Reich & arm

This follows two brothers (Peter Strauss, Nick Nolte) growing up--one straight arrow (Strauss) the other a hell-raiser (Nolte). They also love the same woman (Susan Blakely). It starts off in the 1940s and follows them up to the 70s.

Sure, it's a soap opera but it's fun! Despite it's length it's never dull and the acting and production values are surprisingly good. There's also great supporting acting by Edward Asner (as a rough, tough father) and Robert Reed.

I saw it back when it originally aired in 1976. I had forgotten about it until it popped up on cable in the 1990s. The Family Channel showed it and edited out a few words and shots (I distinctly remember a quick side view of Robert Reed naked that wasn't in that showing).This really deserves to be out on DVD. Judging by the votes and the reviews this has quite a following. No masterpiece but just engrossing and well-made.

I saw this series on TV in the 1970's and it was excellent. Great acting by Nick Nolte as the wild one and Peter Strauss as the good guy. It mystifies me that this series was never distributed on DVD or even VHS, when other not even a quarter as good series than this one, have come out on DVD or VHS. I'm positive Rich Man, Poor Man, would sell very well. Everybody would buy it.

This excellent mini-series was actually the first mini-series ever aired and is absolutely flawless from start to finish.

Featuring knockout performances from Nick Nolte as Tom Jordache, Peter Strauss as Rudy Jordache and Susan Blakely as Julie Prescott, this series begins on VE night in 1945 and we follow the three leads over the next three turbulent decades. This is the role that made Nolte a star and he turns in a blockbuster performance in this one. If you get the chance, SEE THIS ONE!

Also features a fine supporting cast with Ed Asner in an Emmy Award Winning performance as Axel Jordache and in one of the best villainous roles I have ever seen, William Smith as Falconetti.

Older people than me have been saying for years; Television ain't what it used to be. These old geesers were usually referring to the grand ol' soaps like "Dallas", "MASH" or even "The Rockford Files". Many referred to "Rich Man, Poor Man" as the best series they ever saw. Once when asked about my favorite villains my extensive knowledge was severely questioned when I failed to name Falconetti. I only knew of Falconetti through "Beautiful Girls", as he was mentioned by Matt Dillon as a nasty guy in TV history. I recently checked out "Rich Man, Poor Man" and it didn't disappoint.

A sprawling epic, spanning over twenty years (1945-1966). This mini-series follows the lives of two brothers, Rudy and Tom Jordache (Strauss and Nolte). Rudy is the rich man of the title and Tom the poor.

You really can't beat these mid-70's TV series. "Rich Man, Poor Man" was a highly ambitious project, adapting a 600 plus page novel chronicling two eventful lives amidst great social changes in America. As with all great American TV, there's much drama here, action and politics.

The cast here is great; Peter Strauss is his usually subdued self as Rudy, the somber but extremely ambitious business man who slowly builds himself an empire. Nick Nolte is perfect as the hot-blooded Tom, whose temper in the end proves very fateful. Along for the ride are some stellar guest stars such as Bill Bixby, Susan Blakely, Murray Hamilton, Edward Asner, Kay Lenz and of course William Smith as Falconetti.

So, I'd like to concur with these old geesers who state; TV just ain't what it used to be.

Not only was this the first mini-series, but one of the most entertaining as well. There are good times, bad times, funny times, and sad times. Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss were excellent. Televised by ABC in 1976, 25 years ago. There are 12 episodes totaling about 9 1/2 hours. I wish ABC would pull the series out of the archives, and replay it for this new generation. It's a timeless classic that I would love to enjoy one more time.