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| Directors: Bernard Mceveety, Harry Falk, Paul Krasny, Virgil W. Vogel
Actors: William Atherton, Raymond Burr, Barbara Carrera, Richard Chamberlain, Robert Conrad
Studio: Universal Studios
List Price: $99.98
Buy Used: $29.57
You Save: $70.41 (70%)
New (8) Used (26) Collectible (3) from $29.57
Rating:  271 reviews
Sales Rank: 3268
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: Centennial Vols 1-12, VHS tapes in original slipcases, in original box, all in very good condition guaranteed.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 271
It is finially coming! February 5, 2008
Chris Meece (Somerset, KY United States)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
I almost fell out of my chair a few moments ago. After 6 years of searching the internet for news of it's release, I come by this tonight:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Centennial-DVDs-Planned/8920
Centennial (mini-series) -A Release - At Long Last! - For The Classic NBC Mini-Series Based On James Michener's Novel
We've Got The Scoop On The Long-Awaited Release Date!
Posted by David Lambert
2/04/2008
Longtime TVShowsOnDVD readers will remember back in May 2004, when we spoke about the so-called "Uni-book", a nicely bound promotional book that talked about Universal Studios and their new "TV to DVD initiative" (up until that point, the studio wasn't really participating in the TV-DVD genre, despite owning many highly-desired properties). The book listed, briefly or in great detail, background info about 41 classic shows that Universal has the rights to, and intended to release on DVD. At this point there are still 5 of these which have never had any sort of release on DVD, including the final one in the book: the classic mini-series Centennial.
The 1978 production, based on James Michener's novel, starred a huge cast including the likes of Michael Ansara, William Atherton, Raymond Burr, Barbara Carrera, Richard Chamberlain, Robert Conrad, Richard Crenna, Timothy Dalton, Chad Everett, Sharon Gless, Andy Griffith, Mark Harmon, Gregory Harrison, David Janssen, Alex Karras, Brian Keith, Sally Kellerman, A. Martinez, Donald Pleasence, Lynn Redgrave, Dennis Weaver, Robert Vaughn, Anthony Zerbe and Stephanie Zimbalist. Fans have certainly been waiting to add this title to their DVD collection, and now we have the scoop on when you can do just that!
Our very reliable industry sources tell us that Universal has leaked info that this 12-part miniseries will come to DVD at last on July 8th. There is a high level of confidence about that, although with this much lead time it is of course subject to change. The first and last episode in the series were each three hours long, with the others in between were two hours each, so this can probably be expected to come as a 7-disc set (assuming all discs are single-sided), with room for extras (if the studio decides to include any).
This is still a while off, but pencil it in on your calendar and put a few bucks aside for it. And stay tuned; we'll keep you posted with any further developments, just as soon as we find out more!
I already have it marked on my calendar. I really hope they do a good job on this, remastered sound and picture would be a dream come true.
The last post said it best - Centennial is a Masterpiece! February 12, 2000
Rosemary Thornton (Norfolk, VA)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
There is something captivating about this miniseries. I am not sure I can reduce it to words, but I've seen this mini-series several times and I still feel so caught up in the lives of these characters. I too, love Ellie and Levi and the scene where Ellie escapes from the orphanage. When her friend tells her "Ellie - you're running away for *all* of us" it brings tears to my eyes every time.The little details in this movie - like the letters Ellie sends back to her friend in Lancaster, seem right on target - historically. The movie has it all - history, romance, disappointment, discouragement, renewal, enduring hope, triumph and more. This is quality television and very educational. And it is a decent movie for the family.
Best television programming I have ever seen. July 31, 1999
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
I add my agreement to the other previous reviews. I think Centennial was the best programming ever on television, or in movies for that matter. I think it is a disgrace that this spectacle did not receive any awards. I think the closest it got was a nomination for Richard Chamberlain for the role of McKeag. As for the music, I also have conducted brief searches for the soundtrack, but have found nothing. I wouldn't rule it out, but I doubt if such a soundtrack exists. Too bad, because I would buy it in a flash. If anyone knows how to get it, please let us know. The casting for Centennial was remarkable. The characters spring to life because of the cast. Levi Zendt is my favorite character, but almost every actor/actress does a splendid job. The story line follows the book closely, and the changes that are made do not detract from the heart of the plots. In fact, I think the TV series is better than Michener's book in some ways. The only criticism I can think of the book and video series is that sometimes the story engages in some rather extreme historical revisionism. Yes, we now know that the Native Americans were exploited and the victims of genocide by insensitive and selfish whites. But at times, the sins of the whites and the purity of the Native Americans and Mexicans are exaggerated and oversimplified. The actual facts of history are more complex. For example, while some white Americans used distortions of Christianity to excuse the mistreatment of the American Indian (e.g., in Centennial, Frank Skimmerhorn), the mainstream of Christian thought would not justify the extermination of "savages" so whites could fulfill "Manifest Destiny." I also wish the closing episode was a little stronger, but oh well...Maybe I was just sad the epic was coming to an end. The adjectives other reviewers have chosen to laud Centennial are not exaggerations. It is enthralling, magnificent, and gripping for a lifetime. The potential would have existed to create a television series after the miniseries was completed (imagine a weekly program with the adventures of Levi and Lucinda Zendt, McKeag, the Pasquinels, Brumbaugh, and Mercy). Well, that will never happen now. I have read the book twice and seen the miniseries five times now, three times since ordering the videos a couple of years ago. I would highly recommend Centennial to anyone who loves American history and cares about it's greatest lesson--that we are responsible to be good stewards of the land and its resources in order to leave a legacy of care for future generations of human and animal life. The question is: will we be keepers or takers?
Why No DVD? October 22, 2006
TangoMike (Blackpool U.K.)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
What are the studio playing at?
Do they want pirate copies to be posted all around the planet?
This is educational as much as it is entertainment.
It is the best of the best of the grand Mini-Series and deserves maximum exposure.
Centennial is Faithful Adaptation of Michener's Book August 5, 2005
James Koenig (Minnesota)
17 out of 20 found this review helpful
James A. Michener's "Centennial" is arguably his best literary work. Released in 1976, at the bicentennial of our nation's history, "Centennial" was the novel blockbuster of the year. The screen adaptation became a bi-monthly serial that originally aired on NBC in the late 1970's. I can recall viewing it for the first time way back then and having to wait expectantly for the next show. The made-for-tv movie is a faithful adaptation of Michener's epic novel, and like the novel, is lengthy, but is a fascinating story in itself that is over 18 hours long! Each VHS cassette is a mini-novel in itself dealing with a specific time period in Michener's book. It makes for excellent family viewing and is appropriate for all member of the family, from kids to grandparents.
I recommend that the buyer purchase the VHS collection in "used" condition. The set is so large that most viewers will only watch it once and then shelve it. This is not to say that it is not a quality production; rather, it's length is such that it affords itself to one viewing only. Once you watch it, either save it for viewing years later, or sell it on E-Bay. In either case, this is an epic video production that you will remember for the rest of your life.
Jim "Konedog" Koenig
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