Once An Eagle is one of my all time favorite movies/mini-series. First rate cast, story,(great adaptation from the novel) and long enough to make sense. I would dearly love to see this mini again, I hope someone knows if it is available on VHS or DVD.
43 Reviews
Still remember it so well after 27 years
btraven7 August 2003
Shown in UK as part of best sellers series along with Captains and the Kings. Couldn't wait for each new part of the mini series still remember it after 27 years so it must have been good. Why doesn't someone show this series again?
Decent Military Soap Opera
wuxmup10 May 2006
Like other reviewers, I watched this miniseries way back when. I may have been older than most of the other reviewers at the time because I was less impressed. I do remember, though, that Sam Elliott was well chosen for the role of Damon; it's a shame that his performance isn't mentioned in either IMDb's Elliott biography or the quotation from Maltin.
As miniseries go, "Once an Eagle" is a decent one, especially for its time, with competent actors, exotic locales, and the nearly unique-for-TV depiction of the 1918 A.E.F. on color film, but if you're looking for more than soap opera characters in G.I. dress, you may want to try elsewhere. Sam is the upright, stoic hero and Courtney is the cowardly, sleazy villain (you can tell by their names before the story begins). The series tracks their often intersecting and conflicting Regular Army careers over half a century, right into the Vietnam War. During most of that period, and unlike the majority of his fellow field-grade officers, Sam knows how history is going to turn out. Sam always does what's right, Courtney only what advances his career. And advance it he does. Never mind that he's transparently loathsome.
The entire production has that TV "feel"--bright colors, blow-dried hair, familiar attitudes, overwrought confrontations, action carefully paced to lead up to the frequent commercial breaks. Today's viewers especially may be annoyed by such factors.
Of course, we've seen the characters a thousand times before, and viewers never get tired of 'em. That's entertainment. But Winds of War is arguably the better series. You'll learn more about history, and if you're like me, you'll find the characters to be a little more interesting. The same goes for the novels the shows are based on. Each to his own!
As miniseries go, "Once an Eagle" is a decent one, especially for its time, with competent actors, exotic locales, and the nearly unique-for-TV depiction of the 1918 A.E.F. on color film, but if you're looking for more than soap opera characters in G.I. dress, you may want to try elsewhere. Sam is the upright, stoic hero and Courtney is the cowardly, sleazy villain (you can tell by their names before the story begins). The series tracks their often intersecting and conflicting Regular Army careers over half a century, right into the Vietnam War. During most of that period, and unlike the majority of his fellow field-grade officers, Sam knows how history is going to turn out. Sam always does what's right, Courtney only what advances his career. And advance it he does. Never mind that he's transparently loathsome.
The entire production has that TV "feel"--bright colors, blow-dried hair, familiar attitudes, overwrought confrontations, action carefully paced to lead up to the frequent commercial breaks. Today's viewers especially may be annoyed by such factors.
Of course, we've seen the characters a thousand times before, and viewers never get tired of 'em. That's entertainment. But Winds of War is arguably the better series. You'll learn more about history, and if you're like me, you'll find the characters to be a little more interesting. The same goes for the novels the shows are based on. Each to his own!
one of the best miniseries of all time
jayandbutton226 February 2004
sam elliott in the best role of his entire career. awesome supporting cast including amy irving, glenn ford, ralph bellamy. terrific adaptation of anton myror's classic book required at west point. also required reading at most war colleges. almost every exising vote a perfect ten. why would one person throw the lowest score, a one, just to skew a masterpiece? ranks up there with roots as one of the greatest miniseries of all time.
AWESOME!!!
jeswartz30 August 2001
This miniseries is the mystery of the ages. It rightfully enjoys one of the highest ratings--if not the very highest reviewer rating on record--of any product on film, yet for some inexplicable reason nobody has managed to release it commercially for a quarter century. Does anyone know why? A new generation of viewers never have seen this masterpiece, and to compare it to inferior products as The Winds of War led by the ever sleepy Robert Mitchum is like making an analogy of Lawrence of Arabia to Ishtar.
The cast was incredibly deep for television and included early roles for such actors as Melanie Griffith and Amy Irving and late ones for the likes of Ralph Bellamy and Glenn Ford. And at center stage was the steady work of Sam Elliott, who seemed tailor made for his interpretation of Anton Myror's straight arrow soldier Sam Damon. Truly, it ranks with his John Buford character in Gettysburg as among his best roles.
If anyone knows any way to locate a dub of even a part of this epic please email me. I have been trying to use it for a course on leadership that I teach at a California university. This drama, for our purposes, ranks above such acclaimed films as Hoosiers, Twelve O'Clock High, and Wall Street for lessons to be learned. A must see for anybody who can--and the number seems to be near zero today. What a tragedy.
The cast was incredibly deep for television and included early roles for such actors as Melanie Griffith and Amy Irving and late ones for the likes of Ralph Bellamy and Glenn Ford. And at center stage was the steady work of Sam Elliott, who seemed tailor made for his interpretation of Anton Myror's straight arrow soldier Sam Damon. Truly, it ranks with his John Buford character in Gettysburg as among his best roles.
If anyone knows any way to locate a dub of even a part of this epic please email me. I have been trying to use it for a course on leadership that I teach at a California university. This drama, for our purposes, ranks above such acclaimed films as Hoosiers, Twelve O'Clock High, and Wall Street for lessons to be learned. A must see for anybody who can--and the number seems to be near zero today. What a tragedy.
Fabulous Series----One of the first Mini-Series released!
overthemoon-213 July 2004
This series was really great. The cast was wonderful and acting superb! I'm surprised it hasn't already been released! I agree with the comment made by the other fan that this mini-series is better than the "Winds of War." It is better!!
