The blue and the grey was my fav from when I first saw it in 1986 in 4th grade. Since it came out in 82, this must’ve been one of the re-airings they had. It gave me my love of the Civil War, and American history in general. The characters, battle scenes, melodramatic 80s acting, the costumes, I loved it all. Eventually I rented the 2 tape VHS from blockbuster, and since we had 2 vcr’s, I was able to make my own copy. I literally rented it prob 20 times, and just kept watching it over and over. Still get a little choked up in the scene at Vicksburg , where the two brothers meet on the battlefield during a quick cease fire, makes me think of my brother and our differences. While it has elements of revisionist history (Stacy Keach’s character is there for every major historical event during that 5 years), it’s still very good overall and still holds up today. Glad to see this getting some attention, always thought it was way better than North and south, and totally gets overlooked because of that mini series. Def enjoyed this list, thanks for putting it together.
Same here Joel. I still watch it at least once a year. Amazing casting, little cheesey at times but I loved it. I always get teary eyed at the Geyser Hill battle. Lloyd Bridges and Colleen Dewhurst did an amazing job as with all the cast.
although not really from the 80s, but it spanned the 80s was CENTENNIAL with a plethora of moviestars, like Richard Chamberlain 😁 Barbara Carerra, Robert Conrad, Lynn Redgrave, Sharon Gless, and so many more, too much to sum them all up such a big and elite cast could not be assembled in a miniseries today
@@Andy28-m6e yes Andy, same here, all the olders stories are great,the modern times are only a fraction of the series, making it almost unnoticable, one thing is certain, they cant make something like that anymore with that variety of big cast, cheers mate
Centennial kept me glued enough to go into living history. The sci-fi can go. Centennial is another chamberlain exiliant performance as the Scottish Mckeag. Mountain man
"North and South" was absolutely epic and mesmerizing! Of course, I had a major crush on Patrick Swayze even before this one, but that Southern accent... And I absolutely maintain that Kirstie Alley (may she RIP) never got the respect she deserved as a dramatic actress. Even her online obits focused on her as a comedic actress but she was fantastic as Virgilia Hazard. The cast of supporting characters is nothing short of a list of Hollywood royalty: Elizabeth Taylor, Robert Mitchum, Hal Holbrook, just to name three. As much as I loved "The Blue and The Gray"--and it deserved all the accolades and, if it had any kind of leg up on "North and South", it was because noted Civil War historian, Bruce Catton, contributed so much to the story--"North and South" will always be my favorite!
V and The Blue and The Gray were 2 of my favorite miniseries. The North and The South and Roots were favorites as well. I really thought Master of the Game would be on this list but oh well
10. Shogun - saw it, loved it 9. The Thorn Birds - never saw it. It seemed like a night time soap, and I hated those. 8. North and South - never saw this. I don't know why, I like historical stuff a lot. 7. The Winds of War - never heard of it 6. V - saw them all, loved it. But I love Sci-Fi. 5. Lonesome Dove - I love westerns and anything Robert Duvall is in. 4. The Blue and the Gray - I don't recall seeing any of these. 3. Masada - saw it. I wouldn't say I loved it, but it certainly had an effect on me. And Peter O'toole was so damn good! 2. Rich Man, Poor Man - never saw it. Another night time soap-like thing. 1. Roots - saw them all. Excellent and well deserving of the top spot.
North & South is fun and soapy but Blue & The Gray is absolutely the best. It tells a wonderful story through of a family on both sides of the war and covers the war as if you're on the campaign. The characters are fantastic and the uncut version is best one to watch. Winds of War and War and Remembrance and ones I watch about every year.
No argument here, The Blue and the Grey above North and South. Amazing cast and very underated. Same with V. Very underated today. Most people a few years younger than me have never heard of either. Along with Lonesome Dove, these would be my top 3.
