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Mini-Series Madness Trivia Quiz

I love the mini-series format. It typically allows for longer, more complex stories than films but has a finish line to it. Here follow fifteen questions about well-known and little-known series. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by Caseena. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Caseena

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
321,107

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
9 / 15

Plays
675

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Which John Galsworthy series of novels has been adapted into a mini-series twice, once in 1967 and again in 2002? Hint

"The Forsyte Saga"

"House of Elliot"

"Portrait of a Lady"

"Shogun"

NEXT>

Question 2 of 15

2. "War and Remembrance" was, in its time, the most expensive television show ever created. It and its prequel series "The Winds of War" are based on novels by which author? Hint

James A. Michener

Herman Wouk

Leo Tolstoy

John Jakes

NEXT>

Question 3 of 15

3. What is the subject of of the 2002 mini-series "Taken"? Hint

Alien abduction

Theft of artwork

Sex trafficking

Memories psychically removed

NEXT>

Question 4 of 15

4. HBO has created many excellent mini-series. Which winner of six Emmys, including "Outstanding Miniseries," was based on a book by Stephen Ambrose? Hint

"John Adams"

"Generation Kill"

"Band of Brothers"

"From the Earth to the Moon"

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Question 5 of 15

5. "Roots" has a sequel mini-series.

True

False

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Question 6 of 15

6. Which mini-series is not based on a novel by Anthony Trollope? Hint

"The Way We Live Now"

"The Buccaneers"

"He Knew He Was Right"

"The Barchester Chronicles"

NEXT>

Question 7 of 15

7. Andrew Davies adapts many older novels into fine mini-series. For which of the following did he not write the screenplay? Hint

"The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders"

"To Serve Them All My Days"

"House of Cards"

"North & South"

NEXT>

Question 8 of 15

8. "Chiefs" starred the brother of which actor or actress who died in 2009? Hint

Jennifer Jones

Farrah Fawcett

David Carradine

Patrick Swayze

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Question 9 of 15

9. Who played Queen Elizabeth I in the series "Elizabeth R"? Hint

Glenda Jackson

Vanessa Redgrave

Jean Simmons

Helen Mirren

NEXT>

Question 10 of 15

10. What 1980s film was originally a five-hour mini-series for German television? Hint

"Wings of Desire"

"Fitzcarraldo"

"Das Boot"

"The NeverEnding Story"

NEXT>

Question 11 of 15

11. "Angels in America" featured which actor who appeared in "The Godfather"? Hint

Robert De Niro

James Caan

Al Pacino

Robert Duvall

NEXT>

Question 12 of 15

12. The opening titles of "I, Claudius" show what kind of animal? Hint

Horse

Lion

Snake

Spider

NEXT>

Question 13 of 15

13. "Lonesome Dove" is one in a series of Western mini-series based on books by Larry McMurtry. Which of the following is not one of them? Hint

"Comanche Moon"

"Dead Man's Walk"

"Broken Trail"

"The Streets of Laredo"

NEXT>

Question 14 of 15

14. Who played Mr. Darcy in the 1995 version of "Pride and Prejudice"? Hint

Colin Firth

David Rintoul

Matthew Macfadyen

Alan Badel

NEXT>

Question 15 of 15

15. At the beginning of "Edge of Darkness," a police inspector's relative is killed, leading him to discover a conspiracy. Which relative of his died? Hint

His nephew

His father

His daughter

His wife

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which John Galsworthy series of novels has been adapted into a mini-series twice, once in 1967 and again in 2002?

Answer: "The Forsyte Saga"

The first series largely sparked an English interest in the format. The second was much shorter, starred Damian Lewis and Gina McKee, and was followed by a sequel series called "The Forsyte Saga: To Let."

2. "War and Remembrance" was, in its time, the most expensive television show ever created. It and its prequel series "The Winds of War" are based on novels by which author?

Answer: Herman Wouk

The series starred Robert Mitchum, Jane Seymour, and Hart Bochner. It since has been overtaken as the most expensive television series by "Band of Brothers."

3. What is the subject of of the 2002 mini-series "Taken"?

Answer: Alien abduction

Also known as "Steven Spielberg Presents Taken," this series won an Emmy for "Outstanding Miniseries." Incidentally, there is a movie from 2008 called "Taken" that deals with sex trafficking.

4. HBO has created many excellent mini-series. Which winner of six Emmys, including "Outstanding Miniseries," was based on a book by Stephen Ambrose?

Answer: "Band of Brothers"

If you haven't seen this series, I greatly recommend that you do. It tells the story of a company of paratroopers during World War II and is extremely historically accurate. It also won "Outstanding Casting" and "Outstanding Directing."

5. "Roots" has a sequel mini-series.

Answer: True

It was called "Roots: The Next Generations." The books were written by Alex Haley.

6. Which mini-series is not based on a novel by Anthony Trollope?

Answer: "The Buccaneers"

"The Buccaneers" was based off an Edith Wharton novel.

7. Andrew Davies adapts many older novels into fine mini-series. For which of the following did he not write the screenplay?

Answer: "North & South"

Sandy Welch wrote this one, based on an Elizabeth Gaskell novel. This series should not be confused with the 1985 series "North and South," which stars Patrick Swayze and is set in the United States. "North & South" is set in Great Britain.

8. "Chiefs" starred the brother of which actor or actress who died in 2009?

Answer: David Carradine

Keith Carradine appeared in this little-known series based on a Stuart Woods book. Patrick Swayze's younger brother, Don Swayze, is also an actor and has been in episodes of "Criminal Minds," "Carnivale," and "C.S.I."

9. Who played Queen Elizabeth I in the series "Elizabeth R"?

Answer: Glenda Jackson

Jackson also portrayed the Virgin Queen in the movie "Mary, Queen of Scots." Vanessa Redgrave appeared in that movie as Mary. Helen Mirren portrayed the queen in "Elizabeth I," and Jean Simmons played her in the movie "Young Bess."

10. What 1980s film was originally a five-hour mini-series for German television?

Answer: "Das Boot"

The long version was eventually released as the "Original Uncut Version." If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.

11. "Angels in America" featured which actor who appeared in "The Godfather"?

Answer: Al Pacino

Pacino won an Emmy for his performance. In my opinion, Justin Kirk also should have won--he was phenomenal.

12. The opening titles of "I, Claudius" show what kind of animal?

Answer: Snake

Though a snake never appears in the series, poisoning is a common method by which the characters meet their deaths. This is an extremely well-acted and well-written series, starring Derek Jacobi, Sian Phillips, and John Hurt.

13. "Lonesome Dove" is one in a series of Western mini-series based on books by Larry McMurtry. Which of the following is not one of them?

Answer: "Broken Trail"

Chronologically, the series come in this order: "Dead Man's Walk," "Comanche Moon," "Lonesome Dove," and "The Streets of Laredo." "Broken Trail" was based on a novel by Alan Geoffrion and starred Robert Duvall, who also appeared in "Lonesome Dove."

14. Who played Mr. Darcy in the 1995 version of "Pride and Prejudice"?

Answer: Colin Firth

All of these actors have portrayed him in adaptations of the book, but Firth's performance is generally seen as the definitive imagining of the character.

15. At the beginning of "Edge of Darkness," a police inspector's relative is killed, leading him to discover a conspiracy. Which relative of his died?

Answer: His daughter

It aired in the 1980s after a screenwriter noticed that many BBC productions lacked a political element. He was amazed that it got made.

Source: Author Caseena

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Gamemaster1967 before going online.
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