The Last Convertible (1979) User Reviews

hard to find on DVD

[moos-42759 · 8/10 · 31 July 2015]

Anyone who didn't find the DVD yet, and you wanna see this miniseries again, contact me and i'll make it happen !! Hubert from Belgium [e-mail] to make this review acceptable, i copy an earlier review (sorry):

Perry King, Edward Albert, John Shea and Bruce Boxleitner star in this TV-movie adaptation of Anton Myrer's novel, "The Last Convertible," which concerns friends in their college years, whose world is upset by WWII and even Deborah Raffin. When they meet her, they all fall in love with her. All of them. Some are more honorable in their intentions. I know my review won't be that original (I did read a few reviews - breaking my rule), but I wanted to add my two cents. I was 9 or 10 when I saw this in 1979 and I had fond memories of liking it, though I didn't have vivid memories of the actual movie. But it did make an impression on me. This had been on my to- find list for literally 20 years (DVD, people!) and I finally broke down and bought a DVD copy of it. I'm so glad I did. Now I see why I liked it so much. From the beginning and throughout the film, it captures that "world with rose-colored glasses" and what also makes it so special is that despite all the highs and lows and fights and turmoils between the friends and their wives, their inner circle was never broken. They retained a bond that never wavered and they always returned to their friends; they always spent time together. Even despite the fact Perry's character could be a jerk, they all seemed to find the best in each other. And, even though I spent money on a DVD copy, if "The Last Convertible" came out on an actual DVD next week (not likely), I would pay good money for it again. It felt like spending time with friends. I have not read the book, but I have read on websites that those who have read the book have read it almost every year and at the beach; it's great beach-reading material, they say. But those who did read the

Unforgettable. A The Way We Were film.

[roselane · 10/10 · 26 December 2005]

I have searched for this film 26 years. Saw it when I was 34 in 3 parts on TV and taped on my Betamax. Made a BIG mistake letting the tape go and have been sorry ever since. 34 years of sorry. Why oh why this was made as a miniseries I will never know. It definitely should have been a feature film. It would have made instant stars of Edward Albert (Ron Dalrymple) and Perry King (Russ Currier) and Deborah Raffin (Chris Farris) and Bruce Boxleitner. These 3 guys, especially Edward Albert are dreamy handsome like guys were back then without knowing they were handsome. There were polished, polite, well groomed and the characters had such layered depth. I knew lots of men just like these in college and they were all serious about being the next stewards of the country. They were patriots and felt deeply about things. I thought the film should be a time capsule of the era, much like It's a Wonderful Life has become about 1928-1945. Movies like this, took the time to develop the characters, making them richer and more memorable for you. The music throughout like Moonlight Serenade is divine.

Edward Albert (named after his movie star father) just played the son in the movie Tess, and he's still dreamy, polished, polite and well groomed! But it's the dialog in this film that will keep you mesmerized. I don't recall any violence, nudity or swearing.

Somebody please find out how to bring this back in DVD. It would be a great shame to lose this one for all time. I have over 500 DVD's, but this is the one I search for.

Sort of "a real story" size version of The Way We Were, and we all know how much that was enjoyed.

[abmorocco · 10/10 · 19 November 1999]

A completely satisfying ensemble story of human/historic events influencing/effecting people's lives. Really, thoroughly enjoyable; placing the World War II generation at their starting point and how they have so profoundly--in a positive sense--fashioned American life. (How will we replace their energy, their dedication?) Finally, I would wish/hope that it is released for viewing once again, in some format.

How can I see the mini series?

[kallen610 · 10/10 · 30 September 2003]

I began watching this mini series when it came out and was awestruck by it but missed the last few episodes due to whatever...I really enjoyed the film and to this day always think about it and look for it in the rentals. Is there any way to see this film? Anyone?

The Last Convertible was a great mini-series

[dwood6314 · 10/10 · 12 February 2007]

I've been searching to find a DVD or VHS of The Last Convertible for quite some time to no avail. I agree with one of the other people who made a comment,that this was a great mini-series that should have been made into a full length movie. Other mini-series such as Rich Man, Poor Man are on DVD, so I'm surprised that this one is not. I will be going to the web site that offers the opportunity to request that they do it. I hope that anyone who knows where a DVD on this may be purchased with include the information in their comments. I've seen Perry King in a show recently and each time I see him, it reminds me of The Last Convertible.

A Rose-Colored World of Friends

[JLRMovieReviews · 10/10 · 18 March 2015]

Perry King, Edward Albert, John Shea and Bruce Boxleitner star in this TV-movie adaptation of Anton Myrer's novel, "The Last Convertible," which concerns friends in their college years, whose world is upset by WWII and even Deborah Raffin. When they meet her, they all fall in love with her. All of them. Some are more honorable in their intentions. I know my review won't be that original (I did read a few reviews - breaking my rule), but I wanted to add my two cents. I was 9 or 10 when I saw this in 1979 and I had fond memories of liking it, though I didn't have vivid memories of the actual movie. But it did make an impression on me. This had been on my to-find list for literally 20 years (DVD, people!) and I finally broke down and bought a dvr copy of it. I'm so glad I did. Now I see why I liked it so much. From the beginning and throughout the film, it captures that "world with rose-colored glasses" and what also makes it so special is that despite all the highs and lows and fights and turmoils between the friends and their wives, their inner circle was never broken. They retained a bond that never wavered and they always returned to their friends; they always spent time together. Even despite the fact Perry's character could be a jerk, they all seemed to find the best in each other. And, even though I spent money on a dvr copy, if "The Last Convertible" came out on an actual DVD next week (not likely), I would pay good money for it again. It felt like spending time with friends. I have not read the book, but I have read on websites that those who have read the book have read it almost every year and at the beach; it's great beach-reading material, they say. But those who did read the book didn't like the TV-movie as much as those who didn't. But, Perry's beard at the end! Anyway, we will all be blessed if this came out on DVD. An engrossing and entertaining drama of friends with obstacles facing tomorrow, such as "The Last Convertible" is worth being made public for all to enjoy!

