Watch Centennial

TV-PG
1978
1 Season
8.3 (3,748)

Based on the book of the same name by James A. Michener, Centennial is an epic television series that was broadcasted on NBC from 1978-1979. The show aimed to take viewers through the journey of the American West, spanning centuries of history and featuring a vast and diverse cast of characters.

The series opens with the arrival of French fur traders in the Colorado wilderness in the late 18th century. Over the course of the next ten episodes, viewers follow the development of a small community in the present-day town of Centennial. The narrative is woven together through the lives of various characters, including ranchers, Native Americans, gold miners, and politicians, and explores themes of greed, power, and progress.

The series is anchored by a strong and accomplished cast, with Raymond Burr as the narrator and Barbara Carrera and Richard Chamberlain in leading roles. Carrera plays the part of Clay Basket, a young Arapaho woman who falls in love with Alexander McKeag (Chamberlain), a Scottish trapper who becomes one of the area's earliest settlers. Throughout the series, viewers are introduced to a wide range of characters, each with their own agenda and motivations.

As the show progresses, it traces the arrival of new settlers, the establishment of the first trading posts, and the conflicts between the different groups that emerged in the American West. There are clashes between white settlers and Native Americans, battles with outlaws and bandits, and political struggles over power and resources. The series addresses issues such as the impact of white settlement on Native American land, the exploitation of mineral resources, and the establishment of the cattle industry.

Despite its age, Centennial remains a well-respected piece of television history. The series is notable for its well-crafted storytelling, thoughtful writing, and sweeping cinematography - all of which helped establish it as one of the most ambitious TV projects of its time. Many of the scenes in the series were shot on location, giving viewers an immersive experience of the American West.

Overall, Centennial stands as a significant and memorable piece of television history, both for its scope and its cultural impact. With an all-star cast and a narrative that touches on so many aspects of Western history, it remains a must-watch for fans of historical drama and classic television.

Centennial is a series that ran for 1 seasons (12 episodes) between October 1, 1978 and on NBC

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Seasons

12. The Scream of Eagles

February 4, 1979

1978: Historian Professor Lew Vernor and writer Sidney Enderman arrive to do a article on Centennial. Paul Garrett, the current owner of the Venneford Ranch and a direct descendant of Pasquinel, tells them the history of the town. Morgan Wendell, son of Philip is running for the newly formed office of Commissioner of Resources and Priorities for the State of Colorado. When it is realized that Wendell is running only for the money and power, Garrett is persuaded to run against him.

11. The Winds of Death

February 3, 1979

Early 1900's, Mervin Wendell has become a real estate tycoon by selling promises on land that barely produces any growth to young naive families from the East. While Charlotte Lloyd takes up the Mexican residents' cause at defending their rights.

10. The Winds of Fortune

January 28, 1979

Charlotte Seccombe and Jim Lloyd fall in love, while Zendt's troubled daughter Clemma returns. The notorious Pettis gang arrive for a showdown with Sheriff Dumire. Hans Brumbaugh's Japanese laborers quit him to follow after their own dreams of owning their own farms.

9. The Crime

January 21, 1979

The Wendells easily con the people of Centennial, while blackmailing Reverend Holly. The Wendell son, Philip idolizes Sheriff Dumire, who is investegating the disappearance and possible murder of a traveling businessman, carrying a briefcase full of money. Newly widowed Charlotte Seccombe, returns to England briefly, but returns to run the Venneford Ranch. Meanwhile, Hans Brumbaugh, with the help of Japanese laborers has built his farm into a successful potatoe farm.

8. The Storm

January 14, 1979

Mervin Wendell, his wife Maude and son Philip, a theatrical / professional con man comes to Centennial. Jim Lloyd is in love with Levi Zendt's beautiful, but wild daughter Clemma and pursues her. Meanwhile, the British investors have sent Scottish accountant Finlay Perkin to the Venneford Ranch to do an audit. Not able to understand Seccombe's accounting or spendage of running a cattle ranch, he accuses him of thief.

7. The Shepherds

December 10, 1978

The late 1800's, Hans Brumbaugh leads the farmers in the war against the wealthy ranchers and cattlemen led by Oliver Seccombe. Messmore Garrett settles in Centennial with thousands of sheep and more competition against the cattlemen. The new sheriff, Dumire can't stop the fight from both sides. Charlotte Buckland, the daughter of one of the Venneford Ranch's British owners, arrives in America and falls in love with Seccombe.

6. The Longhorns

December 3, 1978

Representing a group of British investors, Oliver Seccombe arrives in Centennial with money to start a cattle ranch. He hires John Skimmerhorn to get some men and launch a large cattle drive to the West's largest cattle ranch, the Venneford. Skimmerhorn hires R.J. Poteet, an experienced trail boss, who picks a handful of seasoned drovers and young trail hands.

5. The Massacre

November 11, 1978

1861: War sweeps the country, the Civil War in the North and South, in the West the Pasquinel brothers, Jacques and Marcel are raiding and murdering soldiers and homesteaders. Colonel Frank Skimmerhorn, an officer in the Wyoming militia arrives in Centennial with intent on killing all Indians.

4. For as Long as the Water Flows

November 4, 1978

Driven by the grief over his wife's death, Levi boards himself up in the desolate cabin once used by McKeag and Pasquinel in their early trapping days. Clay Basket and McKeag soon send their daughter Lucinda to bring him to their home. Eventually, Levi and Lucinda fall in love and marry. Meanwhile, Hans Brumbaugh arrives from Germany to seek gold.

3. The Wagon and the Elephant

October 28, 1978

1845: In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, young Mennonite Levi Zendt heads out west with his bride-to-be Elly Zamm. On the wagon train and in St. Louis they meet young English writer Oliver Seccombe and Army Captain Maxwell Mercy - who is married to Lisette, Pasquinel's daughter. McKeag weds Clay Basket and adopts her half-breed daughter Lucinda. While on the wagon train, guide Samuel Purchase tries to rape Elly, causing Levi and Elly to leave it, meeting McKeag and later establish the settlement of the town Centennial.

2. The Yellow Apron

October 8, 1978

In spite of mounting tensions between the races, Pasquinel, McKeag and the Indians continue a profitable releationship in trading. Clay Basket bears Pasquinel two sons, Jacques and Marcel, while back in St. Louis, Lise gives birth to Pasquinel's daughter, Lisette. Pasquinel continues his obsessive search for Lame Beaver's gold, while McKeag and Clay Basket are secretly in love with each other, but her honor in marriage to Pasquinel won't allow her to reveal it to McKeag.

1. Only the Rocks Live Forever

October 1, 1978

A fiesty Quebec trapper meets Arapaho Chief Lame Beaver in his travels throughout the American West. Thus beginning a series of relationships that create a timeline of adventures from the late 1700's to the 20th century. On a trip to St. Louis to sell his wares, he encounters the wealthy silversmith Herman Bockweiss (Raymond Burr) and enters a partnership with him to bring guns and silver to the Indians. He agrees to marry Bockweiss' daughter Lise (Sally Kellerman) and leaves shortly thereafter to return to his trapping trade. He encounters and saves the life of his future partner, Alexander McKeag (Richard Chamberlain), a Scotsman attempting to escape his past. They make their way to an Arapaho camp where McKeag, who has been injured, is tended by Chief Lame Beaver's daughter, Clay Basket (Barbara Carrera). They fall in love, but she instead marries Pasquinel at her father's request. Accompanied by Clay Basket, the partners set out in search of Pasquinel's true desire - gold.

Description

Where to Watch Centennial

Centennial is available for streaming on the NBC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Centennial on demand at Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Starz.