How the West Was Won

This must be the best ever series made for TV. I have for years been looking for this to come on video or DVD, but with no luck in finding it as yet. I am not giving up hope, though, as I have just read that it is obviously very popular still. I watched it in Norway about 25 years ago when I was only about 14, but I still remember the series very clearly. I absolutely love it and hope that there will be a box set made with the entire collection of episodes from "The Macahans" and "How The West Was Won" and the films. It must be the best ever western series, with the actor James Arness as the perfect man for the job. All the actors are brilliant and really drags you into the story. A must have for all western fans all over the planet. Brilliant!!!

I remember watching this mini-series when it was first aired in the late 70's as a child. While I enjoyed the original tv movie THE MACAHAN'S" and the 78 & 79 mini-series which followed I still find the 77 mini-series to be the best one. I used to get goosebumps when I would hear the opening title song accompanied by William (Cannon) Conrad's narration.

First there is Zeb Macahan, a huge mountain man that does things as he sees fit. If it means standing against the Union Army or taking the law into his own hands he has got to be the coolest character on the show. I also was saddened when Zeb had to kill his trapper friend Cully Madigan to prevent him from being slain by Indians. I think my favorite line in the series comes from Zeb during the final moments of the series when Grey the bounty hunter is trying to take Luke to jail. Zeb, while under gun point by Grey, turns to him and says "Grey, I'm gonna lay hands on you and then it's gonna be all over!!" Nothing fazed this man.

Secondly I enjoyed the romance between Luke Macahan and Erika Hanks, the young lady that helped heal Luke's gunshot wound and hide him form his various pursuers. It unfolds in a believable way and the fate of their relationship will have the viewer near tears.

Lastly, the sets were all well done. It appears that most if not all the scenes were shot on location and not some studio back lot. I can only imagine what a visual treat it must have been like to work on the production of this mini-series.

I was luck enough to tape this series during the late 80's and still enjoy watching it at least once a year. Hopefully this mini-series and the other HTWWW series will find their way to DVD soon!!

In my opinion the TV-series "How the West Was Won" is the greatest western ever made straight to TV. The cast is superb with James Arness (Zeb Macahan) in the lead and Bruce Boxleitner (Luke Macahan) co-starring.

I've now been watching all the episodes of this western on Swedish television for the third time (1978, 1989 and 2000). The quality of this series is how it's being able to get the grip of the viewer in such a fashion that not even a frontrunner like Gunsmoke can compete with "How the West Was Won".

I agree with everyone else, excellent show. Considering some of the crap that they put on DVD, I am very disappointed that this mini-series is not available.

Best Mini-Series of all time in my opinion. I saw it 20 years ago and would buy it in a second if it came out on DVD. I just hope it wouldn't be like watching Billy Jack 15 years later. Oh....my....God, did I really think that was good the first time around? I was only a teenager when I first watched "The West" but my parents and my brothers all really enjoyed it too. We all thought it depicted the west how it really was, not as one of those phony westerns that are common to the big screen.

Few shows (mini-series) except for "Centennial" have depicted the gritty realism of the west as well as How The West Was Won. Jim Arness brought the character of Zeb Macahan to life / bigger, rougher and tougher than Matt Dillon could have ever hoped to be. I have the entire multi-season mini series, including the premiere movie, on 15 year old VHS tapes that are losing their quality. I wish the series would be released on DVD in a boxed set. Gunsmoke has been released, and considering some of the awful shows that HAVE been released I don't know why they don't. Does anyone know the status of this situation? I would like to find out who produced the series and perhaps recommend that there is a large audience out there for this kind of DVD release. Perhaps Jim Arness' website could help.