In 2022, after 37 years, this series is still watchable and can hold one's interest. Gets clichéd at points but still was overall very enjoyable. However, peter Strauss was terrible in his role as Abel. His fake Polish accent was a monstrosity. He made expressions and faces like a clown. I guess in those days such histrionics was considered good acting? But in 2022 its intolerable. On the other hand Sam Neill was superb in his role as always. Anyway, I enjoyed the show 37 years after it was made, thats something.
13 Reviews
Perfect except Peter Strauss' terrible acting
Quantum20203 April 2021
Pete Strauss makes Abel a character living on the broadway stage, over dramatic body language and speaking way. Can't belieive he is capable of giving speech lessons. Though his look at his 40s is ok, too old for his 20s. I wish it's the Russian captain actor acting the character of Abel.
especially the music kept me looking at it
zegmaarmajesteit19 August 2000
It must be more than ten years ago that I saw this mini-series. Probably a period that I loved very dramatic films and books. But I can never forget this series. It was film so 'smooth' and 'rich' and especially the music was dramatic. I'm really curious what I would experience if I would see it these days. It's funny that the bible-borrowed title of the series announces that the clash between Kane and Abel will be very dramatic. That's very smart of the creators, I think.
kane and Abel
eddyrademacher5 February 2005
i first saw this in 1992 and was amazed how this series captured what can happen in real life. the past few years i have tried to get a copy of it with out much luck till recently, it cost me a lot but it will always take pride of place in my movie collection.I think the combination of Sam Neil and Peter Strauss was in part the making of this mini series, they are both fine actors and played their parts to perfection, my partner would not have even considered watching something like this normally but sat through it because i had raved about it for so long and when it had finished he had tears in his eyes and said DAM BRILLIANT,he enjoyed it, and was glad that he had taken the time to watch it.
Download Copy
jmanuku7 November 2006
The last time I watched this movie was ten years ago. I have been trying since then to watch it again, but i could not get a copy. Thats why why joined this website in order to watch this movie again, so How do I get to download this movie into my PC. I have been trying and trying very hard to look and searching for this movie for a long time, but I could not find it. I was searching in the inter net when suddenly I saw it and then your website came up, so I decided to log in and sign in as a member. I want to thank your website for answering my prayer because I finally has found the movie I have been looking for, so please once again could your kind office send information on how I can download or get a copy of this movie into my PC. I will be waiting for your reply. Thankk you.
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Trying to find volume 3 on VHS or volume 1/2/3 on DVD
whallj26 April 2005
I seen the mini series when aired on British TV and i enjoyed it very much.
Sam Neill was brilliant as William Lowell Kane my mother would have to disagree as she liked Peter Strauss as Abel Rosnovski as she had a soft spot for him as an actor.
I have now bought volume 1 & 2 on VHS.
But i can not find the volume 3on VHS any where if anyone knows where i can obtain it i would love to hear from you.
I would also like to find the 3 volumes on DVD also.
As the videos are for my mum who also loved the mini series.
And watch it once again.
Sam Neill was brilliant as William Lowell Kane my mother would have to disagree as she liked Peter Strauss as Abel Rosnovski as she had a soft spot for him as an actor.
I have now bought volume 1 & 2 on VHS.
But i can not find the volume 3on VHS any where if anyone knows where i can obtain it i would love to hear from you.
I would also like to find the 3 volumes on DVD also.
As the videos are for my mum who also loved the mini series.
And watch it once again.
A disappointing effort
matlock223 September 2000
This movie is at best a mediocre mini-series. It oftentimes leaves major holes in the plot. For instance, we never see William and Kate get married or have children, and suddenly they have a 12 year old son at St. Paul's. You never realize that many years have passed before Abel and Zaphia are divorced, but it only takes one scene for the movie to do it. Very few characters are really in line with how Archer's book portrays them. The only accurate portrayal in this movie was that of Davis Leroy. Fred Gywnn nailed that part the way Bob Vila nails studs together. Overall though, the film is a disappointing show.