This was filmed back in the '70s when the T.V. mini-series first came about and is one of the reasons that mini-series are still popular. To the "powers that be"----please release this to DVD so that those of us who have seen this series can be entertained again. Those who have yet to see it have a nice surprise awaiting them!! Thanks!
This was filmed back in the '70s when the T.V. mini-series first came about and is one of the reasons that mini-series are still popular. To the "powers that be"----please release this to DVD so that those of us who have seen this series can be entertained again. Those who have yet to see it have a nice surprise awaiting them!! Thanks!
Why has this not been released?
seghers10 August 2005
This is a stunning movie. I saw it when I was very young, with my Father. Sam Damon represented to me what it meant to be a man. Sam Elliot's performance is understated and nuanced, and is remarkable for its restraint... what he Doesn't say is shown in his eyes, and smoking under the surface. He is a man of few words but very powerful obligations which people can either understand or not, he doesn't care. He is not driven by what others think, but by what he knows is right.
I spoke to a gentleman a few years back who said there were political reasons why this series would "never" be released. Having seen it again recently, I think I understand why it won't be released at least for a few years. I would NOT call the movie anti-war, but I would call it anti-stupidity. I would say it stands for war as a last resort, showing the loss and reality of war, and how even when a cause is just, stupid men are put in positions of authority sometimes, and lo and behold, give stupid orders for good men to follow and be killed. Regardless of, and sometimes ignorant of, the big picture and rationale behind the war.
Good men understand their cause, and fight for that cause together. Through a common purpose they find strength and camaraderie. Weak men use the war to justify their own petty purposes, regardless of their attained rank, and sometimes this puts their men in direct contradiction to the more noble and publicy marketed reasons for the conflict. Good men must sometimes follow weak men and stupid orders, if they are to be considered good soldiers. That's a tough position to be in... and it kind of flies in the face of what the military pushes... you must follow orders or you risk your life, and the lives of everybody in your company. Where would the military be if people were allowed to question orders, or question the character and motivations of the people giving those orders? Yet, where would the world be if we all blindly followed leadership despite what we knew was right or wrong?
This contradiction is what this miniseries meant to me, then, as a 12 year old, and again to me today as I write this. From what I understand, the rights to this are still owned by a major network who is being told not to release it. I don't know if that is true or not... it might be just a fancy and/or self-serving lie. But the more I think about it, the more I realize it just might be true. If it is true, it's a damn shame. If it's not true, then, I tell you one thing:
It's pretty bizarre that given the quality of the mini-series, and the star power of some fine actors in their prime, that this has never been released, isn't it?
I spoke to a gentleman a few years back who said there were political reasons why this series would "never" be released. Having seen it again recently, I think I understand why it won't be released at least for a few years. I would NOT call the movie anti-war, but I would call it anti-stupidity. I would say it stands for war as a last resort, showing the loss and reality of war, and how even when a cause is just, stupid men are put in positions of authority sometimes, and lo and behold, give stupid orders for good men to follow and be killed. Regardless of, and sometimes ignorant of, the big picture and rationale behind the war.
Good men understand their cause, and fight for that cause together. Through a common purpose they find strength and camaraderie. Weak men use the war to justify their own petty purposes, regardless of their attained rank, and sometimes this puts their men in direct contradiction to the more noble and publicy marketed reasons for the conflict. Good men must sometimes follow weak men and stupid orders, if they are to be considered good soldiers. That's a tough position to be in... and it kind of flies in the face of what the military pushes... you must follow orders or you risk your life, and the lives of everybody in your company. Where would the military be if people were allowed to question orders, or question the character and motivations of the people giving those orders? Yet, where would the world be if we all blindly followed leadership despite what we knew was right or wrong?
This contradiction is what this miniseries meant to me, then, as a 12 year old, and again to me today as I write this. From what I understand, the rights to this are still owned by a major network who is being told not to release it. I don't know if that is true or not... it might be just a fancy and/or self-serving lie. But the more I think about it, the more I realize it just might be true. If it is true, it's a damn shame. If it's not true, then, I tell you one thing:
It's pretty bizarre that given the quality of the mini-series, and the star power of some fine actors in their prime, that this has never been released, isn't it?
The first mini-series I can remember seeing
charlesemery6 May 2004
Quite possibly my favorite movie/mini-series. I can remember watching it in the dorm room at the University of Michigan my Freshman year. Later, after I had enlisted in the Army and been accepted to West Point, I purchased the book and read it several times. Later the book became required reading at the Military Academy (though I'm not sure to what effect). The Point wanted its cadets to become more like the character of Sam Damon and less like Cortney Masengale. I do wish that ABC (or NBC, I can't remember the network) would bring the series back or offer it in a DVD set for those of us who are rabid fans. The entire series was well filmed, well acted, and the interpretation of the novel was very accurate. It was sort of a shame that they couldn't finish the mini-series the same way the book ended, but that would have taken another couple of weeks and Vietnam was still a raw nerve.
1976 Soap Opera Warnings!
chrissso29 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
1976 Called ... and it wants this overly long soap opera miniseries back!!!
No, we are not talking Winds Of War or War & Remembrance which were also pretty soapy (Rhonda almost sunk the franchise) they at least had ample historical context. Nor are we talking about Holocaust ... the best of all but this one right here.
Now at writing this has an 8.1 rating on IMDb. This IMHO reflects the nostalgic vote because having just seen the series for the first time I can tell you it's not that good. No I did not see this when I was 15 with my parents in the living room nor did I read the book nor was I part of the greatest generation just a person accessing history through film.
