Captains and the Kings

I have just seen Captains And The Kings on video and I thought that was the best mini-series that I have ever seen. Richard Jordan was outstanding as Joseph Armagh. This was probably the best performance of his film career. He put his whole heart and soul into this role. And he certainly deserved the Golden Globe award that he won for this. He had me hooked from his first scene to the end, so much so that I just kept watching it until it was finished. I also thought that Perry King was also excellent as Rory Armagh and I think he should have received something for his performance. Patty Duke was terrific as Bernadette and I am glad that she did win the Emmy for her role, she certainly deserved it. I also thought that Blair Brown, Charles Durning and Jane Seymour were also excellent in this. So I highly recommend this mini-series to anybody that appreciates great talent and a great story and this was a classic with outstanding acting.

The comparison of the fictional Armaughs to the Kennedy clan can't be escaped. Still, this is a magnificent entertainment piece about an Irish immigrant who claws to the top of power and money (remindful of Joe Kennedy Sr.?)with the crown jewel being son Rory's bid to become the nation's first Irish Catholic president. "Captains and the Kings" is riveting from its beginning when a young Joseph Armaugh is left by his mother's death to care for two younger siblings and through the end where the elderly Joseph is left alone questioning the cost of his power and wealth. The late Richard Jordan is brilliant in presenting his Joseph as the scrapping improverished immigrant turned industrialist power broker but who, in the end, pays a horrible price. The mini-series also introduced us to Blair Brown as the daughter of Joseph's role model, and she manages to grab our empathy despite her being a mistress in Joseph's extra-marital pilferings. But, in a role that landed her a second Emmy, Patty Duke (Astin)is devastating as Joseph's wife in an arranged marriage who gradually is pushed by the price of power (and alcoholism) to insanity. There is a lesson in "Captains and the Kings," especially to those who hunger for more. As with all things, costs come, and the question is at what cost do we feed our hunger and our willingness to pay it.

Captains and the Kings is such a rich mini-series. From the first episode to the last you can't help being drawn to the characters. I just got the VHS set and I can tell you that the story holds up as well now as it did in 1976. If you get the chance to see Captains and the Kings, don't pass it up. I guarantee it: you'll be hooked!!

Without question,by far the greatest thing I've ever seen on film. The acting,writing,scenery,music,costumes,just incredible!All of it-just incredible!The cast members complimented one another beautifully. The music conducted by Leonard Bernstein was so great! I have to wonder why they can't put together a series or mini-series like it now.I purchased it on tape and can honestly say that if i were forced to destroy every tape I own but one Captains and Kings would be the one I keep without a moments hesitation.Richard Jordans' performance was fantastic. In the beginning he's this youngster protecting his brother and sister and at the end of the movie he's an older man. Charles Durnings' role,what can i say? The man was terrific! Barbara Parkins,soooooooo good. Harvey Jason and Vic Morrow,both great!I seriously apologize for leaving out some cast members due to my bad memory when it comes to names-PLEASE know that ALL of you were GREAT!

This TV miniseries was based on the Taylor Caldwell novel, which was clearly inspired by the Kennedy family, though it takes place in an earlier time; (Irish immigrants, the patriarch's first name was Joseph, he wants his son to be the first Irish Catholic President, need I say more?)

I read the novel and it was fascinating reading, but I liked the series better, as it made the characters more compassionate. This was especially true of Joseph Armagh, who in the book is colder and more autocratic, as well as unforgiving. In the series, he comes across as more human and with a heart.

Patty Duke was excellent as Joseph's wife, Bernadette, whom he married to fulfill a deathbed promise to her mother, Katherine, his first love. Ironically, he later falls in love with the woman who unwittingly helped bring about her death, by revealing the child she had with Katherine's husband. This will later have disastrous results for Joseph and Bernadette's daughter.

Their eldest child, Rory, represents all Joseph's hopes and ambitions, but his love for a Protestant heiress threatens to topple all Joseph's plans.

Yes, it's a bit of a soap opera, but there's also history, drama and plenty of entertainment, not to mention great acting. One of the best miniseries ever.