Shoesforindustry I'm in the favorable camp here. I notice the reviews seem to be largely either/or; people looking for something Tom Clancy in nature have another film with Sam Neill playing a Russian they can view anytime on HBO. Neill, it seems to me, was the unsung hero of this; his character and Armin Mueller-Stahl's provided plenty of balance to the premise of the film itself. What a great cast! I hadn't caught Christine Lahti in anything since seeing Housekeeping 10 years ago, she deserved the awards they gave for this. The other big surprise was Dorian Harewood, I went nuts trying to figure out where I'd seen him before: He was Eightball in Full Metal Jacket. He really pulls out the stops here.Spoilers: A little bit more back story would've helped. The only hint of how the Soviets took over was through a breakdown in communications, according to the Sam Neill character. The book apparently explains this as a massive EMP attack, using high altitude nuclear blasts to destroy electronic equipment across the nation - including the wiring in nuclear silos, which are supposed to be immune from EMP. Or perhaps the president couldn't do the deed. Or couldn't get in touch with them anymore. That wouldn't effect the subs, though. Don Wrye I suppose wasn't interested in going into all these details, but it leaves you scratching your head a bit. Would lack of spine/character bring down a whole nation? As it happens, I did enjoy the very enigmatic ending, even though it might be a bit treacly or unrealistic. O'Neill's character we think will let America get back on its feet - what about those Party bosses back in Moscow who had to be convinced that it was better to just murder all of Congress rather than nuke three cities?

Feydd2001 I loved this epic movie because it showed the possibility of hostile takeover and the reality (more or less) of that fear. Although it deals with Russians taking over America, it could certainly be Iraq or Iran or North Korea or any hostile force in opposition with America and Democracy for all... It is certainly a real possibility in this day and age that terrorism in many forms, fears, prejudices and hostile aggression towards America can come from within America itself. We are bound to take in those that wish to immigrate, which causes a serious threat to national security on the whole as this movie predicts. I think it is appropriate to air this show again or create a remake of this movie. I would love to have the opportunity to purchase this movie and a remake of this movie showing Iraq or an unmentioned Arab country posing the same threat to America.

DrShipman I never really understood why Kris Kristofferson never became a more mainstream star after this well done miniseries. Because if there was ever a star making role, it's this one! Here,Kristofferson gives a once in a lifetime performance that approaches James Brolin's finest work in the Television series 'Hotel'. This is a show( series really) that every good American must watch!

Brad Miller I came across a copy of this 12 hour epic at my local library and sat down and watched some of the slowest footage in television history. The idea was good, even if it was implausible in 1987. The film would have had much more credibility if the time setting had been more at the peak of the Cold War. So, if you cast all that aside the movie is pretty good. But there are other drawbacks. The film takes place in 1997, ten years after the coup. They should have focused a little more on how the coup actually takes place. All they tell us is that the Soviets backed certain political candidates and then it was final. No blood shed. It features too many musical montages that take away from the film, particularly after the squatter camp has been attacked. Some characters are forgotten about or lose too much screen time. We only see Devin's youngest son one time after he meets him. And finally the film could have easily been shortened from 12 hours to 6 and not lost a thing. I guess after I've ripped the movie apart I still found time to enjoy it though. I give it a 7 out of 10.