Jerry Ziegman Movies
The longest (26-1/2 hours), most expensive ($25 million) and most complicated (four directors, five producers, five cinematographers, almost 100 speaking parts, several hundred extras) project made for television up to that time, Centennial was shown in two- and three-hour installments over a period of four months. An adaptation of James Michener's best-selling novel, it told the story of the settling of the American West by looking at the founding of the fictional town of Centennial, Colorado, from the settling of the area in the late 18th century to the present. Emmy-nominated for film editing and art direction, it boasts of sterling performances from Richard Chamberlain as frontiersman Alexander McKeag, Robert Conrad as the French-Canadian trapper Pasquinel, and a surprisingly powerful performance from former football star Alex Karras as compassionate but iron-willed immigrant farmer Hans Brumbaugh. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Surrounded by the authorities after a bungled attempt to break through a police checkpoint, five terrorists take several people hostage. Unless they are given safe passage out of San Francisco, the terrorists will detonate a bomb, killing themselves and their prisoners. Making the situation personal for investigating detective Mike Stone (Karl Malden) is that one of the hostages is his own partner Steve Keller (Michael Douglas). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Richard Egan guest stars as waterfront priest Father Joe Scarne, who hinders a robbery investigation by refusing to reveal the whereabouts of the main suspect to Stone (Karl Malden) and Keller (Michael Douglas). An essential ingredient to the outcome of the case is a stolen crate of cobra venom which, unbeknownst to the Law, actually contains heroin. Oh, and one more thing: Father Scarne is himself a reformed drug addict. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In the first episode of a three-part story, President Grant (William Bryant) asks Jason (Chuck Connors) to find out the reason that maverick general George Armstrong Custer (Robert Lansing) has been making public attacks against the Grant adminstration's Indian policy. Outwardly, it seems that Custer is concerned only with the safety of the white settlers who have nested in the territory controlled by Chief Crazy Horse (Michael Pate). But as Jason soon learns to his chagrin, his former West Point comrade Custer has an ulterior motive that may result in wholesale slaughter. Excerpts from "Call to Glory" were later combined with scenes from two other Branded episodes, "Fill No Glass for Me" and "Now Join the Human Race", to form the direct-to-video "feature film" Blade Rider: Revenge of the Indian Nations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In the second episode of a three-part story, Presidential emissary Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) has managed to disuade his former West Point comrade General Custer (Robert Lansing) from sparking an Indian war to further his own political ambitions. Shortly thereafter, Chief Crazy Horse (Michael Pate) arrives in Washington to plead for peace and fair treatment of his people from General Sheridan (John Pickard). Alas, Sheridan's philosophy is that the only good Indian is a dead Indian--and this time, Jason may not be able to prevent a bloodbath. Excerpts from "Call to Glory" were later combined with scenes from two other Branded episodes, "Fill No Glass for Me" and "Now Join the Human Race", to form the direct-to-video "feature film" Blade Rider: Revenge of the Indian Nations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In the concluding episode of a three-part story, sinister forces have conspired against both General Custer (Robert Lansing) and Indian chief Crazy Horse (Michael Pate), making a final bloody confrontation at the Little Big Horn all but inevitable. Acting on behalf of President Grant, Jason McCord (Chuck Connors) has received evidence that Indian shaman Sitting Bull (Felix Locher) did not murder a crooked Indian agent as claimed. Racing against time, McCord hurries to convey this information to Custer--who has already gathered his 7th Cavalry for a rendezvous with destiny. Excerpts from "Call to Glory" were later combined with scenes from two other Branded episodes, "Fill No Glass for Me" and "Now Join the Human Race", to form the direct-to-video "feature film" Blade Rider: Revenge of the Indian Nations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Caught up in a confrontation with four drunken Comanches, Jason (Chuck Connors) kills three of his attackers, and cannot understand why the stranger whose life he has saved refused to fight. Then he discovers that the man is a Catholic priest named Father Durant (Jason Evers), and as such is foresworn never to take a human life. Both Jason and the Priest are subsequently captured by the dead Comanches' Chief (Joe DeSantis), who puts the men to a most unusual--and potentially fatal--test of courage. Featured in the cast as Wild Horse is Jay Silverheels, best known for his portrayal of Tonto on The Lone Ranger. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
This episode reunites Branded star Chuck Connors with Johnny Crawford, who from 1958 through 1963 had played Connors' son on the popular western series The Rifleman. With all of the menfolk out prospecting for silver, the town of Jefferson City has been left unguarded, save for callow young deputy sheriff Clay Holden (Crawford), a few old people and children, and a one-legged bartender (Richard Arlen). Enter a group of outlaws who kidnap Clay's young wife Karin (Charla Doherty) and order him to stay out of their way while they rob the town's bank. Riding into this tense situation, so-called coward Jason McCord (Connors) must teach young Holden the true meaning--and proper application--of courage under fire. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
While there are many people who hate accused coward Jason McCord (Chuck Connors), few are as vehement in that hatred as ranch owner Christina Adams (Kathryn Hays). Unfortunately for her, Christina needs Jason's testimony in a lawsuit to keep from losing her land. Will Jason do the "right thing", or has he at last come to the end of his patience for people who refuse to give him the benefit of the doubt concertning the battle of Bitter Creek? Featured in the cast as Thomas Teal is Bing Russell, the father of film star Kurt Russell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Pop singer Tommy Sands guest stars as Richard Bain, a young West Point cadet. Facing expulsion for defending Jason McCord's behavior at the Battle of Bitter Creek, Bain is given 30 days to recant his words--or face a dishonor and disgrace comparable to that suffered by McCord (Chuck Connors). As the story progresses, McCord must weigh the option of salvaging his own reputation by ruining Bain's. Prominent in the supporting cast is celebrated "film noir" veteran Marie Windsor ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
