are so many outstanding pieces to this story it is hard to choose one character above all the others, however my personal choice for sheer intensity of characterisation would have to be Sonny Butts (portrayed by the late Brad Davis.)
However - one major complaint!
The series was originally shown on television in Australia over three nights in three, two hour blocks, including commercials, critiques, and pre and end credits. This would mean a running time of a little over 4 hours. The film was released on DVD in the UK on Region 2 and just recently in Australia on Region 4 with a running time of 3 hrs 20 mins, and several major scenes have been either deleted completely or cut short. This spoils the storyline and is completely unnecessary and frustrating. Also the picture quality is lacking in contrast and sharpness. I therefore hope that it will receive a new DVD release with EVERY scene included IN FULL!, as I'm sure the director originally intended. It would probably require a 2 DVD set rather than the single disc set available currently

I first saw this movie when I was a teenager. My mother recorded it onto a VHS tape. I still have this old tape. I pull it out at least twice a year to watch it. If you want to see a good movie, watch the movie "Chiefs". I will be happy when and if it becomes available on DVD, so I could finally dump the old VHS tape!!!!! This movie covers so many topics. The reality of racism is explored over the course of several generations and the fact that evil can come from places people least expect are just a few of the subjects covered in this movie. "Chiefs" just gripped me from the beginning. Excellent movie!!! POWERFUL!

I just finished reading the book "Chiefs" and decided to try and find the movie and compare the two. I personally think that books are better because movies leave out too much vital information. I recommend Stuart Woods' books to anyone that likes to read.

I have been a reader for 44 years, since I was 12 years old. CHIEFS is one of the best books I have ever read. It was not until I was finished with it that I found out it had been a mini-series on TV in the 80s. The story is full of honorable men doing their best against many prejudices in the South. It took 43 years to solve the mystery of the missing youths and who their killer was. I said to my husband - boy you'd like this if it were a movie. The snaking plot(s) fit right in with what I like to watch on TV. A touch of the Old West, small town living, Southern attitudes, and heroes!

Have not seen this movie in over 10 years - had been looking for it - I guess not hard enough! In any case - the video is in Great condition, shipped really fast - owner took great care of the movie and I trully thank him for auctioning it. If YOU dont have this movie GET it - no cussing, no blood and guts - just a GREAT MOVIE - ok I'll stop saying great and say SIMPLY OUTSTANDING!!!

Angela Riley

I first watched "Chiefs" when I was about 14- my aunt taped the whole mini-series for my family, and we all enjoyed it immensly.(A bit heavy subject for a 14-year-old, but a definate eye-opener, on racism, politics AND hitchhiking!) It is about three successive police chiefs in a small Southern town, how each deals with the myriad prejudices against Colored People, and a decades-long case involving the mysterious disappearances of young boys hitchhiking through (as well as the political aspects of)the town. It is a very sad conclusion, when they discover what happenened to the boys, but an excellent series overall.
However, my mother eventually bought the VHS version when it came out, and we were very dissapointed to find that many memorable scenes were cut out- in particular, my favorite, where Billy Lee(up & coming politician & all-around good guy)invites his fellow politicians to lunch (to discuss deplorable prison conditions) -at the prison! -I would only buy the DVD edition if the WHOLE, COMPLETE series were there,(lots of room on DVD's I'm told) -a commentary on the series and book, as well as interviews with actors would also be great, if available!
Hard to pick a favorite actor here, as everyone in the movie was top-notch, but Billy Dee Williams got the best part in the whole movie, when he proclaims to the rednecked hicks that arrest him for no better reason than being a Black Man(I speak as a white chick), "My name is Tyler Watts- but you can call me "Chief"! -Well worth watching even once, if just to draw your own conclusions- but I warn you, if you like it, you'll be hooked! If you don't....well, we'll probably be hearing from you! :)