Product Description

Part I: Faye and Ward Thayer live through enough ups and downs for several lifetimes. A whirlwind courtship leads to a comfortable life fueled by Ward’s family fortune. But as the fortune vanishes, Ward’s drinking and cheating compel Faye to throw him out. Faye builds a film directing career and later takes on an unlikely partner: Ward, now reformed. But the strain of raising their four rebellious children threatens to split the marriage again. Part II: The Thayer children face the challenges of the tumultuous 1970s: Vietnam, drugs, dropping out and more. Thanks to a part in her parents’ film, Valerie makes the transition from low-budget film actress to rising star. Lionel rediscovers a friend from the past, while Anne’s affair with a friend’s father leads to a large family of her own. During a heartwarming weekend surrounded by family, Faye’s extraordinary life comes to a close.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33701 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-02-07
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 240 minutes

Customer Reviews

The Jewel in Danielle Steel's Crown
I'm thrilled that Danielle Steel's: Family Album, is finally available on dvd in the U.S.

You will share in the emotions of this family's struggle to remain together through many of lifes obstacles.

A terrific movie with sentiment that stays with you....
I first saw this movie when I was in high school and it came out on NBC about eleven years ago - it was absolutely mesmerizing and has stayed with me all these years later. While it differed slightly from the book, which I later read, the passionate plot and subplots were pretty similar in both, and Michael Ontkean and Jacqueline Smith are superb in bringing the story of Ward and Faye Thayer to life.

I'd actually tried to purchase the DVD about a year or so ago from an e-Bay seller living in the UK, where it's been available, and it never arrived, so I am excited it's FINALLY coming out on DVD in the U.S. I just can't speak highly enough about it!

Ok...I guess.
Just an FYI for those who have never seen this movie. The couple meet during WWII and fall in love. She is a movie star and soon becomes a director. Her husband is a serial adulterer and the ridiculous part is that she keeps taking him back even though she knows what he is like. The movie spans their life together including their children. One son, the favorite, is killed. The second son is gay and has to deal with his parents' disapproval. The oldest daughter is so desperate to make her mark in the movies, that she will play the sluttest parts imaginable to do it. It is only when her parents give her a chance as a strong, lead character in one of their movies that she begins to believe in her talent. (She also clashes with her co-star..you fill in the blanks.) Lastly, there is the youngest daughter. She runs away when she is in her early teens and comes home, pregnant. Her parents convince her that giving the baby up for adoption is the only solution. She deals with her resentment and falls in love with one of her best friend's father. (At least 30 yrs older than her.)
Like I said, it's an Ok movie, but not one of Danielle Steel's best. I would highly recommend DS's Palomino, Message From Nam, or Once in a Lifetime.