Now there are good things to say, especially Sam Waterson & Cliff Potts in the leads more so the rest of the cast was quite solid (it is fun to have one of those "I remember her" moments like with Juliet Mills). And I do like the theme of disgusting politics and self-promotion at the expense of others in war time.
My biggest problem remains the sappy soap which was needed to attract big audiences over the course of many nights to offset the great expense of the production. It just made this show way too long.
I guess it all comes down to what you like a little soap with your history or a little history with you soap? I go prior all the time history is juicy enough.
6 of 10
No, we are not talking Winds Of War or War & Remembrance which were also pretty soapy (Rhonda almost sunk the franchise) they at least had ample historical context. Nor are we talking about Holocaust ... the best of all but this one right here.
Now at writing this has an 8.1 rating on IMDb. This IMHO reflects the nostalgic vote because having just seen the series for the first time I can tell you it's not that good. No I did not see this when I was 15 with my parents in the living room nor did I read the book nor was I part of the greatest generation just a person accessing history through film.
Now there are good things to say, especially Sam Waterson & Cliff Potts in the leads more so the rest of the cast was quite solid (it is fun to have one of those "I remember her" moments like with Juliet Mills). And I do like the theme of disgusting politics and self-promotion at the expense of others in war time.
My biggest problem remains the sappy soap which was needed to attract big audiences over the course of many nights to offset the great expense of the production. It just made this show way too long.
I guess it all comes down to what you like a little soap with your history or a little history with you soap? I go prior all the time history is juicy enough.
6 of 10
Superb
hipshot496 May 2004
I note that the book this was based on was republished a couple of years back to "rave" reviews. I reread it and it was as good as I remembered it.
The series, which, due to the type of work I was doing at the time, I only saw parts of, was also marvelous. Of course, I have to admit, I've seen very few movies with Sam Elliot that I didn't like.
A synopsis of the plot traces the lives of two Army officers; one (Elliot) an enlisted Medal of Honor winner in World War I who was given a battlefield commission and the other a rich West Point graduate staff officer who never heard a shot fired in anger; as their careers and lives moved forward through World War II and beyond.
I see that practically every other miserable excuse for a mini-series has been released on video or DVD, I would say it is long past time that this quality piece of work received its due.
The series, which, due to the type of work I was doing at the time, I only saw parts of, was also marvelous. Of course, I have to admit, I've seen very few movies with Sam Elliot that I didn't like.
A synopsis of the plot traces the lives of two Army officers; one (Elliot) an enlisted Medal of Honor winner in World War I who was given a battlefield commission and the other a rich West Point graduate staff officer who never heard a shot fired in anger; as their careers and lives moved forward through World War II and beyond.
I see that practically every other miserable excuse for a mini-series has been released on video or DVD, I would say it is long past time that this quality piece of work received its due.
The Good And The Bad And The Mismatched.
rmax30482322 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
An entertaining story basically of two men, Sam Elliott as Sam Damon, and Cliff Potts as Courtenay Massengale, both career officers in the United States Army, one of them true to his principles, the other given to following self interest. One is good; one is bad. Pick the hero and the villain from the following two choices: (
1) Sam Damon. (2) Courtenay Massengale.
Not much of a brain twister. "Sam", a good old fashioned American name, as in "Uncle Sam." "Damon", two short forceful syllables.
"Courtenay," which sounds like the name of some interior decorator, and "Massengale," which is automatically associated by anyone of a certain age with a harmful feminine douche.
The story begins in World War I, with Elliott following orders within the limits of common sense and his expertise. Massengale and some other no-goodniks simply follow orders, regardless of consequences, and moreover they take credit for the achievements of others.
Elliott falls in love with and marries a headstrong individualist and there follows the usual conflict between the demands of a military career and a wife's not having to worry whether her man will come home to her in a body bag, not to mention the uncomfortable posts in the cultural backwaters. That Darleen Carr happens to be the daughter of a general, Glenn Ford, is a coincidence. Elliott's career stagnates.
Potts, on the other hand, is quick to marry a senator's daughter, Amy Irving. Alas, Potts, for all his energy and thumos, turns out to be impotent. This is a problem for Irving, who turns to drink and to other men. However, her husband's career slogs ahead.
By World War II, both men are generals, though Potts outranks Elliott. Potts cheats and lies profusely and it costs Elliott many of the men under his command, so he finally sees to it that an investigation is launched into Potts' decisions. The final scene has Elliott limping determinedly away while Potts stands in the background, having an apoplectic fit and bellowing threats like, "I'll kill your career!" We all know Potts' game is up, that Elliott will never quit.
It's a good example of an early miniseries like "Winds of War" and follows the dictates of the form. Performors who haven't had roles for years come and go quickly, like the admirable Phyllis Thaxter and Ralph Bellamy. The narrative divides itself into half domestic drama and half the designated subject.
The philosopher Immanuel Kant saw two kinds of moral acts: categorical imperatives that were "right." One way of determining whether an act was right was to ask, "What if everyone did this?" Then there were hypothetical imperatives, which were followed if the answer to the question, "What's in it for me?", was "Plenty."
Elliott is an imperfect example of the good guy because he has human failings that manifest themselves in a fling overseas with an English nurse, Juliet Mills. But Potts follows hypothetical imperatives almost exclusively. He cares nothing about the consequences of his acts except whatever advantages they bring him.
I liked Anton Myrer's novel, "The Great War," which I read a long time ago. The ease with which he was able to paint a scene with a few well-chosen words left me in awe. I'd like to think that his novel, "Once an Eagle," on which this miniseries is based, is something more than a simple contrast between two men -- one good and one bad. That's comic book stuff.
