E1 ENTERTAINMENT Captains and The Kings

I was so excited when I learned a few months ago about this under-rated television treasure was finally being released on DVD. As a huge Patty Duke fan, it is always wonderful to see her Emmy-winning performance, but this film is excellent, no matter who is on the screen. I was first disappointed by the lack of extras on here. I contacted Koch saying Ms. Duke (I run her official website) might be interested in doing some special features for this, but my words went ignored for months. By the time I spoke with them again, it was too late. They said Blair Brown was the only actor from this huge mini-series they could get a hold of. That is doubtful, although the low budget-looking intereview with Brown is excellent. Clocking in at just over sixteen minutes, Brown offers many wonderful tidbits on the making of this epic mini-series. I have accepted the lack of extras, but I cannot accept the lack of picture quality on this set. It's awful! I have not seen the Universal- released VHS from about ten years ago in a while, but I can tell you this DVD picture is no improvement over the VHS. In fact, I think it may be worse. The color of the picture is not bad, but the specks on every single frame of the film make me feel like I am watching it back on TNT in the early '90s! At least Koch does not falsely claim to have digitally restored this, but in 2009 I guess I assumed it was a given. Silly me. Despite the flaws of the DVD itself, this mini-series should not be missed. In my own opinion it is one of the finest pieces of that genre in television history, something that could stand proudly beside Angels in America and Tales of the City. The price is not bad (especially if you get it from a vendor on here). This should be part of everyone's DVD library if for no other reason than to see televison at it's very best.

I loved this mini-series. I have always had an interest in the Gilded Age. This production was privately financed and made during the early evolution of the mini-series format. It is wonderfully cast and the late Richard Jordan's performance as Joseph Armagh is excellent. You also can see the earlier work of other well-known actors such as Patty Duke, Charles Durning, Perry King, Jane Seymour, Blair Brown and Vic Morrow. Blair Brown also gives an introduction of the making of the series and the acting styles of the 70's. The mini-series is based on Taylor Caldwell's novel and considered by many to be her best work. I would encourage reading of the book and compare it to the mini-series. The mini-series is not as dark as the book in plot and many characterizations were modified. One of the two who come to my mind especially is Joseph's brother Sean who is practically the reverse of the novel. Bernadette is much more innocent as a young woman and it is understandable how she declines so sadly as the series progresses. In the novel, she is cynical and manipulative when first introduced as a teenage girl. Changes had to made because the novel in the hardback version is 693 pages. That much story had to be condensed. I think the DVD is worth watching for those who love the gilded age and the Kennedy saga. Much of what transpires is certainly similar to the trials and tribulations of that family but just set in an earlier american period.

Captains and the Kings Based on Taylor Caldwell's international bestseller, "Captains and the Kings" is the sweeping rags-to-riches tale of an Irish immigrant in late 1800s. Joseph Armagh (magnificently played by Richard Jordan in a multifaceted performance for which he deservedly won a Golden Globe) was a poor Irish immigrant who came to the U.S. in the mid-19th century. Through struggle, heartache and hard work, he became one of the richest and most powerful men in the country who was determined to make his handsome eldest son (Perry King is in top form) the first Irish Catholic President of the U.S. It is also the story of the price that was paid for it in the consuming, single-minded determination of man clawing his way to the top; in the bittersweet bliss of the love of a beautiful woman; in the almost-too-late enjoyment of extraordinary children; and in a curse which uses the hand of fate to strike in the very face of success itself. Patty Duke, who's never been better since her Oscar-winning performance in "The Miracle Worker", is equally impressive in an award-caliber performance as Bernadette Armagh (Joseph's drunken, mentally unstable wife) for which she took home an Emmy, as did the brilliant cinematography (Ric Waite) which is a major highlight. Other highlights are a top supporting cast splendidly filled with fine and strong performances all around, Charles Durning exceptionally superb; lush production values, with gorgeous set decorations & excellent art directions; beautifully photographed studio locations; outstanding costume design; and wonderful Elmer Bernstein's music score which earned an Emmy nomination for Best Music Composition. By all means, a truly memorable movie spectacle to say the least.

This is a good movie/video. I saw it long ago when it was a series on television and when I found it on Amazon.com I was thrilled. Great acting and great story. The older child in this movie had to overcome his parents death and make a life for his younger siblings. Always working to take care of them, kept him from growing and really knowing them. He was a self made rich man because of working no stop, but lost something along the way.