Product Description

Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 10/18/2002

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-12-11
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2

Amazon.com
The miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream begins in the 1940s, when Joseph Jackson (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) and Katherine (Angela Bassett) meet and fall in love, and ends in the 1980s, when their sons reunite for the 1983 Victory Tour that brought them back together as the Jacksons. During the first part, "The Early Years," the couple starts a family, and although times are tough, Joseph still finds time to play music on the side. When he discovers that his sons have inherited the same talent, the Jackson 5 are born. They sign with Motown and start churning out the gold records. The second part, "The Success Years," begins in 1970 at the peak of their fame, but by 1976, the hits have started to dry up. If the acting is uneven and the story somewhat sanitized, Bassett is affecting, and the series includes Emmy-winning choreography and a combination of original and re-created material, ranging from "I Want You Back" (1969) to Michael Jackson's "Beat It" (from 1982's multi-platinum Thriller). --Kathleen C. Fennessy

From the Back Cover
Based on the inspiring and true story of the First Family of music, The Jacksons: An American Dream is an epic account spanning five decades--beginning with the family's rise from a Midwestern steel town to the premier stages of the world. The Jacksons is a hit-studded triumph with an all-star cast including Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Angela Bassett, Jason Weaver, Jermaine Jackson II, Holly Robinson, and special appearances by Billy Dee Williams and Vanessa Williams as Suzanne de Passe. Featuring music from the Jackson 5, Boyz II Men, Jermaine Jackson & Syreeta Wright and Jason Weaver.

Customer Reviews

Has its faults, but still manages to hold your attention
"The Jacksons - An American Dream" was very enjoyable to watch, although those of us who grew up with the Jackson 5 know that there was a LOT left out and several inaccuracies in the script. But perhaps the things that were hinted at or weren't mentioned at all in the movie is what made the biggest impression. It isn't necessary to get into all of the scenarios that were missed, but I will say this movie did well to give you a very general understanding of just what Michael, Marlon, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie, and later on, Randy Jackson went through on the road to fame and during the height of their popularity. IMO, the reason Papa Joe Jackson (played excellently by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) worked his kids so hard is because he himself was an unsuccessful musician, and wanted a better future for them. Now I absolutely do not condone the harsh methods he used to discipline his children - but I do understand it.

Now on to the movie...The beginning, which concentates on the life of the young Katherine growing up in Chicago, drags a bit. But it's after the kids are born when the story starts to get interesting. Angela Bassett is effective in her role as the family matriarch, Katherine Jackson, but I've seen Angela in much stronger roles and being cast as the long-suffering wife of Joe Jackson didn't really suit her. But given the material she had to work with, she did a fine job.

The rest of the cast was alright - worth noting are Billy Dee Williams as Motown founder Berry Gordy; Vanessa L. Williams as Berry's protege Suzanne dePasse; Bumper Robinson and Terence Howard, who both played oldest brother Jackie but at different ages; and the son of the real Jermaine Jackson, Jermaine II, playing his father as a teenager - however, who had the horrendous idea of casting Holly Robinson as Diana Ross?! Ugh. She was totally unconvincing and almost laughable. The kids, who were mostly unknowns, were pretty much on point, especially the talented Jason Weaver as the pre-teen Michael (he gives a dead-on performance in this role); the late Wylie Draper, who played the adult Michael; and the actor who portrayed the adult Jermaine, Colin Steele. Their performances were among the best in the film.

I would like to address a couple of remarks that some previous reviewers brought up: WHEN was it implied that Joe Jackson was having an affair with Suzanne dePasse? That must be something I missed, because nothing like that was ever even hinted at. Joe did have a mistress, but it was NOT Ms. dePasse. Also, this was supposed to be the story of the Jackson 5, NOT Janet or Latoya Jackson, so this is why they were barely mentioned...and that suited me just fine. Overall, this is a good film to sit back and enjoy on a Sunday afternoon, although there were parts that were a bit corny, like the constant mention of getting to California being the measure of success in Joe and Katherine's eyes. But Jackson fans are sure to love it and will definitely want to make it part of their collection.

The Jackson's - The American Dream
This movie.... is the movie for all ages. My kids love it. When I first saw this movie I fell in love with it. I had tape both parts had it for years, then it got lost. I took it over to someon's house and they could never find it. I've always tried to tape it again but never had the opportunity to do so. Evey character is this movie was casted well. I was not disappointed at no time. This movie is a classic, and all Black Americans should have this movie in their homes. I would like to get my hand on the video for purchase, but every-where I go says that it's not availible. Why?, I do not know. This movie should be in high demand. Why doesn't the publisher make more availible to us. Why is it that this particular video is hard to get a hold of? If anyone out there, publisher, someone that has knowledge to how I could get a hold to this video, please let me know. I would really appreciate it. I've been looking off and on for about 3years, so if you know anything please e-mail me with the information.

Not that bad, but not worth losing sleep over
The Jackson Five (circa late 60s/early 70s) was arguably the best group to come out of Motown, and this video, originally an ABC miniseries, attempts to chronicle the life and times of one of the most talented and most dysfunctional families in show business.

One of the film's strongest points is its treatment of the patriarch Joseph Jackson, played by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. Often characterized as a monster in real life (especially by daughter LaToya), Joseph seems more realistic here as the stern father determined to see his sons realize the dream of musical success he was never able to achieve. While some of his actions seem cruel (like not allowing the boys to attend sister Rebbie's wedding because they had a gig), some are not that bad (like have the boys pile the bricks from frontyard to backyard).

It is sometime confusing, because each of the five members of the group (six, if you count Randy) are portrayed by 2 to 3 different actors as the characters age. Some are believable, excellent actors (like Bumper Robinson as the first Jackie), some are HORRIBLE actors (like whoever played Jermaine as he was leaving the group). But UNQUESTIONABLY, the best of all the brothers was Jason Weaver (who later starred in "Thea" and now plays Marcus on "Smart Guy"). He was the second Michael, the Michael from the "I Want You Back"/"ABC"/"I'll Be There" days. Weaver, who is a talenter singer and dancer in own right, makes you believe that he is an 11 year-old Michael Jackson, and the early Motown scenes seem to revolve around him; you can't wait for him to perform again, USING HIS OWN VOICE(!!!) in many of the scenes.

BEST SCENCE IN THE ENTIRE FILM: The Jackson 5 at the Apollo theater on Amateur Night, performing the Isley Brothers' "Twist and Shout". You'll be on your feet shouting!

But, having said all of that, the weak acting and flimsy script in the later scenes take a lot away from the film. Sadly, Angela Bassett is wasted in the role of mother Katherine Jackson (although she had done "Boyz N the Hood" at this point, this was LONG before "What's Love Got to Do With It" or "Waiting to Exhale", her two best roles) Additionally, someone had the silly idea of casting Holly Robinson Peete as Diana Ross, and Billy Dee Williams as Berry Gordy. While they are both great actors, they are miscast and sorely unbelievable in these roles.

Finally, how can you chronicle the tale of the Jackson FAMILY all the way into the late 80s without giving serious attention to JANET?? By this miniseries' release in 1992, both the "Control" and "Rhythm Nation 1814" albums had been released, and Janet was a MAJOR star whose fame was obviously the result of her talent and not her last name (unlike LaToya). Ignoring her detracts from the film's impact as the story of the FAMILY.

In a nutshell, if you're a big fan of the Jackson Five, especially the early years, you'll love it. But if you can only afford one miniseries about a Motown group, buy "The Temptations" instead.