Good start, but then it gets ruined

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

I was in second grade, 7 yrs old, when this TV show was on. I loved it so much. I didn't know of the civil war until this show and I asked so many questions about the war, not understanding why brothers could fight each other. As I studied the war through school and college, I always used the perspective point of Ben and Jeff Canfield. I used to ask people if they loved this show as much as I did and they didn't remember it. When we first got the internet, I looked it up and only found the TV schedule for 1960 with the Americans listed, but that was all. I quit looking . . until now and found more info about it. I am excited to see there are more people who loved it as much as I did. I always wished it had been on more than the one year. I cried during the show. I remember when they saw each other while hiding in a barn. I wanted history to change and just let them live in peace, but of course, it couldn't end that way. I'm glad I had a chance to know this show. Thanks for info about it and everyone's comments.

I was 11 years old and a civil war nut already when I saw this show in Springfield, Virginia in January of 1961 and I was GLUED to our refrigerator-size Black and white TV set every week when it came on, Friday nights, if I remember correctly. I also remember, even to my young mind, thinking something wasn't right about their rifles, and it wasn't for more than 12 years that I realized what it was--The show was set in 1861 and they were using Model 1876 3-band Trapdoor conversion rifles, which were 1863 Springfield muskets converted for breech-loading cartridges. I still love the show, and will buy it immediately if it ever comes out on DVD!

I fondly recall watching this series. It really left a great impression on me. I was raised in a family of 14 children. We could not afford a TV set. so I would go to a neighbors house to view TV. I have asked many people about this series, how ever not any recall it. This movie should receive more attention than it evidently gets. Should be of interest to anyone that has an interest in the Civil War.Would be nice if some of the cable channels would start airing some of those great shows of yester year.

My brothers & I loved that show as kids. We even went to a Civil War re-enactment at Antietam to see the actors who played Ben and Jeff in person. I would love for Nick at Night or TV Land to air it again. Not many people seem to remember The Americans, probably because it only lasted a year. I even looked in a book at the library once titled "The Complete History of Television" and it wasn't listed!