Centennial Vols 1-12 | 
| Directors: Harry Falk, Bernard Mceveety (ii), Paul Krasny
Actors: William Atherton, Raymond Burr, Barbara Carrera, Richard Chamberlain, Robert Conrad
Studio: Universal Studios
List Price: $99.98
Buy New: $35.79
You Save: $64.19 (64%)
New (7) Used (23) Collectible (2) from $35.79
Rating:  173 reviews
Sales Rank: 2092
Format: Box Set, Color, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 12
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 0783215126
UPC: 096898247931
EAN: 9780783215129
ASIN: 0783215126
Theatrical Release Date: October 1, 1978
Release Date: October 21, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Still in wrapping
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| 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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 168 more reviews...
GREAT SERIES BUT UNIVERSALS RELEASING IT July 24, 2008
James L. Palos (ft plain ny)
I SAW THE ORIGINAL SERIES AND HAD IT ON VHS WHICH WAS 12 TAPES THE DVD SHOULD BE GREAT BUT UNIVERSAL STUDIO IS FAMOUS FOR DISC GLITCHES REMEMBER MIAMI VICE SEASON ONE FIRST EPISODE BIG FREEZE GLITCH THERE I BOUGHT 4 TIL I GOT A GOOD ONE SAME FOR BELA LUGOSI COLLECTION BIG GLITCH SIDE ONE DISC ONE THEY SHOULD JUST CHARGE MORE AND STOP RECORDING ON 2 SIDES OF DISC THIS CAUSES LASER ROT I HOPE CENTENNIAL IS SINGLE DISCED
Centennial....a history lesson a hundred years in the making! June 27, 2008
Eva L. Smith (Poteau, Ok USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
At long last on DVD!! I recorded this series on vhs when it was being televised. It was a labor of love and I'm so excited that finally it is becoming available on DVD. This is HOW THE WEST WAS WON on steroids. It features an all star cast and follows the town of Centennial, Colorado from conception to present day. If you like the Michener historical novels, you will love this presentation. It has great detail and interesting twists to keep you on the edge of your seat...
Finally on DVD! June 15, 2008
L. Besink (NJ)
Thank goodness Centennial will finally be available on DVD. My husband and I have put off buying the VHS in the hopes that it would eventually find its way to DVD. I recall vividly watching the original airing and the two of us fell in love with it. One of the catch phrases in our house is "Catch many beaver" as Pasquinel often said! My husband met Robert Conrad shortly after Centennial ran and they both joked about it. We're looking forward avidly to July 29!
There is a God in Heaven! June 7, 2008
Valley Oak
I'm so happy that Centennial is finally being released on dvd. The only reason we still have a vcr is to watch the vhs version of this miniseries. James Michener is a master storyteller and this adaption of his novel is superb. I remember eagerly awaiting each new installment on NBC and fell in love with the characters. The story will draw you in and keep you glued to your seat. You will come to care for and never forget these characters, and Merle Haggard's song at the end of the movie is beautiful.
Can't Wait for the DVD May 28, 2008
D. Nufer
I saw this with my family when I was a kid in the '70s, when it first aired. Since the invention of the DVD, I've been waiting for this to get released, so I can show it to my kids. (Over the years, I've been able to tape most of the episodes from TV, but never got them all. I wanted to make sure I had the whole series before I showed it to my kids.)
The series is phenominal. The only way they could screw this up would be a bad video transfer to disk. Here's hoping they get it right!
BTW, one of the unique things about this is that several actors played opposite their stereotypes. Actors we love to hate played endearing roles in here (such as William Atherton who played an EPA agent in Ghostbusters makes a great "Jim Lloyd" in this series), and actors who play likable characters in other films make stunning villains in this, (such as Richard Crenna's "Skimmerhorn"). And, you just gotta love Robert Conrad's "Pasquinel", even though he IS a scoundrel.
Now, if they'd just release the three mini-series "How the West Was Won" starring James Arness....
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