I saw this when it was originally telecast in the late 70s on TV as an Hallmark special presentation, and I never forgot it. What a relief to find it's available on video. However, I'm disappointed that the available VHS version has been cut down to 2 hours the original telecast on TV divided it into 2 showings (2 consecutive evenings), about 3 hours apiece, if I remember right. Not including commercials, I would estimate the original (uncut) version was about 4-5 hours. So, in the VHS version, the story moves VERY fast to squeeze it into 2 hours. Still great to watch, but again, it's very trimmed down and every scene moves very quickly. It would be great in the future if it would become available in the original uncut version on DVD or a 2 or 3-set VHS version.
After reading all the comments about the newer Liam Neeson version, I'm not interested in seeing that one at all. Who cares about "action & special effects," when all you need is great writing and great actors to carry the movie? If action & special effects is what you're after, watch Die Hard or Terminator 2, not this.
