Stars mean ratings, and for the first of three parts of this beautiful to look at historical epic, there are plenty to point out. Beneath that beard as a gregarious hard drinking tavern owner is Lloyd Bridges, and one of Charlie's angels, Jaclyn Smith, is instantly recognizable as the pretty Sally Cary, George's first love. Scottish nobleman Lord Fairfax is veteran British actor Trevor Howard, a relative of George's best friend, George William Fairfax, who would end up marrying Sally. James Mason as a British general makes an impression, while Patty Duke as Martha (then married to another man) makes her entrance more half way through this 2 1/2 hour episode.
George is played by Barry Bostwick, a far cry from his role of Danny in Broadway's "Grease". Oscar winner Jose Ferrer, Anthony Zerbe With the number of stars popping up and the gimmick of that casting, no one really has thr chance to do anything truly remarkable but look far too clean and ham it up a bit. Rosemary Murphy, as George's imperious mother, is a whole dining table filled with ham.
The lighthearted atmosphere doesn't seem to reflect the true state of affairs during the colonial days and tensions with England, although it is entertaining. The encounter with two natives starts off tense, but it's a simple laugh that results in the two Georges befriending them, based on a simple rip in the trousers. The comedy bits start far too early and when the serious moments of history (such as tensions leading to the French and Indian War) finally erupt, it's an awkward change in mood that seems more appropriate for musical comedy than for a serious TV mini-series. At times, I nearly expected a laugh track. No mention of cherry trees or wooden teeth, at least not yet.
George is played by Barry Bostwick, a far cry from his role of Danny in Broadway's "Grease". Oscar winner Jose Ferrer, Anthony Zerbe With the number of stars popping up and the gimmick of that casting, no one really has thr chance to do anything truly remarkable but look far too clean and ham it up a bit. Rosemary Murphy, as George's imperious mother, is a whole dining table filled with ham.
The lighthearted atmosphere doesn't seem to reflect the true state of affairs during the colonial days and tensions with England, although it is entertaining. The encounter with two natives starts off tense, but it's a simple laugh that results in the two Georges befriending them, based on a simple rip in the trousers. The comedy bits start far too early and when the serious moments of history (such as tensions leading to the French and Indian War) finally erupt, it's an awkward change in mood that seems more appropriate for musical comedy than for a serious TV mini-series. At times, I nearly expected a laugh track. No mention of cherry trees or wooden teeth, at least not yet.