1) Sam Damon. (2) Courtenay Massengale.
Not much of a brain twister. "Sam", a good old fashioned American name, as in "Uncle Sam." "Damon", two short forceful syllables.
"Courtenay," which sounds like the name of some interior decorator, and "Massengale," which is automatically associated by anyone of a certain age with a harmful feminine douche.
The story begins in World War I, with Elliott following orders within the limits of common sense and his expertise. Massengale and some other no-goodniks simply follow orders, regardless of consequences, and moreover they take credit for the achievements of others.
Elliott falls in love with and marries a headstrong individualist and there follows the usual conflict between the demands of a military career and a wife's not having to worry whether her man will come home to her in a body bag, not to mention the uncomfortable posts in the cultural backwaters. That Darleen Carr happens to be the daughter of a general, Glenn Ford, is a coincidence. Elliott's career stagnates.
Potts, on the other hand, is quick to marry a senator's daughter, Amy Irving. Alas, Potts, for all his energy and thumos, turns out to be impotent. This is a problem for Irving, who turns to drink and to other men. However, her husband's career slogs ahead.
By World War II, both men are generals, though Potts outranks Elliott. Potts cheats and lies profusely and it costs Elliott many of the men under his command, so he finally sees to it that an investigation is launched into Potts' decisions. The final scene has Elliott limping determinedly away while Potts stands in the background, having an apoplectic fit and bellowing threats like, "I'll kill your career!" We all know Potts' game is up, that Elliott will never quit.
It's a good example of an early miniseries like "Winds of War" and follows the dictates of the form. Performors who haven't had roles for years come and go quickly, like the admirable Phyllis Thaxter and Ralph Bellamy. The narrative divides itself into half domestic drama and half the designated subject.
The philosopher Immanuel Kant saw two kinds of moral acts: categorical imperatives that were "right." One way of determining whether an act was right was to ask, "What if everyone did this?" Then there were hypothetical imperatives, which were followed if the answer to the question, "What's in it for me?", was "Plenty."
Elliott is an imperfect example of the good guy because he has human failings that manifest themselves in a fling overseas with an English nurse, Juliet Mills. But Potts follows hypothetical imperatives almost exclusively. He cares nothing about the consequences of his acts except whatever advantages they bring him.
I liked Anton Myrer's novel, "The Great War," which I read a long time ago. The ease with which he was able to paint a scene with a few well-chosen words left me in awe. I'd like to think that his novel, "Once an Eagle," on which this miniseries is based, is something more than a simple contrast between two men -- one good and one bad. That's comic book stuff.
Awesome
sites4u11 November 2003
-The Horatio Hornblower of War (mini-series) Movies. Up thru the ranks. Gosh, it's been so long ago it's hard to remember many details but I loved it then (a few years after returning from Viet Nam) and have tried to find a way to purchase it since the invention of VCR's.
I sure wish they would re-release it. Hello to all the War Movie buffs. If there are any war movies I don't own it's because they are not for sale!
I sure wish they would re-release it. Hello to all the War Movie buffs. If there are any war movies I don't own it's because they are not for sale!
Best If you Have NOT Read The Book
stylus2219 July 2018
As mid-70s military oriented mini series' go this one is okay, but it does not do the book justice. The book, by Anton Myrer, is a sweeping epic that follows Sam Damon from his late high school years where, failing to get an appointment to West Point, he enlists in the peacetime Army, much to the chagrin of his uncle whose tales of the Spanish American war had inspired him to seek a military career; "Boy, you don't join the Army in peacetime!".
The book ends at the beginning of the Vietnam era, before the USA has become involved in it, but Courtney Massengale is more than eager for the conflict to escalate and Sam Damon, well, I don't want to drop any spoilers about the book (read it!)
If I'm not mistaken, the book is still required reading at West Point; if you can find a copy I urge you to read it. I forst encountered it as Reader's Digest condensed book in the late 60s-early 70s and loved it so much that the first time I saw a copy for sale I bought it.
For what it what it is, the mini series is okay, as okay as any 1976 mini series can be. The Banzia attack was a bit disappointing, especially the Japanese jibber-jabber and for the most part it seems as if it was made on are a very tight budget. The casting was great; lots of BIG names and names that would be big in the future (Melanie Griffith). The opening sequences were a little disorienting, mostly from the inclusion of Indy-style race cars that the Unsers would have been driving as well as 70s-80s model Formula One cars. What's up with that? The formatting of the discs was a rather "unusual" but, it was likely one of the first mini series' of its type to be put on a DVD.
Personally I would recommend The Winds of War and War and Remembrance over Once An Eagle.
I enjoyed the mini series for what it was. but the ending with Sam walking away from a screeching Massengale was pretty lame, especially if you know that the story still has another 20-years to go
Incredibly bad.
ya-hall6 October 2012
This series or movie stands right up there with Transylvania 6 5000 as a real stinker. Direction, screen play and sets have to be the worst I have seen in 65 years of watching movies. The story line wanders with no believability between scenes or chapters. The actors alternate between warm and fuzzy feeling too unhappy hateful with little rime or reason. The battle scenes where made with no eye to realism in anyway as presented, WW1 trench warfare scenes are very difficult to duplicate and this program represents the worst efforts ever made.
Sam Elliot is a one dimensional actor who excels as the angry cowboy and to play the part of a warm lover is way over his ability. Cliff Potts certainly played the evil, selfish, woman abusing scoundrel to the hilt, to bad the story line was so bad. Glenn Ford was Glenn Ford as usual. Clu Gulager was his usual uninspiring method acting self which would have been OK for one or two scenes but even then he has to be taken with a grain or two of salt.
