Favourite Mini-Series / Drama Serial

[Gravdigr]

You mean this Firefly?

IMDB shows fourteen episodes...That mini-series needs to go on a diet.

[Clodfobble]

Yeah, I would say Orphan Black doesn't fit the definition of a miniseries, but it is nonetheless excellent. I really do forget all the time that the characters are being played by the same actress.

[Clodfobble]

In the genuine miniseries category, I was a big fan of "Wild Palms." Even bought the VHS tapes from a rental store that was going out of business. It's a little dated now--what people in 1993 thought the future was going to look like--but I think it would be right up your alley, Dana.

[DanaC]

Oh man! Wild Palms I loved! Tht was real watercooler tv.

I remember in the late 90s, when i got into MMO gaming, I used to think about Wild Palms and their avatars.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

You mean this Firefly?

IMDB shows fourteen episodes...That mini-series needs to go on a diet.

It's a bit over half the length of a typical US season. And far too short.

And Ken Burns' "Roosevelts" miniseries that just came out is 14 hours long as well. Also quite good.

I'll also recommend Ken Burns' The Civil War.

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

I'll also recommend Ken Burns' The Civil War.

[Pamela]

I enjoy a good miniseries too!

My absolute favorites:

Shogun

The Thorn Birds

(why, yes, I DO have the hots for Richard Chamberlain, why do you ask?)

The Blue and the Gray

[lumberjim]

Was Midway a mini series? That was pretty good. Mostly, I don't get to see 3 nights of TV in a row.... So I have not seen many. I think I saw part of lonesome dove, but that was when it was new, so I had to be, what? 14? When did that come out?


Edit: Feb 89. Huh. I was 18 1/2. Still living at home, going to Penn state. Would have been dating Heather..... So yeah, was most likely over her house trying to get my junk wet when it was on.

[Stormieweather]

Luther
Orphan Black

Even though they may not fit the definition of a "mini" series, I them both!

I'm also working on Happy Valley and Hinterland.

Previously watched and loved:

The Stand

[infinite monkey]

Stormie: I was gonna say The Stand, I thought they did a really good job with one of my old favorite books. Then I thought maybe it was just how hot I found the then relatively unknown Gary Sinise. And Rob Lowe. He's a local.

Apparently I need to check out this Orphan Black show.

Originally Posted by Stormieweather

Luther
Orphan Black

Even though they may not fit the definition of a "mini" series, I them both!

I'm also working on Happy Valley and Hinterland.

Previously watched and loved:

The Stand

[DanaC]

Lots of excellent miniseries in here. Thornbirds - oooooh. watched that with Mum ,when i was a kid and loved it. Shogun was one of my Dad's faves - we also had the book on our bookshelves, though I was never able to get into it.

Here's one for you - and it only just really makes it intothe category, because there were two follow ups, but each was based on a book in a series of books :P The current remake, with Kevin Spacey is doing very well for netflix. I haven't watched it yet, but it's on my must see list.

Here's a taste of the original House of Cards, the original four part mini series from 1990. From what I have read, it is very different from the remake in some ways. It had a huge cultural impact. Lots of sayings and quotes from it are still in common currency. In particular, in answer to a leading and sensitive question - 'Well, you might think/say that but I couldn't possibly comment'.

The original, taken from the novel, was supposed to be quite Shakespearian in its approach. The lead character, Urquhart was very much a Iago type character. Vicious, entitled, and utterly without redeeming features.

[DanaC]

Three more awesome mini series -

1st up an oldie, but one that completely wowed me and my whole family when the original two parter aired. We also watched the follow up series - but the two parter was like nothing I'd ever seen before.

Oh yes - it's the classic V

Here's an excellent fanmade trailer for the original miniseries:



Never got on with the remake, sadly. Thought it lacked heart.

Next up - not as old, but realy rocked my little world:

Blackpool, a sort of partly musical drama starring practically every excellent actor currently working on Brit tv :P

Not many clips available, and only of the songs, not really much in the way of the ordinary dialogue:

David Morrisey - small time business entrepeneur and criminal type. David Tennant the detective investigating a murder - and also having an affair with Morrisey's wife.




They tried a remake (Viva Laughlin) less said about that the better :P



Finally - another David Tennant one - the BBC's awesome miniseries Casanova. Tennant playing the young Casanova, and the late great Peter O'Toole at his dissolute, charming best as the elderly Casanova, recounting tales of his despicable youthful exploits.

Promo:




And Casanova comes to England:

[glatt]

I remember the original V. I may have even watched it once or twice.

The late 70 and early 80s seemed to be the peak of the mini series era. At least for me.

I remember Roots, the Thorn Birds, North & South, Shogun, and Lonesome Dove. It seemed like there was a rule, perhaps even a law, that Richard Chamberlain had to appear in each mini series.

They were all forgettable, except the only mini series that I ever got even a little excited about:

The Stand.

I'm sure if I saw it today, I'd think it was dumb, but it was your post apocalyptic star studded extravaganza. And M-O-O-N spells moon.