This epic miniseries (running 26 hours), which originally aired in 1978, traces the history of a Colorado frontier town from the mid-1700s to the 1970s. Based on the novel by James Michener, the story focuses on a dozen characters, from Native Americans to mountain men to cavalry soldiers as they converge on the region.

Far from Wild West clichés, this excellent series focuses on exploring the real-life people who forged this country, from the heroic to the tragic. It stars Robert Conrad, Richard Crenna, Timothy Dalton and Andy Griffith.

Grade: A

Centennial: The Complete Series is currently available.