Sam Elliot is a one dimensional actor who excels as the angry cowboy and to play the part of a warm lover is way over his ability. Cliff Potts certainly played the evil, selfish, woman abusing scoundrel to the hilt, to bad the story line was so bad. Glenn Ford was Glenn Ford as usual. Clu Gulager was his usual uninspiring method acting self which would have been OK for one or two scenes but even then he has to be taken with a grain or two of salt.
A stunning movie of choices and consequences.
brwhite4 July 2000
Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf reviewed the book, Once an Eagle, on the NBC Today Show (7/4/00), and I had to research this film after not having seen it for over twenty years. It left that powerful an impression, a story of two career officers spanning almost four decades, and how their choices affected their careers and the lives of those around them. Can't say anymore other than Sam Elliot's character left a lasting impression concerning life choices, and how those principles are still so important in our lives today...
Anyway, I have been unable to find a copy of the mini-series, so if anyone out there can provide any advice on how to obtain a copy, please e-mail me. It would be great to see it again sometime. Thanks...
Anyway, I have been unable to find a copy of the mini-series, so if anyone out there can provide any advice on how to obtain a copy, please e-mail me. It would be great to see it again sometime. Thanks...
Once An Eagle
bdsd-112 May 2006
I saw the TV mini-series and read the book several years later. The mini-series does an excellent job of following the book. Both are excellent. As far as purchasing this TV mini-series on DVD or Tape goes, Universal Pictures (NBC Now) owns it and they apparently do not have any plans to re-release it. Which is too bad because my wife and I are both big fans of Sam Elliot and this would be a must-buy for our DVD collection. Oh well......
One of the things that the book and TV mini-series covers in great detail is the every day life of a career military person and what it actually entails to have to deal with some of the idiots that make life miserable for honest hard working military people. Also during the historical period covered in this mini-series the U.S. Military was in a downward spiral right after WWI. So no funds were available to maintain the military facilities or provide opportunities for advancement in rank or cost of living raises like we have days.
So for a person to try and make a career out the military, they had really had to be committed to it.
One of the things that the book and TV mini-series covers in great detail is the every day life of a career military person and what it actually entails to have to deal with some of the idiots that make life miserable for honest hard working military people. Also during the historical period covered in this mini-series the U.S. Military was in a downward spiral right after WWI. So no funds were available to maintain the military facilities or provide opportunities for advancement in rank or cost of living raises like we have days.
So for a person to try and make a career out the military, they had really had to be committed to it.
Outstanding mini-series
perryman10 February 2001
This was an outstanding mini-series with a great cast. To the best of my knowledge, it's never been aired again. Sam Elliot's star was on the rise and this was his best work to date. I wish that it were available or would be reshown. I've waited 25 years, it's time.
Second to Lonesome Dove, This is my favorite MiniSeries
rayweb3416 December 2003
I first saw this while stationed in the Philippines in 1977, but missed a couple of episodes. In about 1981, I was able to see it again and made a VCR copy (Alas, commercials included). I have just about worn it out over the years. In my opinion, only one miniseries is better, that being "Lonesome Dove". I wish that someone would reshow it or somebody would make a DVD.
The best mini-series ever
kitene3 February 2000
I can only agree. This is the best mini-series ever made. I saw it in 1976 from Swedish Television. I have not seen it since then, but I remember it very well. Unfortunately it was shown just before I got a video recorder. If you get a chance to see it, don't miss it.
"Great Series"
dbjewett13 December 2000
An excellent mini series. Wish it was available on VHS or DVD, would love to own a copy. Maybe we will get lucky and they will air it again one day so we can make a copy of it. One of Sam Elliott's best pictures ever. Rates up the next to the Sackett's which is another personal favorite.
A Tale of two soldiers
bkoganbing4 June 2013
Sam Elliot and Cliff Potts give a pair of outstanding performances in this TV mini-series Once An Eagle. Well at least one of them is an eagle, the other is a turkey in eagle feathers.
The story begins during World War I when enlisted man Sam Elliot receives a battlefield commission and decides to stay in the army as a career. During the war he and West Point graduate Cliff Potts keep running up against each other.
Ever since West Point was founded in the Jefferson administration those who graduated from that school always had a leg up in terms of career advancement over even other military schools let alone against people like Elliot who rose from the ranks. But if you're a guy who saw no combat in World War I and was strictly a staff officer your best option is intra-service politics at which Potts is a master. He rises ahead of Elliot in the Twenties and Thirties and has a couple of grades above him while Elliot trained troops to do the fighting.
If I was in the military I sure would like to have someone like Sam Elliot leading me. This was probably one of his best roles in his long career. He's not without flaws, but he's the one I would like to share a foxhole with if I was so unfortunate ever to have to be in one.
Potts is his polar opposite he's a scheming creep who cares nothing, but for his own advancement. Fortunately West Point doesn't turn out people like him as a rule. He even married the daughter of a US Senator to advance his career. And Amy Irving as his wife is terrific as a tragically unhappy woman. Their marriage has issues.
Elliot in turn married the daughter of his commander Glenn Ford played by Darleen Carr who turns in a fine performance of her own. She's not an army brat by any means, in fact Elliot's dedication to his career separates the two of them from each other and their son Andrew Stevens.
This is a fine mini-series showing a realistic portrayal of the professional army and the men who serve and the women who wait with anxiety and trepidation. As good as the principal players are, the one who really got to me in this series was Kario Salem who played a young man of racially mixed heritage who can't find peace anywhere he goes. He will break your heart I guarantee.