Loved Richard Chamberlin! If you want to see a young Kate Mulgrew and Pierce Brosnan, what "The Manions of America". His Irish accent shines through. I was happy to see that he was actually Irish when Remington Steele came out. :)
My favorite mini-series is “Once an Eagle” (1976-1977) (Pilot, plus 7 episodes). Yes, it’s the 70s but since you broke your own standard by using “Roots” (1977), and “Rich Man Poor Man” (1976) I think it will fit in the list. A story of the professional and private lives of two Army officers, Court Massengale an incompetent schemer who doesn't care about his men, and Sam Damon, a heroic and caring leader from World War I to the end of World War II. Stars Sam Elliott (mostly sans mustache) as Sam, Cliff Potts as Court, Darlene Carr as Tommy Caldwell (Sam's love interest), Amy Irving as Emily Pawlfrey (Court's politically influential beard), and a bunch of other Hollywood heavyweights at the time.
Well since my upbringing was mostly in 80s, my mom was into westerns, so Lonesome Dove was right there. As for me now, it'd be The Thornbirds, Shogun, V, and Rich Man, Poor Man. I would replace Roots with Shaka Zulu though, it might not have been as influential as Roots was but it WAS in the 80s. It lasted for 10 episodes, based off the novel by Joshua Sinclair and oddly enough, part of its funding was through Harmony Gold (same people who had the anime series, Macross, prisoner for many years). I can say that I'm one of the few who never cared for Roots or Shaka Zulu. It just never grabbed to seeing slavery as being entertaining to watch. Never liked it then, still don't like it now. I do prefer the rest of that list though, cause one thing I can agree with was the 80s had more realism with their shows, they were entertaining in their own right and on top of that, they just gave you a gut punch that you wouldn't forget as long as you lived. Whereas now, mostly anything is brainrot. I don't mind binge watching, but I don't want to spoil myself on a good thing.
I probably watched all of those mini-series, but the ONLY one I want to watch over and over again is Lonesome Dove. I just finished re-reading the book (I think it was the 5th re-read!).
I watched a lot of TV back in the 80's. I was busy having babies and a husband who worked 2nd shift, so.... I watched all of these series. I wasn't crazy about V. Science fiction wasn't my thing. The Thorn Birds was so bitter sweet. North and South, historical. Roots, awakining me to the horrors of slavery, gritty, and brutal. Shōgun, who didn't have a crush on Chamberlain? Can't wait to get into the 2000's. The Hatfields and McCoys, yeah, good TV. Funny, but i haven't watched network TV in over 2 years now. 😮
Mostly agree with your list. Never saw Rich Man Poor Man so can't comment on that one. I was not a fan of V which seemed like a rehash of various sci-fi themes and stories and the acting just didn't do much for me. Otherwise, here is my ranking... 10. Thorn Birds 9. Masada 8. North & South 7. George Washington (1984) 6. Lonesome Dove 5. Shogun 4. Blue & Gray 3. Roots 2. War & Remembrance 1. Winds of War
Good call. I didn't see it, but having later read the book and seen the 1955 film, it's clear that this epic novel needed to be made into a mini-series.
I was born in 1969 and I don't even remember most of these why because we were kids of the 80s we were latchkey kids we didn't watch TV we played outside we were generation X
I was born in 1969 too and I've seen most of these because they were on at NIGHT not during the day DUH I'm not sure what kind of parents you had that allowed you to be playing outside at 9 or 10 at night, on a school night no less but my brothers and I had to be inside by 8 at night, except in the summer and 99% of these miniseries were shown in the dead of winter or during the school season
@@timebong8366 my dad was an alcoholic too and my mom was his enabler, so my home life sucked too. They still knew where my brothers and I were at all times and made sure we were in the house by 8 every night. TV was my escape from the bullsh*t so I've seen almost all of these
The Australian miniseries The dismissal, the last 4:504:50 bastion, bodyline, Anzac’s, return to Eden and true believers should be looked at as they were better than
It's totally Criminal that The George Washington Miniseries isn't on the list the greatest portrayal of America's Father of the County portrayed by Barry Bostwick totally ridiculous not saying it should be #1 and i have no idea what should be knocked off as ive only seen the Civil War ones but thats my opinion the George Washington Miniseries from 1984 and the Sequel George Washington Forging a Nation from 1986
It started as a mini series and then was picked up as a series. Unfortunately the Gulf War kicked off and all the news footage messed with the viewing and it got cancelled.
