thuktun42 When this aired in 1987, I taped it but rapidly lost interest.After reading the novelization, I re-watched this recently after discovering torrents of it on 3 DVD's at conspiracycentral.net. It was(to me)a very interesting concept. I liked the archetypes of the three main characters, and a few of the supporting cast. Unfortunately, it was undone by a horrible pace and far too many cardboard characters. Really, we didn't need to stop for 60-120 seconds every time someone says something "important", just to play dramatic music over a montage of people looking pensive.At heart, I found it an interesting exercise in paranoid fantasy, undone by horrible direction.For those of you folks who have wished for a modern version of this miniseries showing America under Sharia law, pick up "Prayers of the Assassin", a novel by Robert Ferrigno. It's even more unreadable than Amerika was unwatchable, but plays to paranoids just as well as this. I've seen it on a number of clearance tables at bookstores, so you folks shouldn't have much trouble getting a copy.

mm-39 The first 15 minutes were good, but the usually low budget, too much dioluge, and sappy made for TV quality. I watched 2 showa and the ending I could not stand the boredom this film produces. Who would have gussed in 87 that the Cold War would be over in 2 years. I guess when they open a Mc Donalds in Moscow the signs where there! 3/10

Brad Miller I came across a copy of this 12 hour epic at my local library and sat down and watched some of the slowest footage in television history. The idea was good, even if it was implausible in 1987. The film would have had much more credibility if the time setting had been more at the peak of the Cold War. So, if you cast all that aside the movie is pretty good. But there are other drawbacks. The film takes place in 1997, ten years after the coup. They should have focused a little more on how the coup actually takes place. All they tell us is that the Soviets backed certain political candidates and then it was final. No blood shed. It features too many musical montages that take away from the film, particularly after the squatter camp has been attacked. Some characters are forgotten about or lose too much screen time. We only see Devin's youngest son one time after he meets him. And finally the film could have easily been shortened from 12 hours to 6 and not lost a thing. I guess after I've ripped the movie apart I still found time to enjoy it though. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Daniel L. Miley I was browsing thru the screen credits for Laura Flynn Boyle and noticed she had a bit part in this mess. And then I read a comment that this mini-series was "great" and that the user couldn't understand why this was never shown again. Maybe because this series was vapid, vacuous, boring and incoherent! Who told Kris Kristoffersen he could act?! He does his best to obfuscate an already muddled plot with his usual mumbling double talk. Somehow Kris has done something (or failed to do something) that allows the Russians to take over. No real explanation is ever given. If the Russians were forced to watch this mess, they would turn tail and run! The only good part of this show is the execution of Congress! (Of course, a funnier execution is the Martian one in "Mars Attacks!") . Avoid this show at all costs!