Maxi TV Mini Series

Roots

This legendary TV miniseries -- an adaptation of author Alex Haley's groundbreaking novel that details the history of his own family from slavery to emancipation -- received five Emmy Awards, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Dramatic TV Series. With a dynamic ensemble cast, this rousing epic features LeVar Burton, in his acting debut, portraying Haley's ancestor, Kunta Kinte, who was kidnapped from his African village and sold into slavery.

Shogun

Full of action and drama, this critically acclaimed TV miniseries follows the adventures of the English navigator Blackthorne (Richard Chamberlain), who survives a devastating shipwreck that lands him in the middle of a political power struggle in feudal Japan. Blackthorne observes as the aspiring Shogun, Lord Toranaga (Toshirô Mifune), and the Emperor war over the title in this Emmy-winning adaptation of James Clavell's best-selling novel.

The Thorn Birds

Director Daryl Duke's controversial TV miniseries was nominated for 10 Emmy Awards (winning five) amid heated discussion of the storyline, the drama of an intimate friendship between a priest (Richard Chamberlain) and one of his best friends, the very married Meggie (Rachel Ward). While both chose separate paths in life, their friendship sparks passions that could destroy the lives of those around them -- and maybe even their own.

Alien Nation: The Complete Series

Based on the 1988 film starring James Caan and Mandy Patinkin, this sci-fi series follows the exploits of Los Angeles police detectives Matthew Sykes (Gary Graham) and George "Sam" Francisco (Eric Pierpoint) -- who's actually an alien sent to Earth to live among humans. Sykes, however, is unaware of his partner's secret identity. Michele Scarabelli co-stars as George's mate, Susan, with Terri Treas playing Sykes's alien neighbor.

Taken

When millionaire Ethan Grover (Dabney Coleman) is kidnapped and held for $2 million ransom, his cheating wife and corrupt business partners realize they have more to gain if he's killed than if they fork over the cash. Now Grover must raise the cash himself with only the help of his loyal secretary (Dorothée Berryman) before his captors run out of patience. Max Fischer directs this thriller that also stars Stewart Bick and Michael Rudder.