clear, decent and truthful
tally718 June 2000
The title of this mini series probably fooled a lot of people - Kane and Abel - as suppose to - Cain and Abel. It was one of the best mini series I've seen on TV. Very good acting on the part of Strauss, Neill, Silver, Dukes & Fred Gwynne. I really enjoyed and appreciated the role of Davis LeRoy, it wasn't just his character, his voice captivated me, it was sad that he had to exit out the way he did and so quickly. This picture was so good, that I could watch it over and over again, without getting bored. To watch Strauss's incline and Neill's decline was something else, with Dukes in the midst thereof, he was a dirty ole' rascal, but we all know to well that, " What goes around, comes around " and then like Emeril say, " Bammm " ! I would love for it to return to TV once again and I do hope that it'll be soon, like I said, " I can watch it over and over again without getting bored " . Not only did the actors I mentioned above did a fantastic job, but the whole entire cast was great, hope to see you all on TV again real soon. By the way, why isn't that mini series on video ? That's all I have to say for now, thanks.
Tally 7
Tally 7
PARODY OF A GOOD BOOK
fionastaun21 December 2021
If you take on one of the most successful books ever, there's not much room to mess up. However, this un-even mock-up manages to fall at the first hurdle.
Peter Strauss and Sam Neil fail to portray the two ruthless Financial American giants created by Jeffery Archer. These two are the solid underpinning of the entire story. Yet they can't just can't capture them.
Sam Neiil mostly looks ready to burst into tears. Or uses two other facial expressions - a rather perfunctory smile and an attempt to look serious with a clamped jaw. Acts like a carrot and looks like puffed wheat.
Strauss completely left Archers' well-shaped character character somewhere on a boat. After a while his rigid accent grates as he attempts to mouth a tormented soul.
But if you missed the book, there's enough juicy story lines to carry you through.
As a huge bonus, the visuals are fabulous! Sail away in luxury and furs. Rumble along in magnificent cars.
But don't expect much heavy metal clash of Titans. Such a pity.
Peter Strauss and Sam Neil fail to portray the two ruthless Financial American giants created by Jeffery Archer. These two are the solid underpinning of the entire story. Yet they can't just can't capture them.
Sam Neiil mostly looks ready to burst into tears. Or uses two other facial expressions - a rather perfunctory smile and an attempt to look serious with a clamped jaw. Acts like a carrot and looks like puffed wheat.
Strauss completely left Archers' well-shaped character character somewhere on a boat. After a while his rigid accent grates as he attempts to mouth a tormented soul.
But if you missed the book, there's enough juicy story lines to carry you through.
As a huge bonus, the visuals are fabulous! Sail away in luxury and furs. Rumble along in magnificent cars.
But don't expect much heavy metal clash of Titans. Such a pity.
It wasn't the book, but very good.
icreeem3 March 2008
I have read and re-read this masterpiece of a novel many times in the last twenty years. My Mom gave me the book when I was recuperating from a bad car wreck, knowing that I would enjoy a novel that mixed actual world history in the storyline. Living in Lowell, Massachusetts and knowing Boston very well it was entertaining to see such familiar names and landmarks mentioned. Abel's early life in German-occupied Poland was more fascinating. When the miniseries came around I had to see it. Good casting and acting...that is about it, I felt I had an advantage over the casual viewer, having such intimate and detailed knowledge of the book. I could not help but silently critique it, but in the end I felt it was a very entertaining effort and enjoyed it. It was worth the watching, although the reading was better. Isn't it always that way, and rarely vice-versa? I give it a 7-plus out of ten.
slice from a period
Vincentiu6 August 2014
a Biblical suggestion. great cast. clever script. and a long battle between two men each with his way. a legendary series who seduce again and again. not only for acting or story but for special care to create its atmosphere. a film about success and self - definition who impose Peter Strauss and Sam Neail in two powerful roles. and the science to explore each detail of character, the air of 1980 years, the music, the dialogs, the costumes, the mark of different societies and the inspired direction are keys for an admirable work who use the drama nuances and the soap - opera tricks, who impose the dream as possibility and transforms the rules of fairy tale. a film about a competition. or a kind of war.memorable scenes and nice memories.
How to best spend a Sunday afternoon!!
ttaskmaster9 July 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I found myself torn between which of the title characters to root for.
My personal tastes (and the fact that I love Peter Strauss's work) had me going for Abel, the man who had endured and built his empire up from nothing, only to be further battered by a bureaucrat.
