The Winds of War (1983)

An engrossing, 1983 television miniseries based on a bestselling work of historical fiction by Herman Wouk, The Winds of War is an admirable production reminiscent of the era of Hollywood's epic features. At the center of the globe-trotting story is the Henry family, whose laconic but straight-shooting patriarch is United States Navy Commander Victor "Pug" Henry (Robert Mitchum), sent to Hitler's Berlin in the spring of 1939 as a naval attaché to the then-neutral American embassy. A keen observer, Pug deduces that Germany is not preparing for war on two fronts (western Europe on one side, Russia on the other) despite what the Nazis want the world to believe, meaning that Hitler must be working out a secret peace deal with Stalin. Pug's prescience makes him a favorite eyewitness in Berlin for Franklin D. Roosevelt (Ralph Bellamy); the irony is that Pug is far less sagacious when it comes to the realities of his family.

Polly Bergen plays unhappy wife Rhoda, who turns to A-bomb developer Palmer Kirby (Peter Graves) for comfort. Pug's 19-year-old daughter, Madeline (Lisa Eilbacher), defies her iron-willed dad's decision that she stay in school by taking a job for CBS radio in New York. Compliant son Warren (Ben Murphy) can't seem to get Pug's attention despite doing everything right (including becoming a Navy pilot, eventually present at the bombing of Pearl Harbor). By contrast, Pug spends more time fuming over black sheep son Byron (Jan-Michael Vincent), who is working in increasingly Fascist Italy as an assistant to an art historian (John Houseman) while trying hard to woo the latter's exasperating niece, Natalie (Ali MacGraw). The story of Byron and Natalie takes up much of The Winds of War as the pair traverse Poland during the shock of Hitler's 1939 assault, and Jewish Natalie later finds herself trapped inside Italy facing the threat of concentration camps. Before The Winds of War ends, each of these characters will end up in places and situations, and with historical figures (Churchill, Mussolini) as well as ordinary people, they would not have anticipated outside the pressures of war. The program's length and smart script allow for a lot of ideas and background detail that pull a viewer in--happily. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

Winds of War

Very good serie about a US naval family during the pre war days of 1939-1941. Also very informative about the outbreak of WW2 August 27, 2008

A tremendous mini-series

This is a wonderfully engrossing mini-series. I know there are some complaints about the ages of the actors but the romance is very captivating. Great performances all around. Highly recommended. July 28, 2008

Best Mini-Series Ever~Fantastic~Edge of your seat all the time.

I never saw this when it was on TV. I just bought the set and it is FANTASTIC. It is constantly exciting. It is a war story and there is some fighting and bombing but it is not constant gore. I love it because it is about a family and everything they go thru.

There is romance, intrigue, mystery. I did a marathon watching of the whole thing because I am sick has been a great way to stay in bed when you have to.

I know I will be watching this many times over it is that good. Will go on the all times favorite list. I like wwii movies only if they are not all fighting. This one is not.
This tells how one Navy family made it thru. July 25, 2008

Best of the best

I had wanted this item for quite a while.When it arrived soon as possable i sat down to watch it. I am very pleaset with this item,and will purchase other items in the future. Thank you.

George W.Wolcott June 14, 2008

Refreshing......compared to today's movies !!

I saw The Winds of War on TV in the 80's and I liked it. I watched it again in 2008 and I liked it even more. I continued to love the relationship between Jan-Michael and Ali Macgraw.
He is great looking and looks like he comes form a military family. He plays the quiet type with a sarcastic sense of humor. Ali plays a very intelligent Jewish girl..... a few years older than Jan-Michael. At first, I thought her acting was terrible......but she kind of grows on you and now I don't think anyone could have played the part better. The chemistry between these two was very good......Jan-Michael played his part very well and the looks they give each other...well.. I was convinced they loved each other!!!!
The cinematography and the casting was great! Hitler & Roosevelt were very believable. Robert Mitchum's character was rather dull but he played the strong, quiet military guy. Besides the romance in this movie, the W.W.II story and the history was told in a clear, concise manner.
I loved this movie. It was both a romance and a war story. On top of this, none of the scenes were embarrassing to the point where I had to turn the channel...a couple of great love scenes but nothing as revealing as you see in today's stuff.
Great dialogue and they managed it without the "f" word. Very little profanity.....how refreshing !!! Loved this movie! Kathy May 30, 2008

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