chrissso 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

carpedozer Watched it on NBC when it first aired, and have long thought "OAE" one of the best productions network TV has given us. Big screen or little screen, excellence always begins with the words, and Anton Meyrer's book provided a great story. A fine adaptation, a great cast, and an insightful look into military life between and during the wars. I hadn't been out of the military very long at that time, and I remember comparing various characters with people I had served with. It's no surprise to learn the book is now required reading for future officers.Terrific work by Sam Elliott, Glenn Ford, Darleen Carr and others, but I am surprised no one else has mentioned the outstanding effort long-time character actor Robert Hogan delivered as Ben Krisler, Damon's best friend. He brought real humanity, humor and depth to what might have been just a second banana part, and Hogan and Sam Elliott made the on-screen friendship solid and believable. Add my vote to those who would like to see it released again. For one thing I'd like to see if it stands up well after all these years...or if my memory has just burnished it brighter than it actually was :-).

jayandbutton2 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.

sites4u -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!