8 /10 1 Votes
7.6/10 TV Country of origin United States | 8.4/10 IMDb Genre Drama Initial release 1 February 1976 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Directed by Bill BixbyDavid GreeneBoris Sagal Starring Peter StraussNick NolteSusan BlakelyEdward AsnerDorothy McGuireRobert Reed Cast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rich Man, Poor Man is a 1976 American television miniseries based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Irwin Shaw that aired on ABC in one- or two-hour episodes mostly on Monday nights over seven weeks, beginning February 1. It was produced by Universal Television and was the second time programming of this nature had been attempted. The first TV miniseries, QB VII, had aired — also on ABC — in 1974. These projects proved to be a critical and ratings success and were the forerunner for similar projects based on literary works, such as Roots and Shōgun. The film stars Peter Strauss, Nick Nolte and Susan Blakely.
Contents
It spawned the sequel Rich Man, Poor Man Book II, which aired from September 1976 through March 1977. The network repeated the original series Tuesday nights at 9:00pm from May to June 1977.
Overview
Based on the best-selling 1969 novel by Irwin Shaw, it spanned the period from 1945 through the late 1960s and followed the divergent career courses of the impoverished German American Jordache brothers. Rudy (Peter Strauss) was the titular rich man, a well-educated and very ambitious entrepreneur who triumphed over his background and constructed a corporate and political empire. Poor man Tom (Nick Nolte) was a rebel who eventually turned to boxing to support himself. Axel and Mary were their parents, and Julie Prescott was Rudy's lifelong sweetheart who eventually married him.
Later, another important character appears, the dangerous and eccentric Falconetti, lifelong nemesis of the Jordache Brothers, who is intent on killing them.
While the first series spans a twenty year period between 1945 and 1965, the second series begins in 1968. The series became a huge success in the countries that aired it.
Awards and nominations
Emmy Award wins
Emmy Award nominations
Golden Globe wins
Golden Globe nominations
DVD release
On September 28, 2010, A&E Home Video released Rich Man, Poor Man: The Complete Collection on Region 1 DVD in the United States.