A really fine mini-series with some stand out acting.
The story begins during World War I when enlisted man Sam Elliot receives a battlefield commission and decides to stay in the army as a career. During the war he and West Point graduate Cliff Potts keep running up against each other.
Ever since West Point was founded in the Jefferson administration those who graduated from that school always had a leg up in terms of career advancement over even other military schools let alone against people like Elliot who rose from the ranks. But if you're a guy who saw no combat in World War I and was strictly a staff officer your best option is intra-service politics at which Potts is a master. He rises ahead of Elliot in the Twenties and Thirties and has a couple of grades above him while Elliot trained troops to do the fighting.
If I was in the military I sure would like to have someone like Sam Elliot leading me. This was probably one of his best roles in his long career. He's not without flaws, but he's the one I would like to share a foxhole with if I was so unfortunate ever to have to be in one.
Potts is his polar opposite he's a scheming creep who cares nothing, but for his own advancement. Fortunately West Point doesn't turn out people like him as a rule. He even married the daughter of a US Senator to advance his career. And Amy Irving as his wife is terrific as a tragically unhappy woman. Their marriage has issues.
Elliot in turn married the daughter of his commander Glenn Ford played by Darleen Carr who turns in a fine performance of her own. She's not an army brat by any means, in fact Elliot's dedication to his career separates the two of them from each other and their son Andrew Stevens.
This is a fine mini-series showing a realistic portrayal of the professional army and the men who serve and the women who wait with anxiety and trepidation. As good as the principal players are, the one who really got to me in this series was Kario Salem who played a young man of racially mixed heritage who can't find peace anywhere he goes. He will break your heart I guarantee.
A really fine mini-series with some stand out acting.
Great Cast - Butchered the Book
jianakn27 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Once an Eagle is a fantastic novel... I have owned a copy since 1976 and read it several times. This mini-series is very poor by comparison.
This should have been 20 episodes to get the story right. There are lots of scenes in the mini series that never happened in the book, or happened far differently, such as when Damon and Massingale first met.
In the book, Massingale and his driver are lost. Sam's troops have just come out of a major battle after being held in close reserve, and under shell fire. They are all exhausted, filthy relaxing in the ruins of a building that has a well. Sam is there in the background.
Massingale approaches some of Sam's men and does not get shown the proper respect for an officer. He snaps and orders them to attention before starting to give them a dressing down about showing proper military discipline.
Sam is watching Massingale and evaluating what type of man he is. Then he intervenes and countermand's Massingale's orders.... telling his men to back to what they were doing.
Massingale is shocked by the state of Sam's uniform and the fact Sam is not wearing his insignia. He starts to lecture Sam about proper military discipline. Sam starts to get angry and calmly tells Massingale to get back in his disgusting Packard and leave.
The offended Massingale intends to report Sam's conduct and gets out a notebook to take down Sam's name and service number. Massingale does an immediate back flip once he learns who Sam is because at the time, Sam in one of the most decorated soldiers in the American forces after winning the highest award for bravery.
Massingale turns on the charm, claims responsibility for their confrontation, and makes light of being the monster from staff who has to drive around in a disgusting Packard being the bearer of bad news. Then he exits.
During the river crossing attack, Sam is hit by malaria and keeps leading the assault on the opposite bank. There is later a critical battle where Sam improvises an antitank gun to come to Ben's aid when Japanese tanks appear.
The deep bond between Sam and Ben is not really shown that well in the mini series. The relationship between Sam and Tommy is somewhat different..... she has an affair around the same time he does.
The final scene in the TV show is nothing like what happens in the book.
This mini series had such a great cast and could have been so much more if it had not been done on the cheap, stayed true to the book, and there were more episodes like the other war- rie mini series that were made around the same time.
It will be difficult to do a remake...... Sam Elliot and that calm deep drawl of his will be extremely difficult to recast.
My advice to people is take the time to read the novel...... it is one of the most captivating books I have read..... which is why I have owned a copy of it for nearly 50 years.
This should have been 20 episodes to get the story right. There are lots of scenes in the mini series that never happened in the book, or happened far differently, such as when Damon and Massingale first met.
In the book, Massingale and his driver are lost. Sam's troops have just come out of a major battle after being held in close reserve, and under shell fire. They are all exhausted, filthy relaxing in the ruins of a building that has a well. Sam is there in the background.
Massingale approaches some of Sam's men and does not get shown the proper respect for an officer. He snaps and orders them to attention before starting to give them a dressing down about showing proper military discipline.
Sam is watching Massingale and evaluating what type of man he is. Then he intervenes and countermand's Massingale's orders.... telling his men to back to what they were doing.
Massingale is shocked by the state of Sam's uniform and the fact Sam is not wearing his insignia. He starts to lecture Sam about proper military discipline. Sam starts to get angry and calmly tells Massingale to get back in his disgusting Packard and leave.
The offended Massingale intends to report Sam's conduct and gets out a notebook to take down Sam's name and service number. Massingale does an immediate back flip once he learns who Sam is because at the time, Sam in one of the most decorated soldiers in the American forces after winning the highest award for bravery.
Massingale turns on the charm, claims responsibility for their confrontation, and makes light of being the monster from staff who has to drive around in a disgusting Packard being the bearer of bad news. Then he exits.
During the river crossing attack, Sam is hit by malaria and keeps leading the assault on the opposite bank. There is later a critical battle where Sam improvises an antitank gun to come to Ben's aid when Japanese tanks appear.
The deep bond between Sam and Ben is not really shown that well in the mini series. The relationship between Sam and Tommy is somewhat different..... she has an affair around the same time he does.
