Product Details

• Actors: Harry Hamlin, Linda Kozlowski, Robert Loggia, John Mahoney, Ronny Cox
• Directors: Jeff Bleckner
• Writers: Steve Sohmer
• Producers: Jonathan Bernstein, Steve Sohmer, Tim Myers
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Lions Gate
• VHS Release Date: March 31, 1992
• Run Time: 172 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302308437
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,885 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Be Wary of the Video's Condensation, March 20, 2001

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Target: Favorite Son [VHS] (VHS Tape)

When I saw that this title was available, I decided to take a look at my copy from the miniseries' original 1988 broadcast. The six-hour drama is one of the best political thrillers to ever grace the small screen. It is unfortunate the the edited version only clocks in at 115 minutes, far shorter than was intended. It can be imagined that some of the superlative writing and performances have been butchered to accomodate the shortened form.

While stars Harry Hamlin, Linda Kozlowski, and the superb Robert Loggia are magnificent, the supporting performances from "Frasier's" John Mahoney, Ronny Cox, veteran character actors James Whitmore and Mitchell Ryan, as well as a young Jason Alexander are remarkable. Perennial muscle heavy Brian Thompson is there, too, in a memorable role as a professional hitman.

The frequent commentaries about our government and the American public, in general, supplied by Mahoney's "Lou Brenner" really have some "teeth" to them.

The book's author Steve Sohmer wrote the teleplay, and it is obvious that both were labors of love. However, this altered edition is not worthy as a purchase. One should try to catch the original should it ever air on cable.

Rating: 5 stars for the original; 1 star for this version = 3 star average

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Target: Whoever watered down this overpriced ruination..., July 3, 2002

By 

Scott Coffman "Scott the Bookman" (Louisville, KY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Target: Favorite Son [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The original miniseries was a riveting and startling film about political ambition gone frighteningly wrong. It even spun off a wonderful but short-lived series ("Mancuso"). The condensation of the movie down to less that two hours destroys any suspense built up during the original's lengthy running time, and if you view the online "preview" of the movie, several important plot points and the very tricky surprise ending are revealed. I'm going to wait patiently for the day the full movie is on DVD.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This movie will blow you away, June 20, 2000

By 

Louis R. diLorenzo (Atlanta, Ga.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Target: Favorite Son [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Originally this was a mini-series on NBC Television starring Harry Hamlin of "LA Law," Linda Koslowski of "Crockadille Dundee," Stephanie Krammer of "Hunter," and Robert Loggia as Nick Manicuso. An NBC television series was spun off from this mini-series starring Loggia called "Manicuso FBI." "Favorite Son" is the story about a U.S. Senator, "Hamlin" who is shot, but still manages to deliver a very heartfelt speach after being wounded which makes him America's "Favorite Son." As a result, he makes a run for the U.S. Presidency. This movie has some incredible twists and a fantastic ending. If you liked the more recent movie, "Wild Things," you should enjoy this.