Terrible list. V above Shogun and North and South... You gotta be kidding. #1 Roots #2 North and South #3 Shogun #4 Lonesome Dove #5 Thornbirds #6 Noble House #7 Return to Treasure Island #8 Winds of War #9 Space #10 Poor little rich Girl Honorable mention because from the 70s: Holocaust
"The thorn birds" is the quintessential mini series of the 80s... 💯
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
"Lonesome Dove" was by far the best of the 80's and still ranks as one of the best of all time. Perfect casting, great story, and incredible scenery.
I will second that. Probably the best Western of all time.
Lonesome Dove was brilliant! Could never get enough.
The blue and the grey was my fav from when I first saw it in 1986 in 4th grade. Since it came out in 82, this must’ve been one of the re-airings they had. It gave me my love of the Civil War, and American history in general. The characters, battle scenes, melodramatic 80s acting, the costumes, I loved it all. Eventually I rented the 2 tape VHS from blockbuster, and since we had 2 vcr’s, I was able to make my own copy. I literally rented it prob 20 times, and just kept watching it over and over. Still get a little choked up in the scene at Vicksburg , where the two brothers meet on the battlefield during a quick cease fire, makes me think of my brother and our differences. While it has elements of revisionist history (Stacy Keach’s character is there for every major historical event during that 5 years), it’s still very good overall and still holds up today. Glad to see this getting some attention, always thought it was way better than North and south, and totally gets overlooked because of that mini series. Def enjoyed this list, thanks for putting it together.
Same here Joel. I still watch it at least once a year. Amazing casting, little cheesey at times but I loved it. I always get teary eyed at the Geyser Hill battle. Lloyd Bridges and Colleen Dewhurst did an amazing job as with all the cast.
My favorite is Lonesome Dove, great cast. Good roles for Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall
although not really from the 80s, but it spanned the 80s was CENTENNIAL with a plethora of moviestars, like Richard Chamberlain 😁
Barbara Carerra, Robert Conrad, Lynn Redgrave, Sharon Gless, and so many more, too much to sum them all up
such a big and elite cast could not be assembled in a miniseries today
My favorite
Really like it except for the last episodes that took place in the modern times with Andy Griffith.
@@Andy28-m6e yes Andy, same here, all the olders stories are great,the modern times are only a fraction of the series, making it almost unnoticable, one thing is certain, they cant make something like that anymore with that variety of big cast, cheers mate
Centennial kept me glued enough to go into living history. The sci-fi can go.
Centennial is another chamberlain exiliant performance as the Scottish Mckeag.
Mountain man
I was born in January 1977 and my dad still brings up that when they had to go to the hospital for my mom to have me, he had to miss Roots.
Tell you dad to get over it. Lol.
My first son was born in 1977 as well, but he behaved himself and stayed in the oven until November.
"North and South" was absolutely epic and mesmerizing! Of course, I had a major crush on Patrick Swayze even before this one, but that Southern accent... And I absolutely maintain that Kirstie Alley (may she RIP) never got the respect she deserved as a dramatic actress. Even her online obits focused on her as a comedic actress but she was fantastic as Virgilia Hazard. The cast of supporting characters is nothing short of a list of Hollywood royalty: Elizabeth Taylor, Robert Mitchum, Hal Holbrook, just to name three. As much as I loved "The Blue and The Gray"--and it deserved all the accolades and, if it had any kind of leg up on "North and South", it was because noted Civil War historian, Bruce Catton, contributed so much to the story--"North and South" will always be my favorite!
Another excellent one that came out in 1981 is Masada starring Peter O’Toole and Peter Strauss. 4 episodes and the final siege battle was fantastic.
Shogun is number one.
Richard Chamberlin was my crush!! And my oldest son is named Dane!!😂😂❤❤
For me the best mini-series of the 1980s was Edge of Darkness.
I absolutely loved the list!
“A Woman Of Substance” was my favourite mini-series.
The miniseries you have forgot to put up there, it's called Holocaust from the 1970s.
V and The Blue and The Gray were 2 of my favorite miniseries. The North and The South and Roots were favorites as well. I really thought Master of the Game would be on this list but oh well
With network TV dying, it has been several years since we have had a true mini series!!!!! Also, 80s was just an awesome decade!!!!
Most of what is available on streaming are miniseries.
