"Centennial" (1978) TV mini-series 1978-1979

Writer:

James Michener (novel)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

1 October 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Romance | Western

Plot:

The economic and cultural growth of Colorado spanning two centuries from the mid-1700s to the late-1970s.

Plot Keywords:

Colorado | Dance | Granddaughter | Partner | Native American

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Raymond Burr	...	Herman Bockweiss (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Barbara Carrera	...	Clay Basket (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Richard Chamberlain	...	Alexander McKeag (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Robert Conrad	...	Pasquinel (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Richard Crenna	...	Colonel Frank Skimmerhorn (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Chad Everett	...	Major Maxwell Mercy (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Alex Karras	...	Hans Brumbaugh (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Brian Keith	...	Sheriff Axel Dumire (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Sally Kellerman	...	Lise Bockweiss (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Donald Pleasence	...	Sam Purchas (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Lynn Redgrave	...	Charlotte Buckland Seccombe (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Dennis Weaver	...	R.J. Poteet (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Stephen McHattie	...	Jacques 'Jake' Pasquinel (11 episodes, 1978-1979)
William Atherton	...	Jim Lloyd (10 episodes, 1978-1979)
Timothy Dalton	...	Oliver Seccombe (10 episodes, 1978-1979)
Cliff De Young	...	John Skimmerhorn (10 episodes, 1978-1979)
Andy Griffith	...	Professor Lewis Venor (10 episodes, 1978-1979)
Gregory Harrison	...	Levi Zendt (10 episodes, 1978-1979)
David Janssen	...	Narrator / ... (10 episodes, 1978-1979)
Lois Nettleton	...	Maude Wendell (10 episodes, 1978-1979)
Cristina Raines	...	Lucinda McKeag Zendt (10 episodes, 1978-1979)
Robert Vaughn	...	Morgan Wendell (10 episodes, 1978-1979)
Anthony Zerbe	...	Mervin Wendell (10 episodes, 1978-1979)
Jesse Vint	...	Amos Calendar (6 episodes, 1978-1979)
Sharon Gless	...	Sidney Endermann (5 episodes, 1979)
Les Lannom	...	Bufe Coker (5 episodes, 1978-1979)
Kario Salem	...	Marcel 'Mike' Pasquinel (5 episodes, 1978-1979)
Michael LeClair	...	Young Jim Lloyd (5 episodes, 1978-1979)
Glynn Turman	...	Nate Person (5 episodes, 1978-1979)
Gloria McMillan	...	Mrs. Brumbaugh (5 episodes, 1978-1979)

Runtime:

1256 min (12 episodes) (excluding commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Alamo Village - Highway 674, Brackettville, Texas, USA

Company:

Universal TV

Trivia:

The role of Philip Wendell was originally played by Richard Kelton, who died of Carbon Monoxide poisoning after one day of filming.

Goofs:

Continuity: During "The Longhorns" episode, the cowboys are attacked by a small Comanche war party. Mule Canby shoots one of the warriors off of his horse and as the warrior falls, his hatchet flies out of his hand and lands several yards away. A moment later the warrior gets off of the ground with the hatchet still in his hand and delivers a blow to Canby's arm.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Walter Matthau (#4.7)" (1978)

THE SINGLE BEST SERIES EVER MADE

Centennial is the single best mini series ever made, if not the best movie ever made. Nothing else can nor will ever compare with it. AND before someone states Lonesome Dove is better... it isn't. The "Cowboys with John Wayne was better than that. Centennial has totally believable characters doing what they were born to do... they all work together to tell a rich full story. Rich character development and true character development on all fronts... If you have never seen this, watch it with your family [everyone can watch from 6 to 116) and remember it for what it truly is, a true tale of people doing their best when times were at their worst. If only there were movies still being made like this. All people want now are shoot em ups or sex movies, neither of which I like. This is a movie people can sit down and watch, and feel good afterwards.

The only other true treasure I can think of is the 10th Kingdom... silly? yes of course but it is really fun to watch and enjoy. I may be Chineese but I can appreciate art and but of these movies are that. The Lost Kingdom is another of my favs, but not that good... And don't talk about the 9th Kingdom, Jonnie D. really scares me with that one...

Maybe someone should start a poll to get this released on DVD. There are so many totally BAD movies/series out on DVD. And yet this is not available. WHY doesn't the studio that made this release it on DVD? All I have is the 12 volume set on VHS, and it's almost worn out!

Television came a long way when this was released, but has regressed backwards. Even my people were shown for their part in this truly American saga. But... If only...

Tia