Having read the book years ago, I readily agreed when a friend offered to loan me the entire box set of this wonderful mini-series. Much too long and ponderous for a movie, the mini-series venue is perfect for this rolling story.
Casting is primarily with TV actors, and is almost flawless. The only exceptions I noted were Sally Kellerman and, just maybe, Donald Pleasance. Kellerman seems too modern and odd looking for her role, and Pleasance doesn't quite seem the scroungy wagon master he's playing.
Other than that, these directors get the performances of lifetimes from their players. I was especially impressed with Robert Conrad as Pasquinel. After always thinking of Conrad as a lightweight, pleasant in light roles, here he shows a range and conviction I did not know he could muster. Chamberlain, a mini-series pro, shines as McKeag. Stephanie Zimbalist is a delight, as are Barbara Carrera and Christina Raines. Dalton is as properly dashing as Karras is properly lumbering. Crenna is as wildly evil as he can be. Almost all the players are great; a tribute to good direction.
I'd have given this series ten stars if not for the miscasting mentioned above and the matter of make-up. While the facial aging make-up is (barely) adequate, the character's bodies never age. All are just as trim and muscular in old age as in youth. Right up to his death McCeag is slim and wiry, as Everett is muscular and without paunch. The women's age is achieved by wardrobe merely covering their bodies, but the men look too young.
This is a great and intelligent series which thoughtfully treats all historical groups fairly. A must see!
Casting is primarily with TV actors, and is almost flawless. The only exceptions I noted were Sally Kellerman and, just maybe, Donald Pleasance. Kellerman seems too modern and odd looking for her role, and Pleasance doesn't quite seem the scroungy wagon master he's playing.
Other than that, these directors get the performances of lifetimes from their players. I was especially impressed with Robert Conrad as Pasquinel. After always thinking of Conrad as a lightweight, pleasant in light roles, here he shows a range and conviction I did not know he could muster. Chamberlain, a mini-series pro, shines as McKeag. Stephanie Zimbalist is a delight, as are Barbara Carrera and Christina Raines. Dalton is as properly dashing as Karras is properly lumbering. Crenna is as wildly evil as he can be. Almost all the players are great; a tribute to good direction.
I'd have given this series ten stars if not for the miscasting mentioned above and the matter of make-up. While the facial aging make-up is (barely) adequate, the character's bodies never age. All are just as trim and muscular in old age as in youth. Right up to his death McCeag is slim and wiry, as Everett is muscular and without paunch. The women's age is achieved by wardrobe merely covering their bodies, but the men look too young.
This is a great and intelligent series which thoughtfully treats all historical groups fairly. A must see!