User Reviews

This was the first mini series I had seen on Polish TV at the end of the 1980s. I was a kid and did not care much about what's going on on TV but I remember that a lot of people absolutely loved the series, there were discussions about the strange fates of Rudi and Tom at parties. These 45 minutes of one part every Sunday was a time of a breath-stop in most families. A wedding reception of my aunt and uncle had to be paused for this time because all the participants flocked to take a seat in front of TV sets in order to see another part of RICH MAN POOR MAN (in my country the title was translated into "A weather for the rich"). Nowadays, it may seem strange that people were so much influenced by a mini series, especially when there are so many of them. But, the seria that are made recently appear not to be as good. There is something extraordinary about it, something magic. I could feel it two years ago when I had a chance to see the mini series again.

It teaches a lot. There are a lot of moments that show life as it is: strange, unexpected, paradoxical, ambiguous. Rudi, a proper son of the Jordache family, knows what he wants from the beginning. He is ambitious and goes very far. But does he do his best to make use of his riches? Tom, a "bad son" who gets himself and his family only into trouble, treats life as it goes. Irresponsible, light-hearted but in the end, it is him who is with his mother at the moment of her death... Julie Prescott, a beautiful girl who loved Rudi and wanted to be loved by him from the very beginning (living in sin in New York), falls into a wrong marriage, has a son and is not able to be a "good mother" But is it her character or her loneliness that lead her to drinking and depression?

Each character in the movie is a very psychological interpretation of the complicated nature of human being. Even a villain Falconetti is like that due to something that happened to him earlier in his life. The experience while watching this mini series for me was that I could not judge a single character. All of them were good and bad at the same time. All of them were ambiguous. Nobody is, in fact, absolutely good or absolutely evil. That is, I think, the core of human nature, and the series presents it memorably.

The action also kept me to my chair. Although there are boring moments, they do not last for long and very soon comes something that makes the blood run faster.

The cast are GREAT! Peter Strauss and his portrayal of Rudi is unforgettable. When I read the book, I saw his face. REALLY FITS TO THE ROLE! Nick Nolte - PERFECT! I think that most people will agree with me that it's difficult to imagine a better Tom than him. Rebellious, hyperactive, irresponsible, but emotional! Susan Blakely's portrayal of Julie also, without doubt, deserves appreciation. And finally William Smith as Falconetti. I heard that although he has had many roles since then (1976) most people have always associated him with this role. That is what I call the "everlasting impact of portrayals". Despite there will be (or already were) other people who will be cast to this role, a certain portrayal will always be seen as the best.

Not to make my review go forever and bore the readers to death (which is my huge drawback), this mini series is one of the few that I call AMBITIOUS. It is worth watching due to many factors. It is, first of all, about life as it is, not as it should be. It is universal. Therefore, you will find yourself in some of the characters as I did.

AT LAST ON DVD, A MUST HAVE!

Older people than me have been saying for years; Television ain't what it used to be. These old geesers were usually referring to the grand ol' soaps like "Dallas", "MASH" or even "The Rockford Files". Many referred to "Rich Man, Poor Man" as the best series they ever saw. Once when asked about my favorite villains my extensive knowledge was severely questioned when I failed to name Falconetti. I only knew of Falconetti through "Beautiful Girls", as he was mentioned by Matt Dillon as a nasty guy in TV history. I recently checked out "Rich Man, Poor Man" and it didn't disappoint.

A sprawling epic, spanning over twenty years (1945-1966). This mini-series follows the lives of two brothers, Rudy and Tom Jordache (Strauss and Nolte). Rudy is the rich man of the title and Tom the poor.

You really can't beat these mid-70's TV series. "Rich Man, Poor Man" was a highly ambitious project, adapting a 600 plus page novel chronicling two eventful lives amidst great social changes in America. As with all great American TV, there's much drama here, action and politics.

The cast here is great; Peter Strauss is his usually subdued self as Rudy, the somber but extremely ambitious business man who slowly builds himself an empire. Nick Nolte is perfect as the hot-blooded Tom, whose temper in the end proves very fateful. Along for the ride are some stellar guest stars such as Bill Bixby, Susan Blakely, Murray Hamilton, Edward Asner, Kay Lenz and of course William Smith as Falconetti.

So, I'd like to concur with these old geesers who state; TV just ain't what it used to be.