10. Shogun - saw it, loved it
9. The Thorn Birds - never saw it. It seemed like a night time soap, and I hated those.
8. North and South - never saw this. I don't know why, I like historical stuff a lot.
7. The Winds of War - never heard of it
6. V - saw them all, loved it. But I love Sci-Fi.
5. Lonesome Dove - I love westerns and anything Robert Duvall is in.
4. The Blue and the Gray - I don't recall seeing any of these.
3. Masada - saw it. I wouldn't say I loved it, but it certainly had an effect on me. And Peter O'toole was so damn good!
2. Rich Man, Poor Man - never saw it. Another night time soap-like thing.
1. Roots - saw them all. Excellent and well deserving of the top spot.
North & South is fun and soapy but Blue & The Gray is absolutely the best. It tells a wonderful story through of a family on both sides of the war and covers the war as if you're on the campaign. The characters are fantastic and the uncut version is best one to watch. Winds of War and War and Remembrance and ones I watch about every year.
No argument here, The Blue and the Grey above North and South. Amazing cast and very underated. Same with V. Very underated today. Most people a few years younger than me have never heard of either. Along with Lonesome Dove, these would be my top 3.
Loved Richard Chamberlin! If you want to see a young Kate Mulgrew and Pierce Brosnan, what "The Manions of America". His Irish accent shines through. I was happy to see that he was actually Irish when Remington Steele came out. :)
Loved North and South and The Winds of War!
My three favorites on this list are: Lonesome Dove 🕊, North and South, and The Blue and the Gray ❤❤❤
I loved Shogun the original so much I read the book and almost all of Cavell books. I watched Thorn Birds.
Blue and the Grey my second favorite... Remember watching it in school then making my mom buy it on whs lol
I still watch WINDS OF WAR and WAR and REMEMBRANCE today. Just as good as it ever was. I also watched ROOTS. The rest---didn’t waste my time.
The Thorn Birds is and always will be my favorite.... I read the book too but the miniseries was perfect.... I even named my daughter after Meghan
My favorite mini-series is “Once an Eagle” (1976-1977) (Pilot, plus 7 episodes). Yes, it’s the 70s but since you broke your own standard by using “Roots” (1977), and “Rich Man Poor Man” (1976) I think it will fit in the list. A story of the professional and private lives of two Army officers, Court Massengale an incompetent schemer who doesn't care about his men, and Sam Damon, a heroic and caring leader from World War I to the end of World War II. Stars Sam Elliott (mostly sans mustache) as Sam, Cliff Potts as Court, Darlene Carr as Tommy Caldwell (Sam's love interest), Amy Irving as Emily Pawlfrey (Court's politically influential beard), and a bunch of other Hollywood heavyweights at the time.
...... I probably am alone, but enjoyed "Fresno" very much.
Well since my upbringing was mostly in 80s, my mom was into westerns, so Lonesome Dove was right there. As for me now, it'd be The Thornbirds, Shogun, V, and Rich Man, Poor Man. I would replace Roots with Shaka Zulu though, it might not have been as influential as Roots was but it WAS in the 80s. It lasted for 10 episodes, based off the novel by Joshua Sinclair and oddly enough, part of its funding was through Harmony Gold (same people who had the anime series, Macross, prisoner for many years). I can say that I'm one of the few who never cared for Roots or Shaka Zulu. It just never grabbed to seeing slavery as being entertaining to watch. Never liked it then, still don't like it now. I do prefer the rest of that list though, cause one thing I can agree with was the 80s had more realism with their shows, they were entertaining in their own right and on top of that, they just gave you a gut punch that you wouldn't forget as long as you lived. Whereas now, mostly anything is brainrot. I don't mind binge watching, but I don't want to spoil myself on a good thing.
shaka zuilu was made during aparthid.
I probably watched all of those mini-series, but the ONLY one I want to watch over and over again is Lonesome Dove. I just finished re-reading the book (I think it was the 5th re-read!).
I watched a lot of TV back in the 80's. I was busy having babies and a husband who worked 2nd shift, so....
I watched all of these series. I wasn't crazy about V. Science fiction wasn't my thing. The Thorn Birds was so bitter sweet. North and South, historical. Roots, awakining me to the horrors of slavery, gritty, and brutal. Shōgun, who didn't have a crush on Chamberlain?
Can't wait to get into the 2000's. The Hatfields and McCoys, yeah, good TV.
