How the West Was Won watch online HD

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".

How the west was won, was sendt on tv in Norway in they early eigthies. I'v never forgot it, and has waited and waited for a rerun, or that dvd's or vhs's should show up in the stores. Can't wait to see it again, but so far my wish has not come thru. I had like most of the girls in Norway, a hugh crush on Luke and Wolf Paw! And the week could'nt go fast enough, waiting for the next episode. My highest wish for the future is that the whole series will be released on dvd, so I can buy it and see it as much as i want to. And I know that many in Norway would agree with me, we never forgot the Macahans, and saturday night on tv has'nt been the same since!!!!!!!!!!

WE ALL LOVE THE MACAHANS, THE GREATEST WESTERNSERIES EVER MADE PLEASE RELEASE IT ON DVD OR VHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I remember watching this mini-series when it was first aired in the late 70's as a child. While I enjoyed the original tv movie THE MACAHAN'S" and the 78 & 79 mini-series which followed I still find the 77 mini-series to be the best one. I used to get goosebumps when I would hear the opening title song accompanied by William (Cannon) Conrad's narration.

First there is Zeb Macahan, a huge mountain man that does things as he sees fit. If it means standing against the Union Army or taking the law into his own hands he has got to be the coolest character on the show. I also was saddened when Zeb had to kill his trapper friend Cully Madigan to prevent him from being slain by Indians. I think my favorite line in the series comes from Zeb during the final moments of the series when Grey the bounty hunter is trying to take Luke to jail. Zeb, while under gun point by Grey, turns to him and says "Grey, I'm gonna lay hands on you and then it's gonna be all over!!" Nothing fazed this man.

Secondly I enjoyed the romance between Luke Macahan and Erika Hanks, the young lady that helped heal Luke's gunshot wound and hide him form his various pursuers. It unfolds in a believable way and the fate of their relationship will have the viewer near tears.

Lastly, the sets were all well done. It appears that most if not all the scenes were shot on location and not some studio back lot. I can only imagine what a visual treat it must have been like to work on the production of this mini-series.

I was luck enough to tape this series during the late 80's and still enjoy watching it at least once a year. Hopefully this mini-series and the other HTWWW series will find their way to DVD soon!!

This TV-series is/was truly excellent ! It is interesting, fun and exciting. The characters are all watch-able ; Zeb, Luke, Laura, Aunt Molly, Hillary and Mr.Beasley. :-) The actors all do a great job.

The main title (theme) is terrific and I wish somebody would post a link to somewhere on the web, where it can be obtained/purchased. I can only seem to find the soundtrack for the original movie (1963) and NOT the TV-mini (1978)...

I saw the show for the first time when I was 10 - so that doesn't count. :-) he he However, I saw it again last year and now that I'm thirty-something, I still think it's a tremendous show ! :-)

I recommend the show to anybody, although obviously some parts may be a little scary for small children.

All in all, one of the greatest (mini) TV-series ! :-)

This must be the best ever series made for TV. I have for years been looking for this to come on video or DVD, but with no luck in finding it as yet. I am not giving up hope, though, as I have just read that it is obviously very popular still. I watched it in Norway about 25 years ago when I was only about 14, but I still remember the series very clearly. I absolutely love it and hope that there will be a box set made with the entire collection of episodes from "The Macahans" and "How The West Was Won" and the films. It must be the best ever western series, with the actor James Arness as the perfect man for the job. All the actors are brilliant and really drags you into the story. A must have for all western fans all over the planet. Brilliant!!!

I agree with everyone else, excellent show. Considering some of the crap that they put on DVD, I am very disappointed that this mini-series is not available.

Best Mini-Series of all time in my opinion. I saw it 20 years ago and would buy it in a second if it came out on DVD. I just hope it wouldn't be like watching Billy Jack 15 years later. Oh....my....God, did I really think that was good the first time around? I was only a teenager when I first watched "The West" but my parents and my brothers all really enjoyed it too. We all thought it depicted the west how it really was, not as one of those phony westerns that are common to the big screen.

