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Chiefs TV Mini-Series |
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Home: You are here: VHS : Chiefs TV Mini-Series |
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Chiefs TV Mini-Series  Rating: Rating:  - Can't Wait for the DVD!I've loved this mini-series since I first viewed it on CBS in the 80's (that network seemed to have all my favorites of that era: CHIEFS, A CHRISTMAS CAROL with George C. Scott, THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL, JACK THE RIPPER and LONESOME DOVE...all classics). But the old VHS tape on which I recorded CHIEFS is long gone, it's time for this mini-series to get a proper DVD release! I recently watched a special edition DVD box set of SHOGUN (helmed by CHIEFS director Jerry London), and it is a 5-disc beautifully remastered set with excellent video quality and 5.1 surround sound. I see no reason why CHIEFS can't receive the same treatment! In fact, I've heard the mini-series has been released in other countries with a 4-disc set...that would be ideal. 3 discs for the film and 1 for special features. I have a feeling it will happen soon, especially considering I've seen other mini-series as WINDS OF WAR available on DVD at the local stores! CHIEFS is a brilliant study about Americana as well as a taut compelling crime story! I can't wait until the day I can own a worthy copy of this masterpiece! Rating:  - Running Time QuestionPerhaps someone who has a tape of the original USA broadcast over 6 nights could time that version (six hours minus commercials). This would then be standard version running time and we could see how deficient the DVD is. If a deluxe DVD comes out we'd know also if that one measures up to the original or if there are added scenes etc. Rating: - Best mini series of all time - from David in Brisbane QldThis mini series, "Chiefs" from the book by Stuart Woods, was first shown in Australia on the Ten Network in the early 80s and presented by Bill Collins. He gave it a great review and spoke about the characters and the powerful story line. From the moment I first watched it I was hooked!The characterisation and intensity of the acting is nothing short of stunning! The adherance to details of the period settings, from the 1920s to the early 1960s is spot on, including the changing style of automobiles (unlike some period movies where you sometimes see a 1970s car in a film set in the 1930s - check out Great Waldo Pepper! - with apologies to the late George Roy Hill!) The story follows three generations of police chiefs in small town America, and is essentially a story of good verses bad. The good characters of Will Henry and Billy Lee, Hugh Holmes, and Tyler Watts battle against police corruption, Ku Klux Klan, bigotry, murder, and racism. The "bad" characters of Foxy Funderburke, Sonny Butts, Hoss and Emmett Spence and Skeeter Willis balance out the other side of the coin. There are so many outstanding pieces to this story it is hard to choose one character above all the others, however my personal choice for sheer intensity of characterisation would have to be Sonny Butts (portrayed by the late Brad Davis.) However - one major complaint! The series was originally shown on television in Australia over three nights in three, two hour blocks, including commercials, critiques, and pre and end credits. This would mean a running time of a little over 4 hours. The film was released on DVD in the UK on Region 2 and just recently in Australia on Region 4 with a running time of 3 hrs 20 mins, and several major scenes have been either deleted completely or cut short. This spoils the storyline and is completely unnecessary and frustrating. Also the picture quality is lacking in contrast and sharpness. I therefore hope that it will receive a new DVD release with EVERY scene included IN FULL!, as I'm sure the director originally intended. It would probably require a 2 DVD set rather than the single disc set available currently Rating: - ChiefsI first saw this movie when I was a teenager. My mother recorded it onto a VHS tape. I still have this old tape. I pull it out at least twice a year to watch it. If you want to see a good movie, watch the movie "Chiefs". I will be happy when and if it becomes available on DVD, so I could finally dump the old VHS tape!!!!! This movie covers so many topics. The reality of racism is explored over the course of several generations and the fact that evil can come from places people least expect are just a few of the subjects covered in this movie. "Chiefs" just gripped me from the beginning. Excellent movie!!! POWERFUL! |
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