Die Champagner-Dynastie

I totally loved this movie and cannot rave about it enough. Full of wonderfully stong characters, especially the female ones. It would be easier to talk about if I had seen it more recently, but it has been a while. It is well worth reading the book too, like the movie you just melt into it... I wish I had the PAL version!!

An amazing cast; perfect landscapes, sets and costumes. Set in Pre-WWI, the story begins with one wealthy man's troubled marriage, which leaves him a widower with a son who will become estranged to him thanks to interference from elitist grandparents (Michael York & Hugh Grant, two of my faves -- NO SPOILERS). During his travels following the war, York falls for a young woman from a good family (Lucy Gutteridge) who was inopportunely seduced and ultimately forced to become a type of show girl... who he marries, which leads to the birth of three children whose stories unfold with the Nazi occupation of WWII in the backdrop. The stars survive all forms of trauma, much of it caused by York's estranged son (Grant).

Supporting actors (including several of my faves as well, namely Charles Shaughnessy, Bruce Boxleitner, Barry Bostwick, and Vernon Dobtcheff) really help the leading ladies of the story (Lucy Gutteridge, Mia Sara, and Courteney Cox) pull through quite a lot from the start of the film through it's conclusion.

No Spoilers. Watch the movie.

i watched this series when i was little (8 or 9) and it had quite an impression on me. my uncle somehow managed to tape it and so i re watched it several times. what i liked best was not the story itself but its historical and geographical background, i mean, Gosh! the movie spans from the beginning of the 20th century to the early 50s, and covers 3 countries France, England, USA. i was greatly impressed by the WWII episode, the "Resistance" and all, fer me it was an excellent prelude to Schindler's list, though the drama is much stronger in the latter. it had beautiful soundtracks and a whole lot of interesting characters. i liked them all but there was one that i loathed!!! Poor Hugh Grand it was the first movie i've seen him in... i can't remember hating a character as much as i hated Bruno. it was yeeeeaaars after when i watched other movies of his and realized that "Hey! That was just a role, you don't have to hate the actor too! lool!"

This made-for-TV movie was so good that 11 years after having watched it I still can't get it out of my mind. The songs were evocative of the World War II era, Courtney Cox played her role brilliantly, and the film/story was inspirational for young women considering non-traditional jobs. Judith Krantz can be justly proud of having written the story, and the film makers did a wonderful job of adapting the book to a movie. What a shame that it is not out on VHS, nor is the soundtrack available (to the best of my knowledge).

This drama is the kind you see once and it would stuck for very long time. I watched it when I was like 12 years old...it was in early 90's and the story still stuck.

It actually had very good plot and many great characters, but I guess because a mini-series it too soon. Many of the characters had potential, but underdeveloped- maybe because it had to short. But I still have to admit story itself flow nicely, it makes sit till the end and wait for next episode. Courteney Cox did great in this film. I really love her character, Freddy. And Hugh Grant...gotta love him in here.

I really wish this mini-series would be release again in DVD- I definitely will buy it. Personally I'm not a fan of romance-flick, but still this one I made exception.