Product Details

• Actors: Peter Strauss, Nick Nolte, Susan Blakely, Dorothy McGuire, Tim McIntire
• Format: PAL
• Language: English
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 3
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (125 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000063BJ3
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,715 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Rich Man, Poor Man: Book 1 [Region 2]" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

[NON-U.S. FORMAT (PAL) Region 2 U.K. Import - This will not play on U.S./Canada DVD players or those from most other countries outside of Europe. You would need a "multi-region" or "region-free" PAL compatible DVD player or computer.] Book One of the 1976 American mini series adapated from the novel by Irwin Shaw that made Nick Nolte a star. Two strong-willed brothers battle for the attention of their parents and, as World War II ends, begin a 20-year odyssey that will take one to great wealth and power and the other to the brink of destruction. Rudy (Peter Strauss) and Tom (Nick Nolte) Jordache, the sons of an immigrant family, are both fighting to gain the attention of their bitter and disillusioned parents (Edward Asner and Dorothy McGuire). Rudy is industrious and ambitious while Tom is tough and independent, often resorting to vicious pranks to gain attention. Rudy's childhood sweetheart, Julie Prescott (Susan Blakely) tries to convince him to leave their small town, and when Rudy turns her down, she succumbs to the advances of Teddy Boylan (Robert Reed), the town's wealthy playboy. Tom secretly witnesses the affair and sets a fire, hoping to attract Rudy to the scene. However, Tom's plan goes awry and he is banished by his father from the town and his family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the All-Time GREAT TV Miniseries, January 25, 2007

By 

Matthew J. Gallagher (Wilton, Connecticut United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rich Man, Poor man (VHS Tape)

I met Peter Strauss for the first time after a staged reading at the Westport Playhouse, in which he, along with several other wonderful actors, gave a superb reading of a new play. Speaking to him, briefly, afterwards, I mentioned the absence of "Rich Man" on DVD - and he agreed. He told me he is asked this a lot and does not understand why a terrific DVD edition of this classic miniseries is not available. My God, it should be! This was one of the first real TV "events" - must see TV before it really existed - with a superb, involving story of two brothers growing up in turbulent times, their lives and loves, and their ultimate search for happiness. The acting could not be better. Peter Strauss has always been an underrated actor, in my opinion. In "The Jericho Mile" he gives a landmark performance. Here, in "Rich Man," he believably ages from a high school student to an older, forlorn Senator trying to reclaim his humanity. It was an honor to speak to Mr. Strauss, who could not have been more gracious. He was eager to see this miniseries on DVD and was also interested in being part of an "extras" package to boot. Can you imagine getting Mr. Strauss and Nick Nolte back to discuss the legendary film that began both their careers? EVERY actor here gives a unique performance. It was one of the unforgettable TV miniseries. It deserves a gold star treatment!

UPDATE on DVD release! "Rich Man, Poor Man" is a five star production, but the DVD release rates barely A STAR AND A HALF - it is almost a travesty. I would like to commend Mr. Strauss, brilliant in the role in both series, for offering an excellent, perceptive, and interesting one hour long commentary track to accompany the first hour of the original series - but that is the ONLY recommendation I can give to this product.

First, the video transfer is poor - there is NO high definition upgrade to the original show at all, so it looks like a typical TV show from the '70's, no upgrades at all. The sound quality is also poor.

Second, and most important, the DVD has been EDITED! Incredibly enough, there are whole scenes missing from the DVD - most grievously, in the final hour of the show, after Rudy nearly loses his career after hurting a college girl, whose photo club had taken nude pictures of a drunken Julie, there is a MISSING SCENE when we see the Van Johnson character return to tell Rudy that his political career can be saved - which leads directly back to the scenes where Julie begins to drink again and, inadvertently, causes a tragedy. The scene is gone! And parts of other scenes, including the introductions to the openings, also appear to be trimmed.

I bought some foreign copies of both series some time ago - and both were better than this product. Make no mistake - A & E did this on the cheap and ended up leaving a tarnished legacy for a landmark series. It is STILL worth watching, for all the wonderful stories it tells, but this DVD product is a disgrace - and you will have to find another DVD or VHS tape to actually see the WHOLE series. The VHS tapes actually seem to have better sound and picture quality and more beautifully packaged as well. I would stick with them, except that Book Two, which has great moments, is not available on VHS tapes, but only on foreign DVD's, which, I'm sure, are of better quality than this disgrace. At least these shows don't appear to be edited.

Too bad. Again, Mr. Strauss's commentaries are worth hearing, but I wish there was more. That's the ONLY extra for the high price you are paying. Such a disappointment. Wasn't there ANYONE of any knowledge working for A & E who could have overseen this transfer? For the price you are paying, you deserve better.

73 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of the Best!, October 26, 2005

By 

Movie Nut (New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rich Man, Poor man (VHS Tape)

I would have to rate this as the best mini-series ever produced. I recently got to see it again after about 25 years. I borrowed it from the library, which seems like the only place that still might have a copy. I recall when it was first on TV, I think it was an ABC Movie Event. Sitting each week enthralled in the storyline and then waiting for the next episode. This was the most thrilling thing to ever have been on television and it has stayed with me all these years. I became a life long Nick Nolte fan after seeing 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. I only wish this was on DVD! With all the junk that is put on DVD, why not something this ground breaking???

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich man Poor man come to DVD PLEASE, June 14, 2006

By 

Kathie Goodrich - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rich Man, Poor Man: Book 1 [Region 2] (DVD)

I remember watching this mini-series on TV for something like 13 wks & we NEVER missed an episode..But thats been SO LONG AGO! C'mon lets get it on DVD...This was & is an excellent movie... They put stupid, crappy ones on DVD-VHS...whay can't they put some classic mini sereis on like this one!!??