I'm from Colorado

smblindsey

and actually grew up in the town about 15-20 miles east of the actual town Centennial was based on, and where a lot of it was filmed: Orchard, Colorado. I wasn't born until about a year or so after it was made but several people I know were extras. I work in a law firm and our private investigator was on the Sheriff's Dept. back then doing security and met Conrad and Keith; he actually sat in Keith's trailer and had a few beers with him. How cool is that? I saw the movie for the first time about a month ago and was so enthralled with it; mostly because I recognized the South Platte and later, as Centennial grew, I recognized the town of Orchard. As soon as I was done with the movie I went and checked out the book and am almost done with it. Tuesday I drove to Orchard and went down the main street; the east side of the street still has the look of "Centennial" though the buildings are run down. There is a cafe on the corner, however I don't know if it's still open or not, but there's a sign above the door that states "Centennial Cafe." The church that was so important in the movie doesn't have a cemetery in front of it like in the movie, but the church is/was real. My friend's dad could remember playing there as a child, when it was just an abandoned church. Then it was spruced up for the movie. Her dad later died and when she was planning her wedding they decided to get married on the steps of the church, as a sign of respect for her dad's childhood. However, about a week before the wedding the church caught fire. It's still standing, but was gutted and ruled not safe to conduct the ceremony.

According to the map inside the book, I live on part of the Venneford Ranch. :-) I live about a half hour northeast of Orchard.

I meant to write about the book and the movie, but I wanted some of you to know that it's really been an eye-opener, for someone who's lived so close to "Centennial" all their lives and never really know the history. And to recognize that some of the people and stories James Michener "created" he created out of true events...events that I heard growing up.

Of course, "Centennial" is not to be confused with the real Centennial, Colorado, which was only incorporated as a town within (I think, don't quote me on this) the last 10-15 years, possibly 20, but I really think Centennial has only been a town, basically a suburb of Denver, since about 1996 or so. I think. :-) I highly recommend the movie, the book, and, if you're ever in Colorado, a drive along I-76 where you can get off at Julesburg, Crook, Iliff, Sterling, Atwood, Merino, Hillrose, Brush, Fort Morgan, Weldona, Wiggins and Orchard and you can experience the South Platte River and the surrounding area.

score 10/10

smblindsey 11 August 2006

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1444979/