'Tyler Watts (aka Joshua Cole)'
Is that just another IMDB error or did they actually change the character names for the mini series? I am currently listening to the audiobook and the character in the book is "Tucker Watts (aka Willie Cole)".
shareThey did change the character's names for the mini-series. I myself have been a fan of this mini-series ever since it first aired back in 1983, but I didn't read the book until three years ago. I was surprised to find that Stuart Woods had originally called his character Willie Cole and then later in the book Tucker Watts. Why they changed it for the film I don't know. What a spectacular book and a fantastic mini-series. I grew fed up waiting for it to come out on DVD, so I was forced to purchase a bootleg from E-bay. The quality is okay, but if the DVD companies ever see their way clear of producing "Chiefs" on DVD in America (Region 1), I'll definitely buy it again.
shareI don't understand the changing of Willie Cole to Joshua Cole -- there were alot of Wills in the story already.
I had a chance to see the miniseries a couple of months ago. It was good for it's time. Production values would be better today -- but there would also have to be a few gratuitous sex and torture scenes. I'll take the old version thank-you.
The DVD company could always put it out as Region 0 - playable on all players. This isn't often done in the US but I have a couple that did, most notably "I, Claudius".
http://joshpics.cabspace.com/
Hi. I JUST received I, Claudius, on DVD, today. Then, I just stumbled on your comment. How odd.
Anyway, I have I, Claudius on laserdisc & now on DVD. The laserdisc set had the original cover from the TV show, w/the portrait of Jacobi, in tile, but the DVD has photos of, in this order, John Hurt, Derek Jacobi & Patrick Stewart---& list them, in that order, as the stars of it.
This annoys the Hell out of me. I want the original cover art. Jacobi was the lead, and Stewart played a minor role.
Carpe Noctem
I'm not sure the production values would be better today. They didn't have a lot of money so instead of building sets in a Hollywood studio (which wouldn't have looked very authentic anyway), they found a town actually in the south and filled it with locals. Then they blended together a cast featuring both southern and non southern talents.
There were no real special effects because none were needed. The cinematography and music were expertly done as well.
Sure today's mini series may be a little slicker, but probably wouldn't be able to match the authenticity of this production of CHIEFS. And the cast is unmatched. Seriously, who else could play Sonny Butts compared to Brad Davis?