Not only was this the first mini-series, but one of the most entertaining as well. There are good times, bad times, funny times, and sad times. Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss were excellent. Televised by ABC in 1976, 25 years ago. There are 12 episodes totaling about 9 1/2 hours. I wish ABC would pull the series out of the archives, and replay it for this new generation. It's a timeless classic that I would love to enjoy one more time.

Arguably the best mini series ever. I was in high school when ABC was airing RMPM and I definitely didn't miss any of the episodes. I guess most high school kids, well boys anyway, could relate to Tom Jordache. All you want to do is get the heck out of school and move on. As for the series itself the diamonds in the rough were Ed Asner as Axel Jordache and Bill Bixby as Willie Abbott. Asner did a great job getting away from the Lou Grant persona and becoming the brutish Jordache and everybody knew Bill Bixby as the nice guy dad on "The Courtship of Eddie's Father". Bixby did a great job playing the role of the lazy, irresponsible Willie Abbott. For eye candy there was Lynda Day George playing the wife of one of Tommy's boxing rivals. She was really a knockout in that bathing suit. And Susan Blakely wasn't too bad either. Another surprise was William Smith as Falconetti the bad guy. Hey, I was used to seeing him as one of the good guy Texas Rangers on "Laredo" back in the mid 60s. At any rate I wish they'd pull both RMPM parts 1 and 2 out of the archives for another generation.

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.

The first ever television mini-series was broadcast as 12 x 50 minute episodes in the U.K., either side of 'News At Ten' on three consecutive Wednesday and Friday nights throughout July, in that summer, of 1976. It was ITV's answer to the BBC's coverage of the Olympics at the time-and what an answer!

The story of Rudy & Tom Jordache...two brothers who battled through their conflicting lifestyles in two different ways. Based on the best-selling novel by Irwin Shaw, we are taken on a roller-coaster ride starting in Port Philip, New York in 1945 through to the French Riviera in the mid-60's. A classic tale of Rags to Riches and Happiness to Heartbreak.

Messrs. Strauss and Nolte are awesome as the brothers with the fine support of Susan Blakely as the love interest in the story. All this interjected with a great well known cast, a legend of the TV Screens was born.

The series won countless Emmy nominations and came away with Four in total in the form of Edward Asner, Fionnuala Flanagan, composer Alex North and director, David Greene.

Don't miss this one!

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.

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.

Fans of good acting and soap operas will love the 1970s classic Rich Man, Poor Man. There's nothing more compelling than watching two brothers take different paths in life. I don't know why that storyline tugs on your heartstrings so much, but it always does. In this miniseries, Peter Strauss and Nick Nolte have only one thing in common: their love for the same woman. Coming from mismatched parents, Dorothy McGuire and Ed Asner, the boys see different examples of how to cope and live. Dorothy is a classy lady who married the low-class Ed. She's disappointed in him, her life, and the way they've brought up their kids. Ed is cruel and teaches lessons through violence rather than through acting as a positive role model. As a reactionary child, Peter tries to grow up as a gentleman. Wealth, class, and societal success are his goals. Nick is the rough and tumble problem child. Which one will Susan Blakely fall for?

Since this was made in the 1970s but took place in the 1940s, you'll see your fair share of feathery hairdos and loud fashions. A lot of familiar faces like Ray Milland, Van Johnson, Dorothy Malone, and Gloria Grahame, will remind you of the silver screen time period. It still has that distinctive '70s feel to it, but do you really care when you're engrossed in the story and torn between the rich man and the poor man? Check this one out if you like "old" television soaps.

A huge favorite with college students and adults. People quickly formed parties around the series. It was an amazing part of television history. People talked about the show all week long waiting for the next installment. The use of established stars and new faces created a great deal of believability in the story line. Shows like Dallas, Dynasty, and other miniseries like Roots owe their success to Rich Man, Poor Man. America was glued to the miniseries format. The use of real historic events created the feeling that the author was relating true events to you through the characters. Successful television shows and movies, such as Wonder Years and Forrest Gump, have applied this format.

