Rich Man, Poor Man

Finally - the best ever TV mini series is available to buy on DVD as a box set - i could'nt wait to get it . I could'nt understand why it was not available - found it as a box set on Amazon.co.uk (it is on region 2 - so you will need a multi region DVD player if you are outside of region 2 ). A very young Nick Nolte and Peter Stauss - with fantastic performances from both of them , launching their careers . I will be spending a lot of time re-watching the DVD - does'nt seem like 28 years since audiences around the world were captivated by the strong acting and storyline - yet there were only 12 episodes , seemed like so much more.

"Rich Man, Poor Man," was the very first mini-series on television.

It was the very first of what they called "the long form." Though almost all the television history books say that "Roots" was the first, that is simply not true. It was "Rich Man, Poor Man," a 12 hour mini-series that everyone stayed home to watch. The t.v. historians should be more accurate. This was great television at it's best, produced from ABC and Universal. It was one of Fred Silverman's finest accomplishments and that of Brandon Stoddard as well. You have to credit producer Harve Bennett and the head of ABC television's new department at that time, Esther Shapiro who brought us many great movies and mini-series. It starred Nick Nolte, Susan Blakely and Peter Strauss. It had a cast that has remained unequaled in television.

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.

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 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.