The last convertible

[hanne-jeppesen · 14 June 2017]

I love this mini series, I saw when it first came out. I believe I saw it once or twice since. Although I was married at the time I fell totally in love with Perry King, yes he was kind of a bad boy, but his looks his charm I couldn't get enough of him. I have the book and have read it more than once. As usually is the case the book is more detailed and the character's more developed, but I still love the mini series, it puts a face on the person. And of course you don't get the same vibes from the book you get from the film when Chris and Russ dances to "Moonlight Seranade" or when Kay makes that mean toast on New Years Eve.

For years I searched for the movie, and finally about 12-13 years ago I found someone that had it VHS tape, I gladly paid $40.00 for it, and have viewed it several times, unfortunately a few years ago my VCR ate the tape (the first one, there is 2) so now I really would like it on DVD. Anyway this movie has some of the same things I loved about the "The Big Chill" the friendship, the looking back at ones youth. I was born in 1945, so I have a bit of affinity for that period, and I do love the music from back then, just as I love the music from the sixties.

A film that grabs you in the opening scene and won't let you go

[darlingmissmarple · 10/10 · 8 September 2006]

One of the most unforgettable films I have ever seen. Everything about this mini series rates a+'s all the way. The writing, the sets, the filming, the directing and the acting. Bruce Boxleiter, Perry King,Edward Albert, and Sharon Gless are at their very best. The young Michael Nouri is gorgeous. This mini series follows a group of friends from Harvard through World War II and into their older years. With the additional time given by its being a mini series, the characters are well developed and richly played. From the opening scenes it reaches out and grabs you and you are quickly vested in the destinies of these characters and the different ways their lives progress as they age. You experience all the emotions of lives lived during one of the most dynamic times to live in America. You may love them or hate them, but you can't let them go and they will stay with you forever after. I long for this mini series to be released on DVD

Loved it!

[angeladavis49 · 10/10 · 28 October 2022]

I tried so hard to find this somewhere to stream but finally found where I could buy it. The dvd isn't in great condition not very crisp and hard to see in a few places, too dark but I loved the story and was glad I got to see it. Loved Perry king in it! He can play jerks and lovable guys equally well. He is so so handsome. I wonder if they were trying to imply Nancy was gay? It was never really explained. I personally wish it had ended differently for two of the characters. I'm a romantic I guess. Anyway this would have been nice to watch when it was new and in good condition but I don't remember it back in the 70's. It still was well worth buying it. I just don't enjoy the stuff that's on tv nowadays and the marvel comic movies don't appeal to me. I stream the older things and buy when I can't find them. I recommend this even if you find a dvd that's not in great condition I'd buy it. I'm rambling cause I have to type a certain number of characters.

Don't see this turkey. Read the book instead

[babydoll-beretta · 2/10 · 20 July 2006]

This movie absolutely stunk! It's nothing like the book, which is much better than this turkey of a movie. I hate that some of the characters names were changed (why? Your guess is as good as mine), or one or more characters were combined into one composite character.

Don't waste your money. Search for the book and read it. It is far and away better than this movie could ever hope to be.

I can't see any of the actors in the roles they play in this. Perry King as Russ? He's not as good looking as Myrer's book makes Russ out to be. And why are some actors listed, but not the role they played (were that bad? Probably)?

Some characters I don't even recognise from the book! Who's "Italian Kid"? The only Italian kid I remember from the book is Guido, Teresina's son, from when George and Opp were in Italy during WWII.

--bbd

Here we are face to face with a generation filled with hope and dreams - like any other - that is forced to rethink its decisions (and lives) because of human intolerance.

[spereira · 24 January 2003]

I was about thirteen years old when I saw "The Last Convertible" and fell in love with it. If made into a feature film it might have been more satisfying, structure wise, for the miniseries format extracts a lot of the immediacy of the plot. However it does work as a whole because its lengthy time covers the wide span of the story as it was written by Anton Myer in the novel in which the movie is based. Here we are face to face with a generation filled with hope and dreams - like any other - that is forced to rethink its decisions (and lives) because of human intolerance. The war is the main character here, albeit a faceless one. The delicate Chris Farris (Deborah Rafkin) and her handsome suitors suffer with its imperialism and see their lives forever changed. They all look wonderful in their period clothes, especially a painfully good-looking Bruce Boxleitner. For me, though, what makes TLC so special is the sensual music that permeates the film. "Moonlight Serenade" never felt so becoming. Please bring it back!

Deviates from the novel too much

[trudyr_1999 · 5/10 · 29 August 2013]

I've been paging through the book recently–something I do every few years. I read it when it first came out, and it's been a favorite of mine ever since! I remember being really excited to see the miniseries and then being very disappointed in it. I guess it would be enjoyable if you hadn't read the book. I clicked "spoiler alert" just to be on the safe side, but I'll try not to be too specific in my criticisms. I'll just say so many things were changed, unnecessarily, from the novel. I know a movie or TV adaptation can't include everything that's in a book. But to change characters radically (and not for the better), add characters and subplots that weren't in the book, and have an ending that, to my mind, undercut a major premise of the book–that's just not acceptable. David O. Selznick, when he was making Gone With the Wind, told the screenwriters (there were lots of them!) that readers of a beloved book will forgive things being left out of a movie, but not things being added. He was very wise about that. There are a few book-into-film adaptations where adding some things works (Field of Dreams, in my opinion), but these are rare exceptions.