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18 out of 19 people found the following comment useful :-
A Great TV-series, 22 August 2000
9/10
Author: Jess Thomsen from Roskilde, Denmark

In my opinion the TV-series "How the West Was Won" is the greatest western ever made straight to TV. The cast is superb with James Arness (Zeb Macahan) in the lead and Bruce Boxleitner (Luke Macahan) co-starring.

I've now been watching all the episodes of this western on Swedish television for the third time (1978, 1989 and 2000). The quality of this series is how it's being able to get the grip of the viewer in such a fashion that not even a frontrunner like Gunsmoke can compete with "How the West Was Won".

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2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
Great western series, 16 April 2007
9/10
Author: ss2014 from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I thought this was a great series and wish they would air it again! It was a good family show, okay it had some shooting (It's the old west!) but overall it had good family values. It was about the trials and tribulations of a family traveling West from somewhere near the southeast after the Civil War. James Arness, played an Uncle from the West who escorts the family as they head to Oregon. As it turns out they end up living in various locations, during which time the family is put through many ups and downs before finally making it to Oregon. I think the show could have even continued on for at least a short time after they reached Oregon and settled down but unfortunately it ends when they make it to Oregon. Again, this is a great Western series and I wish it was replayed on one of the cable networks!

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4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
Blew me away, 12 January 2005
Author: grahamsj2 from SE US

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I've seen the original John Ford film by the same name and then this series and I found the series to be much better. It is, of course, MUCH longer, which allows for more story telling, more character development and a lot more depth than the original film could ever hope to achieve. But it is precisely that depth that makes this series so much better. This thing had a great cast, including James Arness, Bruce Boxleitner and Fionnula Flanagan. Other great actors and actresses made appearances in some of the episodes. The acting in this whole series is great by everyone. The Civil War also plays a huge role in this film. The story is gripping and will definitely keep the viewer interested - there are no "slow" places in this entire series. The screenplay was written by several writers but was seamlessly integrated. There are several emotional rollercoasters going at once with the family being torn apart and put back together a few times. Viewers just can't seem to tear themselves away. Movies of this caliber are rare and should you ever see this miniseries being run on TV, be sure to crank up your VCR and tape it. You'll want to see it again and again.

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Epic series!, 21 November 2009
9/10
Author: Cresta from Hälsingland, Sweden

This series is iconic for any Swede. Here in Sweden James Arness is not mostly known for "Gunsmoke" but for this series, for being Zeb Macahan with the whole Swedish people. Millions followed this series in Sweden when it was originally shown (which meant that literally _everyone_ in Sweden that had a TV back then watched this series). And in its later TV reruns (in the early 1990s and in 2005) it still scored extremely high ratings.. And rightfully so as this series is nothing but amazing! James Arness delivers a tour de force performance here in a truly iconic role as Zeb - legendary! Together with great camera work, great story lines, great score, and a lot of great actors in strong supporting roles as well in each episode; this is a classy and engaging series, full of heart, humanism and intelligence.

Finally this great series will now be released on DVD here in Sweden this month, and my heart is just jumping with joy! Zeb Macahan for Christmas, and the whole family together watching in front of the TV - can it get any better? (only if Santa joins in and watch with us too!). :)

A really epic series that, strangely, was not an equally big hit on TV in the US or the UK when it came along, as it instantly was in Europe, and, particularly in Scandinavia. Odd. This series is way better than "Gunsmoke" (and is the series that James Arness deserves - and should be - remembered for as an actor in his career). This series is soo good! This series is like way better than any series out there today.. of today.. of past days.. so; do not miss it!

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