The final scene in the TV show is nothing like what happens in the book.
This mini series had such a great cast and could have been so much more if it had not been done on the cheap, stayed true to the book, and there were more episodes like the other war- rie mini series that were made around the same time.
It will be difficult to do a remake...... Sam Elliot and that calm deep drawl of his will be extremely difficult to recast.
My advice to people is take the time to read the novel...... it is one of the most captivating books I have read..... which is why I have owned a copy of it for nearly 50 years.
Old Movies are to Die For
sumner551 December 2002
I have for several years kicked me for not having a VCR in the late 1970's when I was stationed at the Military Academy and the Mini-series "Once An Eagle" first was on TV. The comments about the story and the actors who played the parts were pretty much true to life. The Massengales of the world said the book and now the TV series are not correct, that the director used his actors to show his political views. The Sam Damon's, said that the mini-series was true to life and True Soldiers really did take care of their men. I have recently been able to view the series again , and it reminds me of the men I served with and the true soldiers our country was very fortunate to have. The book is now being used as a text at the U S Army War College and at West Point. The U S Army College has a new version out with forwards from active and retired officers. Sam Damon as written in the book and to some extent in the TV series should be a guide to young and old officers a like. Take care of your soldiers and they will take care of you.
I agree with Airborne Mike, when he said " I used to be troubled by the movie and book having different endings, not anymore. They are best viewed as ALTERNATIVE ENDINGS, a positive or a negative one. The people who adapted the best-selling book to TV did an excellent job of understanding the book's true meaning---which is to fight evil when you see it immediately!---regardless of the cost".
To those of you that have been lucky enough to record the series and still have a copy, I salute you. You have a piece of history the movie world has not seen fit to rebroadcast or release on VHS/DVD for the rest of us. I rank it up there with Sam Elliott's best work. Maybe he or his agent (The William Morris Agency) will be able to get Universal to re-release it to the Sam Elliott and good film fans every where.
Smiling Jack (U S Army Retired)
I agree with Airborne Mike, when he said " I used to be troubled by the movie and book having different endings, not anymore. They are best viewed as ALTERNATIVE ENDINGS, a positive or a negative one. The people who adapted the best-selling book to TV did an excellent job of understanding the book's true meaning---which is to fight evil when you see it immediately!---regardless of the cost".
To those of you that have been lucky enough to record the series and still have a copy, I salute you. You have a piece of history the movie world has not seen fit to rebroadcast or release on VHS/DVD for the rest of us. I rank it up there with Sam Elliott's best work. Maybe he or his agent (The William Morris Agency) will be able to get Universal to re-release it to the Sam Elliott and good film fans every where.
Smiling Jack (U S Army Retired)
Much better than Winds Of War
IslandMadMacs7 February 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I hope this review finds a home amongst the long suffering hardcore fans who must've been in agony (30+ years!) for the official release. But it's here and I hope you guys enjoy the well-deserved DVD production.
First off, I'm a huge fan of the TV mini-series format that ran from the 70's thru the late 80's, and I was stunned that I had never heard of this production before. Not once ever. As I think about it, I'm still amazed that this slipped past for so long.
I read all 35 reviews that were posted here since 1998 (IMDB reviews) - and I agree with all of you wholeheartedly - this was a fantastic and truly wonderful production.
And I also agree it was a dastardly crime that it took this long for 'Once An Eagle' to be given back to the viewing public.
Okay, onto the review. (some spoilers - so be warned)
As new fan of the series, I was surprised at how good the story that was told. Typically, as others have mentioned, the WWII drama is over the top, hyper-melodramatic and ultimately "Hollywood-ized" - presenting a false, and ultimately, empty impression of the lives of soldiers, both officers and enlisted; especially those soldiers who did their service in between WWI and WWII. Can you imagine being a 2LT for 17 years?!?
You couldn't have better defined the transition between a peacetime Army and wartime Army. The crafty officers who ably played the political game often meant that battle troops would be left behind in the promotions department; creating the initial paper-pusher trained service that combat hardened Imperial Japanese forces could take advantage of.
Love that scene when John Fujioka, despite portraying an army officer who looks suspiciously like Hideki Tojo, clearly represented the real-life naval attaché to Washington D.C. in that period - a certain Captain Isoroku Yamamoto who often deftly deflected concerns that Imperial Japan would ever be a threat to the United States. That clever warrior. He was already on a war footing back in '28, thirteen years before Pearl.
And very interestingly, I enjoyed how the production dealt with Court's homosexuality without having to confront it, which would have skewed the storyline in a pathetic attempt to validate some kind of political point, either pro or con. Very well done. Subtlety like this is a lost art in today's world of screaming-in-your-face lack of diplomatic skills. I realize that some may disagree with me here. But that's my impression given the collective scenes of the man on a personal level; what little there was to reveal - was very revealing indeed.
I've read the comparisons between this and 'Winds Of War'. Until I had seen 'Eagle' - I would've been hard pressed to say that anything was better for the period. And because of the budget, obviously the battle scenes will always favor Winds. But the true character and temperament of the war, the men and women who were involved - you have to watch Once An Eagle.
My only serious complaint was the ending. It felt like it was shortened by one episode, with many unanswered and unresolved questions. For example:
Even a counting of... skulls... would mean little if the B-29 stuck bottom first - the ball turret gunner's body would have essentially disintegrated making an accurate accounting improbable. Or even worse - had the B29 been unable to drop its payload before impact - what would the corps troops think? The bodies, what little remained, would be completely destroyed thereby making a count of the tags meaningless if not impossible. I can't see how anyone could make an honest appraisal in those situations. Questions like these haunted families for years afterwards, so I honestly see it as possible.
