Unique story about family,friendships,and survival..
07/07/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All cast members are outstanding in this movie. A truely touching movie about family, friendship and survival. The movie is set during the time of the war. Family members are seperated and possessions are left behind, except for a hand painted picture and a mothers ring. The story of how the picture and the Ring reunite family members is very touching.....A gripping story that will keep you at the edge of your seat...."
Fantastic; Natassja Kinski is perfect
Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 08/25/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"One of the better Danielle Steel telemovies, THE RING is the romantic and tragic story of Ariana von Gotthard, a young German woman in WWII who is separated from her brother and father while they are trying to escape to Switzerland. Interned as a traitor, Ariana is subjected to cruel horrors, when she meets and falls in love with sympathetic German soldier Manfred. Just as the city of Berlin falls to the Allies, they get married and he is later killed. Ariana leaves for America under a Jewish alias and begins a new life, never giving up hope of finding her beloved brother.
Natassja Kinski is perfect in the role of Ariana. I can't imagine another actress delivering a better performance. Excellent recreation of the period with great photography. The cast also includes Rupert Penry-Jones, Linda Lavin, Leslie Caron, Jean Marsh, John Tenney, Leigh Lawson, Tim DeKay and Michael York."
Girlhood to motherhood, from WWII Berlin to Paris to N.Y.C
Jeri | Chicago | 11/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"**SPOILERS**
With his smokey and softly-accented voice, Carsten Norgaard made a wonderfully romantic and bittersweet Manfred -- Ariana's protector, husband and father of her only child. Norgaard created a character that is even more haunting and tragic than the novel's. This hero is easy to fall in love with, as Ariana did. Manfred's death scene is almost too realistic and painful. His eyes truly look dead under the half-closed lids.The destruction of Berlin in the last days of WWII is so convincing, you will be ducking and dodging with the citizenry from your comfy chair. This production is excellent all the way through. The movie is actually more accurate than the book, having the Russians capture the city and making Manfred's rank a Captain, which by his age and the progress of the war, makes more sense than Lieutenant. You will feel like you are there, and sometimes the involvement will have you squirming as well as drying the tears. Lifetime Channel aired the miniseries in one piece as a 3:30 hr movie with commercial breaks recently (Nov 2003); and if the original was 240 minutes, as I have heard elsewhere, then that is why I am buying the tape. There may be additional scenes. I have read that Region 2 (Europe, etc.) already has "The Ring" on DVD, and so I will be hoping and looking for that to come out. As you can tell, the first part of the story is more interesting to me, but I certainly recommend the whole video. I hope you enjoy "The Ring" as much as I have!"
Great miniseries
SusieQ | New York | 12/09/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Like Sensibility25, I am not usually a fan of Danielle Steele, but boy did I love this miniseries, it had really top-notch acting which carries it along; Ms. Kinski is the linchpin of the story; historical details are pretty accurate, and oh yes, the actor who plays Manfred is excellent & nice eye candy as well. I wish the WE television network would run this one on their Monday Miniseries, instead of repeating "Til We Meet Again" ad nauseum."