Rich Man, Poor Man: The Complete Collection

Rich Man Poor Man was a great miniseries, for the time. However, I now find the quality of the filming very poor, and the acting minimal. Also, watching segments made for TV was better suited for this cut. Finally, I looked for months for a version to play on my DVD player. I finally gave up, and ordered a “multi country” DVD player. When the RMPM DVD arrived, it was able to play on my DVD. The business that sold me the new DVD player would not allow me to return it. Expensive movie, huh.
Rating: 1 / 5

Why is this title not available in the U.S.A?
Rating: 5 / 5

I was very disappointed with my product. I specifically called to see how many tapes would be in the set and if it included the whole RMPM series. I was told it was a “complete set” and it absolutely was not. I immediately notified the seller and was told I’d have to wait the standard time frame before submitting my return, which I did. But I have yet to get a response, clarification or return instructions. Again, I’m very disappointed. I’m not one who conducts business over the internet and this is a prime example why.
Rating: 1 / 5

I bought this as a Christmas present for my son. He loved this mini series and has always wanted it. He was thrilled and the vhs boxes were in wonderful condition as were the tapes. It was a great present.
Rating: 5 / 5

Ever since the advent of DVD people have been hopeful that someday “Rich Man, Poor Man” would makes it way to the home DVD market. Well, the wait is finally over: on September, 28, 2010 “Rich Man, Poor Man” makes its debut on DVD, not only for the fans who remember watching the min-series on television back in the seventies, but for a whole new generation of viewers who can enjoy the series for posterity.

It was actually Fred Silverman, the then president of ABC, who green lit “Rich Man, Poor Man”, TV’s first min-series (many give that claim to “Roots”, but “Rich Man, Poor Man” aired in February 1976, a full year before “Roots”). The series (based on the 1970 Irwin Allen novel) originally aired every Tuesday night, for a total of 12 consequetive episodes before culminating with its finale, a first for this type of programming. The show was both a critical and ratings smash, and executives quickly ordered “Rich Man, Poor Man-Book 2″ for the fall of 1976. “Rich Man…” dealt with the German immigrant family named Jordache and the bulk of the series dramatized the lives of the two Jordache brothers Rudy and Tom. Both were polar opposites: Rudy was intelligent, college educated, and an entrepreneur, where as Tom was defiant and the rebel who turned to boxing to support himself. Julie was the girl with whom Rudy fell in love with.

“Rich Man, Poor Man” was pure soap opera, and was a forerunner to the big primetime serials of the 1980′s, showing TV executives that not only would viewers follow a continuous story during the daytime hours, but also during the evening. “Rich Man…” garnered several Emmy awards, including wins for its music (the opening theme, composed by Alex North, is still one of the most haunting themes in history), direction, and one for acting. The ensemble cast included Peter Strauss and Nick Nolte (in his first starring role) as the Jordache brothers Rudy and Tom, and Susan Blakely as Julie. Others in the cast included George Maharis, Van Johnson, Dorothy McGuire, Ed Asner (who received an Emmy), Robert Redd, and Dick Sargent.

This set includes all episodes from both the original “Rich Man, Poor Man” and its sequel and it comes on 9 dics. Bonuses include informative commentary with Peter Strauss and television historian David Bianculli.
Rating: 5 / 5