| Ellis Island | |
|---|---|
&sq=Google&lang=en&file=File:Ellis_Island_1984_VHS_cover.jpg) VHS cover | |
| Based on | Ellis Island by Fred Mustard Stewart |
| Written by | Fred M. Stewart Christopher Newman |
| Directed by | Jerry London |
| Starring | Peter Riegert Gregory Paul Martin Alice Krige Judi Bowker Faye Dunaway Richard Burton Kate Burton Ann Jillian Milo O'Shea Ben Vereen Melba Moore Emma Samms Stubby Kaye Cherie Lunghi Michael Byrne Liam Neeson |
| Theme music composer | John Addison |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 3 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Nick Gillott |
| Editors | John J. Dumas Bernard Gribble |
| Running time | 420 minutes |
| Production companies | Vista Films Ltd. Telepictures Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | November 11 – November 14, 1984 |
| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
Ellis Island is a television miniseries, broadcast in three parts in 1984 on the CBS television network. The screenplay was co-written by Fred Mustard Stewart, adapted from his 1983 novel of the same title.
The series tells the story of four immigrants to America, played by Peter Riegert as a Russian Jew, Gregory Paul Martin as a working-class Italian, and Alice Krige and Judi Bowker as two Irish sisters. It starts in 1907 as they manage to leave Europe and travel by boat to Ellis Island, hoping for a better life, and follows their individual struggles, hopes, and successes through the end of 1916, as they try to achieve the American Dream.[1] Ellis Island highlights a number of historic events in Europe and the U.S. throughout the time period,[1] and some of the characters involved are based on real persons, such as Irving Berlin.[2]
The series was the final screen appearance of Richard Burton.[3] It was dedicated to his memory, and the cast includes his daughter Kate Burton as his character's daughter.[1] Faye Dunaway won a Golden Globe award for her role in the miniseries, and Ben Vereen was nominated for his role.[4]
Originally seven hours long and telecast in three parts on three consecutive nights in November 1984, Ellis Island was shortened to six hours and re-telecast in three parts in the summer of 1986, to celebrate the Statue of Liberty Centennial.[3][2]
The miniseries features six Irving Berlin–style songs, composed by John Addison, with lyrics by Douglas Brayfield and Fred Mustard Stewart.[5]
- ^ a b c Leonard, John (November 19, 1984). "Take Back Your Tired, Your Poor". New York. pp. 64–66.
- ^ a b "Ellis Island". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ a b Review Summary. The New York Times.
- ^ IMDb - 1985 Golden Globe Awards
- ^ Vito, John De; Tropea, Frank (2010). Epic Television Miniseries: A Critical History. McFarland. ISBN 9780786457335.