Us

Made with most of Michael Landon's usual behind-the-camera crew (except for composer David Rose, who had passed away the year before - Steve Dorff takes musical duties here), "Us," as has been documented elsewhere, was a 1991 pilot movie for a series that had been sold to CBS and which was only prevented from going ahead by Landon's untimely death that year. The pilot itself, though edging into stronger territory than he was associated with (which overlooks the fact that he starred in "I Was A Teenage Werewolf," as well as the darker episodes of "Little House on the Prairie" like the one with a faith healer who's unmasked as a fake when a boy he "cures" ends up dead), is at heart the story of three generations of a family getting to know each other, revolving around our hero (Landon) released from jail after 18 years for a crime he didn't commit, building his relationship with his dad and coming to grips with his own son.

Although it opens with a robber in drag being gunned down by the cops and later has a lady of the night who our hero befriends becoming the seventh victim of a serial killer (a plot thread which surprisingly doesn't become a major thrust), for the most part sleaze is kept at bay with character and emotion the real selling points. As usual, it's sentimental (especially the end), but never unwatchable, and it's to Landon's credit as a writer-director that it doesn't scream "pilot" at you the way some others of its ilk do.

You can see where this would have gone as a series; another look at people travelling across America and finding themselves, but at least this TV movie is far superior to the late Robert Urich's "Crossroads," which had a similar premise and did become a series. Not Landon's best, but watchable.

This was the 2-hour pilot episode for a new TV show that Michael Landon began putting together when he was convinced that he was beating the cancer that eventually took his life (the show aired a few months after he died). Landon plays a man released from a long prison term after being cleared of the murder for which he was wrongfully convicted. His teenage son thinks he's dead, and Landon's relationship with his father isn't much better. The show seemed to be headed toward being (at least in part) a character study as the three generations of men re-build their relationships.

Although still easily falling in line with Landon's trademark family-friendly dramas, "Us" appeared to be headed in a slightly edgier direction than his previous work -- the protagonists are far from perfect, issues aren't always resolved in an hour, etc. This show had promise; yet another aspect of what we lost when Landon died.

Yes it's a TV-Movie with very sentimental Value.Michael Landon Does another fine faithful role.But Most especially in this one of which as The Narrator in the Prologue to this film even said this is Michael Landon's last gift to us.Yes and suitably because it's entitled "Us."

Also Now Knowing that it Was a Pilot to a TV-Series with the same name and just as another reviewer said Just when Michael Landon thought that he was relieved of his cancer and wanted to do a Pilot to serve as a start to a new TV-Series.he then suddenly went and as it would turn out it would be his last gift to us.Also still proving how he was just as faithful in Real Life as he was in many of his roles.

Now onward to this TV-movie it's about a man named Jeff Hayes of whom served time in Jail for a Murder that he didn't commit but because of his faith both made the best of it while in jail and like when he did his wait lifting as well as upon release has a forgiving and good attitude to just move on.

Faithfully,Stephen "Steve" G. Baer a.k.a."Ste" of Framingham,Ma.USA

This was Michael Landon's last project before his death. The show centers around a man who was wrongfully convicted of a murder he did not committ and ends up getting pardoned after decades in prison when evidence is discovered proving his innocence. After being paroled (Jeff Hayes) Landon's character returns to his old life to reconnect with the family he left behind. The movie was intended as a pilot for a new series by Landon, which the network greenlighted for the upcoming year. Sadly, the show never got passed a few unaired episodes before Michael Landon passed away. His flare for family dramas like Little House on the Prairie, Highyway to Heaven, and his early years on Bonanza is a lasting legacy for his committment to providing equality family entertainment that not only was wholesome, but taught lessons about morality and decentcy which sadly is lacking in Hollywood today. Michael Landon is a true icon of what Hollywood use to stand for and will never be forgotten. If you have not watched his last made for TV movie watch it, you will be glad you did.

I love this movie I will like to buy the movie do you know if I can