I first saw this series when it came out in 1976. One of the benefits of aging is forgetfulness, and I had forgotten all the episodes of Book 1 and Book 2. However, I do remember being impressed by the series when I saw it the first time. Now, after a second viewing, I have a much more distinct idea about the series. First, the casting, directing, acting and production values are first-rate. Secondly, Book 1 is more engrossing than Book 2, which we all know will include a reckoning with Falconetti (a rare Italian bad guy who is not in the mafia). William Smith did a great job in this series, but it was Nick Nolte who carried the dramatic lead here. Peter Strauss was good, but not quite as good as Nolte. Susan Blakely was very good in the first few episodes, but her character began to recede in the latter half of Book 1. Most of Book 2 is just not that engrossing as Book 1, with the exception of the final episode. One thing the brothers did have in common, however, was their inability to finish off a deadly confrontation the right way; and they both came to regret it. I will not mention why. Well worth watching for Book 1, but only the addicted will watch all of Book 2. My suggestion is that after Book 1, just skip to the final episode of Book 2 and you will not have missed very much. Good viewing, though.

Anyone interested in American popular culture should hunt down a DVD of "Rich Man, Poor Man." With its epic length (12 episodes!), "RMPM" established the television miniseries as the premier way to dramatize popular literature -- for a decade after it aired, every sweeps month bulged with middlebrow seriousness: "Roots," "The Thorn Birds," "Winds of War," etc etc. With its epic cast (half of Hollywood), "RMPM" established the miniseries as a respectable way for an out-of-work TV actor to make a quick buck between game-show gigs (Mike Brady, Darrin Stephens and Stanley Roper all made some residuals off this sucker). Beyond its historical significance, though, "Rich Man Poor Man" is just a soap opera masquerading as some grand statement about the middle of the 20th Century. Don't get me wrong -- as a soap opera, it delivers. There's plenty of sex, scenery and histrionics, the lattermost generally delivered by Susan Blakely ("All I ever see of you anymore is that skinny kiester disappearing through the door!" screams our horny, alcoholic political wife). As art, it falls pretty short.

Part of the problem is the Irwin Shaw novel on which it is based. Shaw had plenty of ambition, but was a far better storyteller than moralist so his books are like rivers -- they wander wide but don't run very deep. The title "Rich Man, Poor Man" alludes to the class distinctions Shaw tries (and fails) to explore over 25 years and about 900 pages. TV producers are far more literal-minded than novelists so they assumed "Rich Man, Poor Man" is a description of the book's two main male characters, the brothers Rudy (Rich Man) and Tom (Poor Man) Jordache. This rather limited vision excludes the other Jordache sibling, sister Gretchen, whose character is combined with Rudy's first girlfriend and first wife into Julie, played by the plucky Miss Blakely. Since she's actually three women, Julie comes off as a little schizophrenic -- she careens from dewy young thing to long-suffering wife to desperate housewife to pathetic drunk, sometimes in the same scene. To her everlasting credit, Blakely almost manages to pull it off (why didn't she have a better career after this show? She should at least have scored some 80s nighttime soap or a few memorable disease-of-the-week movies. Were her standards too high? Too low?). Without a stable female character, "RMPM" is forced to make its point by contrasting the wildly divergent paths the two brothers follow. Rudy becomes a successful businessman. Tom becomes a blue-collar drifter. So I guess that in post-WWII America, different men do different things. Wow.

Still, "RMPM" is a pretty gripping story, and for the most part it's well-acted. Blakely, as said before, is laboring under some awfully heavy demands and acquits herself admirably. Ed Asner, as the German-born patriarch of the Jordache family, dominates the early episodes and deserves the Emmy he picked up (he must have a room full of them at home, and he's earned every single one of them). Dorothy MacGuire as Mama Jordache, and Gloria Grahame as the mother of the ill-fated Julie, are both a bit shrewish and frumpy but I'm pretty sure Irwin Shaw had some issues with his Mom that he was trying to work out here. Peter Strauss is a tad insubstantial as Rudy but he manages to convey a certain phony charm that makes the character meteoric rise believable. Nick Nolte is brilliant as the gruff, violent but ultimately honorable Tom Jordache. He never appears to be acting, but you always know what he's feeling and his performance seemed to be a harbinger of more great things than the man has delivered over the past few decades ("Affliction" was great, but it seemed long overdue). As for the small army of guest stars who drop in to chew a little scenery and collect a paycheck, well, they look like they're having fun. The only genuinely embarrassing performance comes, inexplicably, from Bill Bixby, who directed this mighty mess. He cast himself as Julie's first husband and figured that playing a frustrated writer meant imitating Charles Nelson Reilly. When Julie catches him cheating, you're surprised to see a woman follow him out of the bedroom.

Every time I go in a video store or look up videos to rent or purchase online, I always put Rich Man Poor Man in the search engine. Always to come up empty though. This was TV at its best. Nothing topped this back in the 70's but maybe Luke and Laura on General Hospital. I remember always getting pumped up cause a new episode was coming on. If my memory is correct, I am pretty sure it was tuesday night, I know the opening episode was a 2 hr long Sunday night treat.