Few shows (mini-series) except for "Centennial" have depicted the gritty realism of the west as well as How The West Was Won. Jim Arness brought the character of Zeb Macahan to life / bigger, rougher and tougher than Matt Dillon could have ever hoped to be. I have the entire multi-season mini series, including the premiere movie, on 15 year old VHS tapes that are losing their quality. I wish the series would be released on DVD in a boxed set. Gunsmoke has been released, and considering some of the awful shows that HAVE been released I don't know why they don't. Does anyone know the status of this situation? I would like to find out who produced the series and perhaps recommend that there is a large audience out there for this kind of DVD release. Perhaps Jim Arness' website could help.

I have seen the whole show in 1977 in England at ITV. It was an excellent TV show and I had to cancel my appointments not to miss it. It has taken me 100 years back. Photography,and the saga was so interesting. I have been trying to get hold of video cassettes of the whole show. Can anybody assist me ? It was also on TV in 1978 20 hrs episodes, 11 x 2 episodes in 1979. Plus 3 hrs in 1976.

Happy New Year to Everybody

Mehmet

Even though I enjoyed the movie "How the West was Won" , this Mini Series was one of the best western theme movie/TV series I ever watched. My Family was in Okinawa during the late 1970's and by far, this was the most entertaining program on the Armed Forces Television in which the entire family enjoyed every time it showed. I have been trying and trying for years to purchase a copy of at least the original Pilot of the series but to no avail. The cast of characters and their interaction during the whole saga was just riveting to me. I have always likes James Arness as an actor and his portrayal of Zeb was one of a kind. The whole story of the family trekking across the west with such a wide variety of trials and tribulations depicted, to me, what many families could have encountered, but all encapsulated in this one family's pursuit of the Old West's "America Dream". Oh if someone could ever release this out in any video format, I would jump at the chance to get it or any portion of it.

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!

I feel sorry for those of you who missed the adventures of Zeb and his family. Zeb (Arness) is the greatest man ever walked the screen. Josh is the little boy who never got to do anything. He is getting slapped around of all different sorts of people.

Luke is the handsome longhaired young stud who travels the west, facing problems proving to be the nephew of Zeb. Laura is the kid sister who just loves everything and everyone.

Laura is the oldest sister whose eyes starts to glow every time a man passes the macahan ranch. She is every feminist worst nightmare, hence she characterais the beutiful but week woman who just waits for a man to fulfill her dreams.

In summary, this is the greatest show ever broadcasted. Here in sweden nightclubs were forced to close when macahans was aired. Everybody was sitting at home watching it at saturday nights. more than half the swedish population that is. Just order the tapes and enjoy.

This was one of my all time favourites. It is where I fell in love with Bruce.

The acting was suburb. The one scene that stands out for me was when Fiona was either being raped or sexually harassed. She had that look on her face that showed a multitude of emotions: fear, indignation (how dare you), and that she was flattered (thinking she was beyond the age that someone would think her attractive).

The other episode I remember was when Bruce's sister in the show was stung by a Bee and almost died. This was when I first realized that people could be allergic to Bee stings.

Why, Why is this not out on DVD yet? It is only 2 seasons. I'd love for it to also have plenty of interviews with Cast & crew. And to see how Bruce fell in love and married his first wife was interesting, considering they were brother & sister on the show.

Please bring this out on DVD soon.

A huge success here in Sweden when it was first televised, and has been shown over and over again on different TV channels here (including as recent as yesterday). For some reason it does not seem to be as well known in America as it is here in northern Europe. Among the things you will find are great acting, great characters, great script, great direction, excitement, emotions and humor. It is also educating as it tells the story of the situation in North America during the 1860s, etc. It also pays great respect to the native Americans, portraying them as generally fair and honest people trying to live in peace with nature.

