slatercottage With a little looking you CAN find the DVD or VHS of "Once an Eagle". I bought one several months ago. First, it is NOT the best quality, but is "viewable. It was probably made off of film or an old video. Second, it is not cheap - in the $50-60 range.But it is definitely better than nothing. Do a Google search on "Once an Eagle" and you should find it. I found it on an auction website online (not eBay). I believe I offered $45 for a DVD set (3 DVDs) and it was accepted.I have been a long-time fan of the mini-series and Sam Elliot. This is without doubt one of his best roles.Good luck!

jimusmc55-1 The mini series, (and I wish it were available on DVD or VHS), was a compelling look at Army life as seen thru the eyes of it's hero, Sam Damon. It followed his career from buck private to General and was a very watchable movie. The series followed with great attention to detail, the novel it was adapted from, something that present day Hollywood rarely does. I have read and re-read the novel at least a dozen times and hope that it is released on VHS or DVD. Having spent over 20 years in the Military, I found that this mini series faithfully depicted Army life in all it's peculiar idiosyncrasies; from the hard charging career soldiers who served with compassion and caring, to those of lesser talents that were promoted due to Army Politics, regardless of their personal traits of bravery or compassion.

wuxmup Like other reviewers, I watched this miniseries way back when. I may have been older than most of the other reviewers at the time because I was less impressed. I do remember, though, that Sam Elliott was well chosen for the role of Damon; it's a shame that his performance isn't mentioned in either IMDb's Elliott biography or the quotation from Maltin.As miniseries go, "Once an Eagle" is a decent one, especially for its time, with competent actors, exotic locales, and the nearly unique-for-TV depiction of the 1918 A.E.F. on color film, but if you're looking for more than soap opera characters in G.I. dress, you may want to try elsewhere. Sam is the upright, stoic hero and Courtney is the cowardly, sleazy villain (you can tell by their names before the story begins). The series tracks their often intersecting and conflicting Regular Army careers over half a century, right into the Vietnam War. During most of that period, and unlike the majority of his fellow field-grade officers, Sam knows how history is going to turn out. Sam always does what's right, Courtney only what advances his career. And advance it he does. Never mind that he's transparently loathsome.The entire production has that TV "feel"--bright colors, blow-dried hair, familiar attitudes, overwrought confrontations, action carefully paced to lead up to the frequent commercial breaks. Today's viewers especially may be annoyed by such factors.Of course, we've seen the characters a thousand times before, and viewers never get tired of 'em. That's entertainment. But Winds of War is arguably the better series. You'll learn more about history, and if you're like me, you'll find the characters to be a little more interesting. The same goes for the novels the shows are based on. Each to his own!

overthemoon-2 This series was really great. The cast was wonderful and acting superb! I'm surprised it hasn't already been released! I agree with the comment made by the other fan that this mini-series is better than the "Winds of War." It is better!! This was filmed back in the '70s when the T.V. mini-series first came about and is one of the reasons that mini-series are still popular. To the "powers that be"----please release this to DVD so that those of us who have seen this series can be entertained again. Those who have yet to see it have a nice surprise awaiting them!! Thanks!