But there were moments when I switched, despising Abel for stooping so low and wronging people without just cause, instead really feeling for Kane and the problems he unfairly now struggled with.
And so it goes throughout the story - You're never sure who deserves to win, while all the time hoping they will resolve their issues and become the powerful friends they could so clearly be.
The conclusion is inevitable and can be seen coming a mile off, but that is the point - YOU know how this will end, but so engaging are the characters that you pray for a plot twist or surprise that will change things!!
Sam Neil and Pete Strauss are phenomenal actors in their own right. Putting the two together in this was sheer genius!!
Both of them took on awkward accents and delivered them faultlessly. I made a point of checking in with some friends from Boston and my Polish co-workers. All agree that the accents are very authentic and flawless.
Strauss's accent in particular begins to take on subtle hints of American, as he spends more time in his new land. He also has amazing continuity, as he is never seen without the Baron's silver bracelet of authority. Any time his sleeve, accidentally or otherwise, rides up high enough you will see the glinting silver band.
Better still is the stark contrast between Abel's honest and outwardly expressive personality and Kane's quiet and dignified internalisation. Both men are shrewd, yet so very different in their methods.
The supporting cast also do a fantastic job. So often in a series like this, there are those who simply cannot act (or more often, they overact) and frequently spoil scenes - Not so in Kane & Abel!! The viewer is drawn in to identify with these as well, from their family and friends, to their colleagues, everyone stands out.
One most important thing to note is that this mini-series is based on a novel. One of the same name, by Jeffrey Archer, in point of fact.
That being, it should be noted that TV version is rarely the same as the book - Many things just do not and can never translate from page to film. Timing, pace, cinematography, interpretation, budget and many other things mean that things will differ betwixt the two.
That said, Kane & Abel is a phenomenal series.
It remains sufficiently faithful to the novel to engage the viewer and deliver the story in all it's glory. There are very few minor plot points excluded and none that are crucial to the tale. Others are easily implied or given enough attention for viewers to get the full background. The story itself is realistic enough that I suspect there is some factual basis.
My personal tastes (and the fact that I love Peter Strauss's work) had me going for Abel, the man who had endured and built his empire up from nothing, only to be further battered by a bureaucrat.
But there were moments when I switched, despising Abel for stooping so low and wronging people without just cause, instead really feeling for Kane and the problems he unfairly now struggled with.
And so it goes throughout the story - You're never sure who deserves to win, while all the time hoping they will resolve their issues and become the powerful friends they could so clearly be.
The conclusion is inevitable and can be seen coming a mile off, but that is the point - YOU know how this will end, but so engaging are the characters that you pray for a plot twist or surprise that will change things!!
Sam Neil and Pete Strauss are phenomenal actors in their own right. Putting the two together in this was sheer genius!!
Both of them took on awkward accents and delivered them faultlessly. I made a point of checking in with some friends from Boston and my Polish co-workers. All agree that the accents are very authentic and flawless.
Strauss's accent in particular begins to take on subtle hints of American, as he spends more time in his new land. He also has amazing continuity, as he is never seen without the Baron's silver bracelet of authority. Any time his sleeve, accidentally or otherwise, rides up high enough you will see the glinting silver band.
Better still is the stark contrast between Abel's honest and outwardly expressive personality and Kane's quiet and dignified internalisation. Both men are shrewd, yet so very different in their methods.
The supporting cast also do a fantastic job. So often in a series like this, there are those who simply cannot act (or more often, they overact) and frequently spoil scenes - Not so in Kane & Abel!! The viewer is drawn in to identify with these as well, from their family and friends, to their colleagues, everyone stands out.
One most important thing to note is that this mini-series is based on a novel. One of the same name, by Jeffrey Archer, in point of fact.
That being, it should be noted that TV version is rarely the same as the book - Many things just do not and can never translate from page to film. Timing, pace, cinematography, interpretation, budget and many other things mean that things will differ betwixt the two.
That said, Kane & Abel is a phenomenal series.
It remains sufficiently faithful to the novel to engage the viewer and deliver the story in all it's glory. There are very few minor plot points excluded and none that are crucial to the tale. Others are easily implied or given enough attention for viewers to get the full background. The story itself is realistic enough that I suspect there is some factual basis.
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