Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I first saw this wonderful miniseries when it made its debut on NBC in the fall of 1976, and I recently bought and watched the video set of the series. After so many years, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the late Richard Jordan's portrayal of Joseph Armaugh. Armaugh, the penniless Irish immigrant boy at the start of the series(It begins in New York Harbor in 1857) ultimately became one of the nation's most wealthiest and powerful men, and ultimately paid a heavy personal price for his arrogance, and obsession with attempting to make his eldest son the first Irish Catholic President of the United States. As you watch the series, you can't but help note the similarities between Jordan's fictional Armaugh and the real-life Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. Jordan should have received an Emmy for his fine portrayal of the hot-tempered and driven Irishman who wanted control over everything and everybody. Patty Duke was excellent as Joseph Armaugh's wife, who turned to the bottle to seek solace from a husband who did not love her, and eventually went insane when tragedy intervened and took a Son who died in the Spanish American war of 1898. Blair Brown did a wonderful job playing Joseph's mistress, whose failure to inform her son Courtney of the identity of his real father, resulted in tragedy for the Daughter of Joseph Armaugh. And the late great Henry Fonda had a brief role as an honorable and distinguished Senator who felt he had no choice but to take his own life after Armaugh's dispicable intention to blackmail the good Senator unless he dropped his support of a Labor reform bill (which would have cut into the profits of Armaugh, and his powerful cronies). Before the Senator died, he left Armaugh a message in which he cursed him and his family. And before the end of this series(It ends in the late Spring or Summer of 1912,) the curse robbed Joseph Armaugh of just about his entire family(and his only close friend) until he is seen alone sitting in his huge mansion, pondering the heavy price he had to pay. Other actors in the mini series include the late Vic Morrow (Sergeant Chip Saunders of the 1960s WW2 series Combat)as Senator Tom Hennessey, Armangh's detested enemy and ironically his Father-in-Law(whom he eventually destroyed!) and Robert Vaughn as Joseph Armaugh's business colleague, Charles Desmond. Desmond was one of the individuals who helped Armaugh to attain even more power by sponsoring his participation in a group of powerful and wealthy men who ruthlessly use their power to control events to gain even more wealth and power, regardless of the cost. And you'll discover as I did when I originally watched the series that anyone who opposes these men will pay a heavy and bloody price. A superbly acted, and fast-pace look at one man's attainment of wealth and power, and the tragic price ultimately paid. I strongly suggest that anyone who is even remotely interested in mid 19th to early 20th Century America buy this series based on Taylor Caldwell's novel as it effectively weaves fictional characters like Armaugh, and the others into the tapestry of American life from 1857-1912. A superb job all-around! Enjoy
Click Here to see more reviews about: Captains and the Kings (1976)
NBC's First Mini-Series Event - Starring Richard Jordan in his Golden Globe Award-Winning RoleThe Rags to Riches Story of an American Dynasty - Based on the Best-Selling Novel by Taylor CaldwellWinner of Two Emmy Awards including Outstanding Lead Actress (Patty Duke) and CinematographyDetermined to create a better life for his family, Joseph Armagh (Richard Jordan), a penniless Irish immigrant, comes to America in the mid-19th century.Through struggle, heartache and ruthless perseverance, he becomes one of the richest and most powerful men in the country. But fortune has its price as Joseph's arrogance and obsession to have his son Rory (Perry King) elected president ultimately lead to his downfall. DVD EXTRA: Exclusive Interview with Blair Brown
Click here for more information about Captains and the Kings (1976)
0 comments:
Post a Comment