Funny, but i haven't watched network TV in over 2 years now. 😮
Mostly agree with your list. Never saw Rich Man Poor Man so can't comment on that one. I was not a fan of V which seemed like a rehash of various sci-fi themes and stories and the acting just didn't do much for me. Otherwise, here is my ranking...
10. Thorn Birds
9. Masada
8. North & South
7. George Washington (1984)
6. Lonesome Dove
5. Shogun
4. Blue & Gray
3. Roots
2. War & Remembrance
1. Winds of War
ALL WE GET ARE REMAKES NOW. SO LOVED THE MINIS. NORTH AND SOUTH AND THORN BIRDS WERE MY FAVORITES.
Shogun should have been higher on the list!
How can Shogun be 10???? It could and should easily be 1, 2 or 3 at the lowest!
I liked "East of Eden," which gave Jane Seymour's career a boost.
Good call. I didn't see it, but having later read the book and seen the 1955 film, it's clear that this epic novel needed to be made into a mini-series.
I was born in 1969 and I don't even remember most of these why because we were kids of the 80s we were latchkey kids we didn't watch TV we played outside we were generation X
100% true me to 1968
@busch6538 😊🫡👍🏼
I was born in 1969 too and I've seen most of these because they were on at NIGHT not during the day DUH I'm not sure what kind of parents you had that allowed you to be playing outside at 9 or 10 at night, on a school night no less but my brothers and I had to be inside by 8 at night, except in the summer and 99% of these miniseries were shown in the dead of winter or during the school season
@angel196989 well my mom was a raging alcoholic and my dad was either gone for work or in jail.
@@timebong8366 my dad was an alcoholic too and my mom was his enabler, so my home life sucked too. They still knew where my brothers and I were at all times and made sure we were in the house by 8 every night. TV was my escape from the bullsh*t so I've seen almost all of these
The Australian miniseries The dismissal, the last 4:50 4:50 bastion, bodyline, Anzac’s, return to Eden and true believers should be looked at as they were better than
I remember V that one was good
Big fan of " Centenial" except for the last few episodes.
"Once an Eagle"
My favorite as well.
Is this a re upload?
I believe Rich man, Poor man was in the 70s as well.
Jesus of Nazareth, Centennial (again, Richard Chamberlain) and War and Remembrance
OMG - you missed my favorite -- Shaka Zulu.
It was better than all the others, including Roots and Lonesome Dove.
North and South that theme song
Loved V.
Centennial best miniseries ever
I loved 'V'.
The ONLY one I watched was, "V". Didn't watch any of the other ones.
You forgot "Reilly: Ace of Spies."
Alex Haley did lie about Kunta Kimte being his relative.
So basically, this list is the opposite of what it should be.
But still, 7 episodes did not do the Winds of War justice. You need to read the whole thing. Both winds of war and war and remembrance
You entirely missed the point about V, it was an allegory about how the Nazis came into power
It's totally Criminal that The George Washington Miniseries isn't on the list the greatest portrayal of America's Father of the County portrayed by Barry Bostwick totally ridiculous not saying it should be #1 and i have no idea what should be knocked off as ive only seen the Civil War ones but thats my opinion the George Washington Miniseries from 1984 and the Sequel George Washington Forging a Nation from 1986
Jesus of Nazareth
I loved the original Shogun growing up but I have to say I prefer the remake from FX channel!
Chiefs
shak zulu chirstpher lee.,
The one miniseries that you can't leave out was in the early 90s. The Dark Shadows reboot.
It started as a mini series and then was picked up as a series. Unfortunately the Gulf War kicked off and all the news footage messed with the viewing and it got cancelled.
Too bad Roots was pure fiction.
You mean the rest weren't? If you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you.
Dornenvögel
Terrible list. V above Shogun and North and South... You gotta be kidding.
#1 Roots
#2 North and South
#3 Shogun
#4 Lonesome Dove
#5 Thornbirds
#6 Noble House
#7 Return to Treasure Island
#8 Winds of War
#9 Space
#10 Poor little rich Girl
Honorable mention because from the 70s: Holocaust
Watch.v.with.my.mom.my.sister❤
I purchased my first Betamax to record Shogun. I read the book before so I knew it would be good.
You entirely missed the point about V, it was an allegory about how the Nazis came into power