I really wish I could watch this again and see if it still holds up to this day. I really don't think it could lose much of the magic, since it was told in an earlier year sequence anyways. I guess the only thing different now would be the actors are a lot older these days. I will never forget the Tom Jordache and Falconetti last episode. That will always stay in my memory forever. Ed Asner was also excellent.

I can still remember a very young Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss in this series - who would have thought at the time this series would have catapulted them both onto Hollywood careers . Definitely the the first and the best TV mini series -

it had me glued to the TV set each week - so as not to miss an episode . I think Falconetti with that eye patch , he must have been one of the best bad guys to hit the small screen in a long time - i wonder where he is now. Great to see it is AVAILABLE to BUY in the UK on DVD .

I have ordered my copy from Amazon UK as soon as i saw it was available

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.

A solid 10! But maybe I am just being a little biased. I remember when this came out on TV, the Network brought it out with a two hour special, and I don't know why (yes this series was heavily hyped) but as a 14 year old I am not sure what drew me to this series. I vividly remember watching the first 2 episodes and then you had to wait a week to watch the next one, and so on and so on. Most if not all of the kids in our circle watched this series. I also read both novels, book one and book two.

Can you imagine anyone else playing Tommy Jordache than Nick Nolte? Or anyone else playing Falconetti? I related much more to the Tommy Jordache character than the Rudy character for whatever reason.

If you haven't seen this series, this has to be the best series ever produced. Highly recommended if you can watch it. May be a bit dated now since it was over forty, yes over forty, years ago.

This 1976 made for TV mini-series was so memorable that Mrs. Shullivan and I recently purchased a DVD release of the series and binge watched all 12 chapters over a weekend. Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss play two conflicted brothers who have much different relationships with their father played by Ed Asner (Lou Grant from Mary Tyler Moore).

Every time Nick Nolte who plays the rough and tumble care free brother Tom Jordache appeared on screen he absolutely owned the audience and his many classic confrontations and touching scenes with his older brother Rudy Jordache (played by Peter Strauss) and/or with his father Axel Jordache (played by Ed Asner) are most memorable.

There is an excellent ensemble of veteran actors such as Susan Blakely, Dorothy Malone, Dorothy McGuire, Ray Milland, Bill Bixby, Robert Reed, and who can forget the perfect villain portrayal of the one-eyed Falconetti played by the tall, muscular moustachioed William Smith.

I loved every minute of this made for TV mini-series and I still think most highly of the dramatic performances and story lines some four plus decades later. This is a must see for any fan of great drama and intense action about the struggles within a family unit and their love interests that transpires over thirty (30) or more years of their lives.

I rate this series a perfect 10 out of 10 IMDB rating

I never watched Rich Man, Poor Man until right now, never got a chance to see it back in 1976. But it was worth the wait. And I definitely see why it was so award laden at the time. Especially refreshing was Susan Blakely as Julie Prescott. One thing I can say is that the female characters seemed to be woven from the same neurotic cloth. And everyone seems to have a jaundiced view of life, even Rudy Jordache. As written in the teleplay, it is heavy handed and can seem overly depressing at times. Ed Asner has a repetitively boorish role but is convincing as hardened by life patriarch Axel Jordache. Everyone involved seems to be too old for their roles, but what the heck, it's Peter Strauss, a young neophyte Nick Nolte, Talia Shire, Ed Asner, Robert Reed, Ray Milland, Kim Darby, and the great Dorothy McGuire. And a smarmy Bill Bixby. All in all, not bad.

I think it is incredible that this milestone of television history still has not been released in the US on DVD. The 30th anniversary of the first broadcast of the mini-series has come and gone. It would have been a golden opportunity to release it. I would also hope that they would do it right, with background and "making of" segments. Interviews with the main actors would be a nice touch as well. All of the other highly rated mini-series from the '70s, '80s and '90s have been released on DVD; what is the holdup on this one? I am amazed at some of the lousy television shows which are released on DVD, yet no RMPM. I managed to tape the show when the old Family Channel showed it ten years ago (to commemorate the 20th anniversary!). When I watch it I am impressed with how it has held up over the years. The acting was good, the story was solid. They took a good book by Irwin Shaw, made some changes and improved it. This is a great mini-series and it should definitely be shared with a new generation.