1976 Called ... and it wants this overly long soap opera miniseries back!!! No, we are not talking Winds Of War or War & Remembrance … which were also pretty soapy (Rhonda almost sunk the franchise) … they at least had ample historical context. Nor are we talking about Holocaust ... the best of all … but this one right here. Now at writing this has an 8.1 rating on IMDb. This IMHO reflects the nostalgic vote because having just seen the series for the first time I can tell you it's not that good. No I did not see this when I was 15 with my parents in the living room… nor did I read the book … nor was I part of the greatest generation … just a person accessing history through film. Now there are good things to say, especially Sam Waterson & Cliff Potts in the leads … more so the rest of the cast was quite solid (it is fun to have one of those "I remember her" moments like with Juliet Mills). And I do like the theme of disgusting politics and self-promotion at the expense of others … in war time. My biggest problem remains the sappy soap … which was needed to attract big audiences … over the course of many nights … to offset the great expense of the production. It just made this show way too long. I guess it all comes down to what you like … a little soap with your history or a little history with you soap? I go prior all the time … history is juicy enough. 6 of 10

Sam Elliot and Cliff Potts give a pair of outstanding performances in this TV mini-series Once An Eagle. Well at least one of them is an eagle, the other is a turkey in eagle feathers.The story begins during World War I when enlisted man Sam Elliot receives a battlefield commission and decides to stay in the army as a career. During the war he and West Point graduate Cliff Potts keep running up against each other.Ever since West Point was founded in the Jefferson administration those who graduated from that school always had a leg up in terms of career advancement over even other military schools let alone against people like Elliot who rose from the ranks. But if you're a guy who saw no combat in World War I and was strictly a staff officer your best option is intra-service politics at which Potts is a master. He rises ahead of Elliot in the Twenties and Thirties and has a couple of grades above him while Elliot trained troops to do the fighting.If I was in the military I sure would like to have someone like Sam Elliot leading me. This was probably one of his best roles in his long career. He's not without flaws, but he's the one I would like to share a foxhole with if I was so unfortunate ever to have to be in one.Potts is his polar opposite he's a scheming creep who cares nothing, but for his own advancement. Fortunately West Point doesn't turn out people like him as a rule. He even married the daughter of a US Senator to advance his career. And Amy Irving as his wife is terrific as a tragically unhappy woman. Their marriage has issues.Elliot in turn married the daughter of his commander Glenn Ford played by Darleen Carr who turns in a fine performance of her own. She's not an army brat by any means, in fact Elliot's dedication to his career separates the two of them from each other and their son Andrew Stevens.This is a fine mini-series showing a realistic portrayal of the professional army and the men who serve and the women who wait with anxiety and trepidation. As good as the principal players are, the one who really got to me in this series was Kario Salem who played a young man of racially mixed heritage who can't find peace anywhere he goes. He will break your heart I guarantee.A really fine mini-series with some stand out acting.

I am working to bring Once An Eagle, the absolutely outstanding television miniseries, to the market after a 30+ year absence. Please visit my website www.once-an-eagle.com and leave your email message at "give us the miniseries" in the right-hand column. It will be consolidated and sent to NBC Universal as I am in touch with the appropriate executives. You will find plenty of other interesting information as well on the novel on which the miniseries was based, on the author Anton Myrer and much more. You can also see what numerous other miniseries fans have had to say. Site also includes the most comprehensive "Film Credits" on the internet and a reverse script of the miniseries. Let's make release of the miniseries a reality! NEW: go to www.youtube.com/onceaneagleguy to see miniseries excerpts.

I saw Once An Eagle at the time this Mini Series was broadcast in late 76 and early 77. I was in the military at that time and could see how some of the characters in the film were quite similar to actual members of the military which I had worked for and with during my time in the service. I believe it was the best film concerning the military which I have ever seen. I retired from the military in 1977 and have many memories of over twenty four years of service. Although it has been over thirty years since I saw Once An Eagle, I have never forgotten it and wish it had been broadcast again, after I had a VCR, so I could have recorded it. Recently I have searched the internet, trying to find a copy of this excellent Mini Series, with no luck. I am not the only one whom wishes it would be broadcast again or at least be put out on a DVD. If it were available, I would certainly buy more than one copy as there are people whom I would like to give a copy to so they could also see this excellent film.