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                                                                    May 28, 1997


Century Communications Corp.
50 Locust Avenue

New Canaan CT 06840

Dear Sirs:

           We refer to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3
(the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), being  filed by Century  Communications  Corp.,  a New Jersey
corporation  (the "Company"),  with  the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission").  The Registration  Statement  relates to  $500,000,000  aggregate
principal amount of Senior Debt Securities, Senior Subordinated  Debt Securities
and  Subordinated  Debt  Securities  (collectively,  the  "Securities")  of  the
Company. We also refer to (i) the Senior Indenture between the Company and First
Trust of California National Association,  successor  Trustee to Bank of America
National Trust & Savings Association, as trustee, dated as of February 15, 1992,
being incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.1 of  the  Registration  Statement,
(ii)  the  Senior Subordinated  Indenture, dated as of October 15, 1991, between
the  Company  and  Bank  of  Montreal Trust Company, as trustee, incorporated by
reference as Exhibit 4.2 of the Registration Statement, and (iii)  the  proposed
form of the Subordinated Indenture between the Company and State Street Bank and
Trust Company, as trustee, being  incorporated  by  reference  as Exhibit 4.3 of
the Registration Statement (each of the  Senior  Indenture, Senior  Subordinated
Indenture and Subordinated Indenture being referred to herein individually as an
"Indenture" and each of the respective  trustees  thereunder each being referred
to herein as a "Trustee").

           We have examined  originals,  or photostatic or certified  copies, of
such  records of the  Company,  certificates  of  officers of the Company and of
public  officials  and such  other  documents  as we have  deemed  relevant  and
necessary as the basis for the opinions set forth below. In such examination, we
have  assumed  the  genuineness  of  all  signatures,  the  authenticity  of all
documents submitted to us as originals,  the conformity to original documents of
all  documents  submitted  to us as  certified  or  photostatic  copies  and the
authenticity of the originals of such copies.



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Century Communications Corp.
May 28, 1997

Page 2

           Based  upon  our  examination   mentioned   above,   subject  to  the
assumptions  stated and relying on statements of fact contained in the documents
that we have  examined,  we are of the opinion that,  assuming the due execution
and delivery of each Indenture by the  appropriate  Trustee,  upon the taking of
appropriate  further  corporate action by the Company,  the Securities will have
been duly and validly  authorized and, when duly executed,  authenticated by the
appropriate Trustee,  issued and delivered against payment therefor at the price
and in accordance  with the terms set forth in the Prospectus  that forms a part
of the  Registration  Statement and the applicable  supplement or supplements to
such  Prospectus,  will have been duly and  validly  issued and will  constitute
valid and binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms.

           In giving  the  opinion  set forth  above,  we have  relied  upon the
opinion,  dated of even date herewith, of Connell,  Foley & Geiser (the "Connell
Opinion"),  a copy of which is attached,  as to all matters relating to the laws
of the State of New Jersey.  To the extent that the opinions set forth above are
expressed in reliance upon the Connell Opinion, such opinions are subject to the
qualifications and limitations expressed in the Connell Opinion.

           We  consent  to the  filing  of this  opinion  as an  Exhibit  to the
Registration  Statement  and to the reference to this firm  appearing  under the
caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus that forms a part of the  Registration
Statement.  In giving  this  consent,  we do not admit  that we are  within  the
category of persons whose consent is required  under Section 7 of the Securities
Act or the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission.

                                                 Very truly yours,

                                                 Leavy Rosensweig & Hyman





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