Captains and the Kings (1976– )

Rags-to-riches tale of an Irish immigrant in late 1800s.

Stars:

Richard Jordan, Harvey Jason, Patty Duke

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Richard Jordan	...	Joseph Armagh (8 episodes, 1976)
Harvey Jason	...	Harry Zieff (8 episodes, 1976)
Patty Duke	...	Bernadette Hennessey Armagh (6 episodes, 1976)
Blair Brown	...	Elizabeth Healey Hennessey (6 episodes, 1976)
Robert Vaughn	...	Charles Desmond (6 episodes, 1976)
Perry King	...	Rory Armagh (4 episodes, 1976)
Katherine Crawford	...	Mary Armagh (4 episodes, 1976)
Jane Seymour	...	Marjorie Chisholm (4 episodes, 1976)
Bernard Behrens	...	Gentleman (4 episodes, 1976)
Cynthia Sikes	...	Claudia (4 episodes, 1976)
Charles Durning	...	Ed Healey (3 episodes, 1976)
David Huffman	...	Sean Armagh (3 episodes, 1976)
Terry Kiser	...	Courtney Wickersham (3 episodes, 1976)
Vic Morrow	...	Tom Hennessey (3 episodes, 1976)
Barbara Parkins	...	Martinique (3 episodes, 1976)
Joanna Pettet	...	Katherine Hennessey (3 episodes, 1976)
Doug Heyes Jr.	...	Kevin Armagh (3 episodes, 1976)
Jenny Sullivan	...	Honora Houlihan (3 episodes, 1976)
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Miss Emmy (3 episodes, 1976)
Peter Donat	...	Clair Montrose (2 episodes, 1976)
Henry Fonda	...	Sen. Enfield Bassett (2 episodes, 1976)
John Houseman	...	Judge Newell Chisholm (2 episodes, 1976)
Celeste Holm	...	Sister Angela (2 episodes, 1976)
Joe Kapp	...	Strickland (2 episodes, 1976)
Ann Dusenberry	...	Anne-Marie (2 episodes, 1976)
Rod Haase	...	Mace (2 episodes, 1976)
Charles H. Gray	...	Captain Calvin (2 episodes, 1976)
Charles O. Lynch	...	Hotel Clerk (2 episodes, 1976)
Roberta Storm	...	Mrs. Calvin (2 episodes, 1976)

Storyline

Joseph Armagh was a poor Irish immigrant who came to the United States in the mid-19th century, and proceeded, through struggle, heartache and hard work, to become one of the richest and most powerful men in the country. This nine-part miniseries details Armagh's path to success.

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Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Capitanes y los reyes

Filming Locations:

2421 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Roy Huggins-Public Arts Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

540 min 60 min (9 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Beverly D'Angelo's debut.

User Reviews

The Price of Fortune and Power

The comparison of the fictional Armaughs to the Kennedy clan can't be escaped. Still, this is a magnificent entertainment piece about an Irish immigrant who claws to the top of power and money (remindful of Joe Kennedy Sr.?)with the crown jewel being son Rory's bid to become the nation's first Irish Catholic president. "Captains and the Kings" is riveting from its beginning when a young Joseph Armaugh is left by his mother's death to care for two younger siblings and through the end where the elderly Joseph is left alone questioning the cost of his power and wealth. The late Richard Jordan is brilliant in presenting his Joseph as the scrapping improverished immigrant turned industrialist power broker but who, in the end, pays a horrible price. The mini-series also introduced us to Blair Brown as the daughter of Joseph's role model, and she manages to grab our empathy despite her being a mistress in Joseph's extra-marital pilferings. But, in a role that landed her a second Emmy, Patty Duke (Astin)is devastating as Joseph's wife in an arranged marriage who gradually is pushed by the price of power (and alcoholism) to insanity. There is a lesson in "Captains and the Kings," especially to those who hunger for more. As with all things, costs come, and the question is at what cost do we feed our hunger and our willingness to pay it.