Overall - fantastic and well worth the 7 hours spent.
I always and thoroughly enjoy stumbling onto a hidden unexpected gem. :-)
First off, I'm a huge fan of the TV mini-series format that ran from the 70's thru the late 80's, and I was stunned that I had never heard of this production before. Not once ever. As I think about it, I'm still amazed that this slipped past for so long.
I read all 35 reviews that were posted here since 1998 (IMDB reviews) - and I agree with all of you wholeheartedly - this was a fantastic and truly wonderful production.
And I also agree it was a dastardly crime that it took this long for 'Once An Eagle' to be given back to the viewing public.
Okay, onto the review. (some spoilers - so be warned)
As new fan of the series, I was surprised at how good the story that was told. Typically, as others have mentioned, the WWII drama is over the top, hyper-melodramatic and ultimately "Hollywood-ized" - presenting a false, and ultimately, empty impression of the lives of soldiers, both officers and enlisted; especially those soldiers who did their service in between WWI and WWII. Can you imagine being a 2LT for 17 years?!?
You couldn't have better defined the transition between a peacetime Army and wartime Army. The crafty officers who ably played the political game often meant that battle troops would be left behind in the promotions department; creating the initial paper-pusher trained service that combat hardened Imperial Japanese forces could take advantage of.
Love that scene when John Fujioka, despite portraying an army officer who looks suspiciously like Hideki Tojo, clearly represented the real-life naval attaché to Washington D.C. in that period - a certain Captain Isoroku Yamamoto who often deftly deflected concerns that Imperial Japan would ever be a threat to the United States. That clever warrior. He was already on a war footing back in '28, thirteen years before Pearl.
And very interestingly, I enjoyed how the production dealt with Court's homosexuality without having to confront it, which would have skewed the storyline in a pathetic attempt to validate some kind of political point, either pro or con. Very well done. Subtlety like this is a lost art in today's world of screaming-in-your-face lack of diplomatic skills. I realize that some may disagree with me here. But that's my impression given the collective scenes of the man on a personal level; what little there was to reveal - was very revealing indeed.
I've read the comparisons between this and 'Winds Of War'. Until I had seen 'Eagle' - I would've been hard pressed to say that anything was better for the period. And because of the budget, obviously the battle scenes will always favor Winds. But the true character and temperament of the war, the men and women who were involved - you have to watch Once An Eagle.
My only serious complaint was the ending. It felt like it was shortened by one episode, with many unanswered and unresolved questions. For example:
- What happened with Sam's decision to hold Court responsible for his actions at "Palladium"? Of course he stuck to his guns and went forward, but what about after?
- The point at which 'Palladium' occurs suggests the latter part of the war, mid-to-late 1944. There was still a lot of fighting and many battles left in the Pacific theater - was Sam ever given a chance to command again? Or did he lose his chance by accusing a fellow officer of dereliction and murder? Typically those charges in an official inquiry will always taint both officers involved - irrespective of the results, but the ending doesn't point to any single foregone conclusion.
- Did Sam and Tommie ever resolve their issues with one another, the loss of their son, and get back together? I know that things pointed in that direction, but to see them put Donny to rest *as a couple* and move on would have been a reward for viewers who traveled with them throughout their amazing journey. A summation, perhaps after the war had ended, showing them at the home on the lake. Something.
- Was Jinny ever able to settle down and find a life of her own apart from her highly dysfunctional family?
- Was it possible, however remotely, that Donny somehow survived? I know they had the funeral, meaning the Army Air Corp was able to retrieve the remains. But it happened back then that some aviators survived - concealing their American identities by tossing their dog tags into a pile of burning wreckage to throw off & evade opposing forces, attempting to contact partisans, and maybe even make it back to the allied lines.
Even a counting of... skulls... would mean little if the B-29 stuck bottom first - the ball turret gunner's body would have essentially disintegrated making an accurate accounting improbable. Or even worse - had the B29 been unable to drop its payload before impact - what would the corps troops think? The bodies, what little remained, would be completely destroyed thereby making a count of the tags meaningless if not impossible. I can't see how anyone could make an honest appraisal in those situations. Questions like these haunted families for years afterwards, so I honestly see it as possible.
Overall - fantastic and well worth the 7 hours spent.
I always and thoroughly enjoy stumbling onto a hidden unexpected gem. :-)
One of the best miniseries, early or otherwise
Skragg29 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Partial spoiler. I've been attached to it since it was new (it and "Captains and the Kings", which were both parts of a revolving set of miniseries), but partly for lopsided reasons. As great as the actors in general were, I think Cliff Potts was especially good as Courtney Massingale, making him the villain, but (until you see the last parts, or maybe that one scene with the daughter) impossible to HATE. (He played a slightly similar role in "Silent Running" - he was one of the three men in the first parts who teased Bruce Dern constantly, but his character was never really nasty.) One thing the story DIDN'T do was hammer home the subject of Courtney's impotence, instead of reminding you here and there. Of course, I'm sure it made a connection between that and his ambition, but, if so, it was really allowed to speak for itself. (I can only imagine the pushy way it would probably be SPELLED OUT to an audience, if it were made NOW.) So, until the horrible thing he does to those soldiers (or the other horrible part with his daughter), he's much more of a TRAGIC character, and Cliff Potts really put that across. And there was also Clu Gulager, who was very believable as the vicious character Merrick. And, among all the supporting actors, there was Lynda Day George, who (before Jane Seymour got this label) seemed to be in one miniseries after another. Anyway, it was one of the first miniseries, but also one of the best.
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