How the west was Won is one of the best Westerns ever, if not the best. James Arness and Bruce Boxleiger were great in it. I even think it is the best acting that Arness did. Mini series of any kind are my favorites but this one is a must see. Even though I have not seen How The West Was Won since it was on TV in the seventies, I still remember how much I enjoyed it, and I looked forward to seeing the next installment. I wish that it was out to purchase, and I really don't understand why it is not. I have found someone who claims that they have all 25 discs but his price is to high for my pocketbook. If anyone would like the email address let me know. [email protected]

I was an extra in the first part of this series as a Russian soldier shooting buffalo, and doubled Cameron Mitchel as Coolly John. I even got to spend some time in make-up with Ricardo Mantalban. I got all the autographs, and had the time of my life. I have personal photos of Brian Keith, with Ricardo and many of the other stars. I was with them at the location shoot in Canon City Colorado. My problem is, I have not been able to find it on VHS or DVD since seeing the original broadcast many years ago. If anyone knows where I can find it, PLEASE write.

This has been a quest for almost 30 years. Jim Sellers [email protected]

"How the west was won" ( or "The Macahan's) is a western that I remember as truly first rate. In particular, the first episodes had great script and also great acting. After that, the two leading actors, James Arness and Bruce Boxleitner, carry the series on their shoulders as the perfect western heroes, the rough old trapper and the young handsome hero. James Arness entering a room, with his gun in hand, muttering in broad American English through his teeth "I'm Zeb Macahaaan!", that was an icon here in Sweden at the time, an icon on par with "Bond, James Bond".

The whole series starts off with a massive family tragedy. The Macahan's grandparents were left behind when the family left, so when they hear that the civil was has started, dad Macahan goes back to get them. But, he never comes back, so Luke (Boxleitner) also goes back. Alas, the grandparents are already dead, killed by accident as bystanders to a battle around/near their home, so the mission is a failure from the start. Both Luke and his father are enrolled in the army, and only Luke gets away alive, as deserter. The scene when he decides to defect is superb, a micro-battle between two very small groups of soldiers, fighting for nothing, and only Luke survives. I will never forget the face of the dying soldier boy, probably pierced by Luke's bayonet (I am not sure about this), begging for help, and then the shocked Luke looking at the dead boys, throwing his gun to the ground. Good acting to a good script!

This makes Luke an outlaw, which is one of the driving forces of the series from then on. The rest of the family is less important, except Zeb of course. I understand that it did not get very famous in the US, which is surprising.

But, I haven't seen it since I was a kid (which is why I give no rating). I wonder if it would still thrill me. Well, the equally good "Alias Smith & Jones" series does, so I think it would.

"HOW THE WEST WAS WON" Was first - to my knowledge - a Louis L'Amour story. Louis was a storyteller and novelist who started his career in the 1940's. He wrote simple stories for magazines. He did this until he learned to do more.

The 1962 movie is much more true to the novel.

That being said,. I Love the TV Series. Jim Arness, all 6 foot 4 of him, Bruce, the kid who learns his lessons and marries his co-star, the scene where Arness tosses his knife underhand in the bushes and sticks the bad guy in the belly...

How The West Was Won the TV series is much more Jerimiah Johnson with family obligations. It's great and I love it.

I hope you will all see both the 1962 movie, and the 1979 TV series. The movie is Louis L'Amour's novel. The TV series is a wonderful adaptation beyond that.

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.

I have looked and looked for a copy of this move for 3 years,.. I know who owns it even,.. I do not know why it is not on VHS/DVD.. I would love to own it If you know where I can get a copy,.. Please send me an e-mail.. I rate this movie a 10. best of westerens

I thought about buying this series until I started to watch it. James Arness is great as the old mountain man of the small clan of Macahan's that are the main plot line of this series. Without him I don't think I would have watched it. Eve Marie Saint's character is just to namby-pamby for that time period of our history in my opinion. She doesn't want any one killed but also doesn't see why her son should run just because he is chased by the law for desertion, whether right or wrong. Bruce Boxleitner is the son on the run and he is plus and minus acting his part. The two sisters, one is a dreaming socialite wanna be and the other is a down to earth common sense type. Indians show up as the usual protagonists and are beaten as usual. Jack Elam is excellent is his relatively brief role. He laughs as the Injuns are torturing him until Arness does a mercy (?) killing. There is a gunman who appears as honorable (as much as that time frame had honor) who is developing into a love interest for Saint. She is a 3 year widow since husband dear went and died in the Civil War. This death is conveniently witnessed by the oldest son. Eventually they will set out for Oregon, make it, well some will, and be successful in the end.