Customer Reviews

Windmills of the Gods [VHS]

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

 

 

When this program originally aired as a made for TV 'Mini-Series,' it was very good. I recorded it, and still have it. This version only runs 95 minutes, and most of the story has been edited out, and many of the details are missing. As an example, the scene where Dr DeForge tells Mary Ashley to go to the pharmacy is missing, not to mention the discovery at the pharmacy. Why couldn't they make this a two tape set, and present a complete version? My own recording is much better.

Widowed political scientist, Professor Mary Ashley is appointed US ambassador to Romania and travels there with her children. She had been offered the posting before her husband was killed in a road accident but turned it down as he couldn't leave his medical patients.Her assistant at the embassy is arrogant, self confident Mike Slade who leads a campaign of resentment against her with the other embassy staff. This state of affairs ends when Mary asserts herself and proves to them that her appointment was no mistake. A group of dissidents from various countries try to block her plans for peace and even go so far as to try to assassinate Mary and her children. It's an old style Cold War thriller, headed by two very attractive actors, Jaclyn Smith and Robert Wagner and was excellent viewing on a cold, winter's night.

I too, have recorded this movie when it was shown on TV in 2 parts. Unfortunately, my copy didn't turn out too well. Once one has seen all of it, can't emagine half a movie being any good. I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller. Lets hope the production company has brains enough to release it again, but d the whole version rather than the cut in half and on DVD. I would be the first to buy it.

This film is a very faithful adaptation of Sidney Sheldon's novel about Mary Ashley, a university professor who's appointed as US ambassador to Romania, only to realize someone wants to kill her. The plot follows the book very closely so there'll be no surprises for viewers who've read the book. And there's not much suspense but it did keep my interest and I wasn't bored by it. Still, there's nothing that sets it apart from hundreds of other similar TV movies. A weak 3 star rating, may have been a stronger 3 star rating if I hadn't read the book.

Though this was made for TV, it is a good old fashioned mystery that those over 35 will enjoy.

The subject of Sidney Sheldon's 'Windmills of the Gods,' written during the Cold War, actually remains topical today -- perhaps it was even ahead of its time as 'the political conspiracy' in this film is no less active today than during the Cold War. Yet, when watching this entertaining film (yes, even the edited version), one can easily see that was produced in another time, a time when dramatic scores and special effects didn't dominate as they do now and the interplay between characters holds center stage.

It's a delight to watch Jaclyn Smith and Robert Wagner play off each other, and a lot of fun to see a young Ian McKellen -- in fact the international cast is impressive. Ruby Dee, Franco Nero, and Michael Moriarty are among a good number of fine actors brought together to make this film.

Any Sidney Sheldon story is a great evening's entertainment, and this film is no exception. Don't worry about the editing-down for the video version -- the story moves along just fine, and everything in the story line is tied up very nicely. Easy to recommend! We loved it.

If there's a title for the "coolest actors" on tv, then, Smith and Wagner will win hands down.

Based on Sidney Sheldon's bestselling novel, this highly rated miniseries, released in 1988 is absolutely engaging from start to finish. It's not an EMMY calibre performance but will surely enjoy the movie from start to finish. Like a Sheldon book, this is hard to resist with wonderful performances from the lead stars.

This is probably the best adaptation of a Sheldon book. Can't wait to see the dvd version....