Customer Reviews:
Possibly the greatest mix of action with comedy ever.......2007-05-31
The A-Team is a programme that would be a complete and utter waste of even just thinking of remaking, no matter how talented a person was or how hard they tried it would never and I mean never match this, because everything about it feels as though it is how it was meant to be, that and the fact that it is one of the best pieces of television ever that successfully mixes action with comedy and does it so brilliantly. Now I have got that out of the way I will briefly, if you have never seen it that is, tell you a little of what all the fuss is about. To explain it as simply as possible it is about a group of soldiers who are on the run from the military for a crime that they did not commit. That in itself is rather tricky. But at the same time as all this, they help people (any people, it could be you, me or somebody you know, although you have to find them first) with problems for example whether it be somebody has been kidnapped or somebody's taxi business is being unlawfully ruined by a rival taxi business etc. or just generally being bullied. Whatever the problem is they have all got one thing in common, and that is in the end The A-Team will defeat the bad guys (usually deadly serious and smug, which make it all the more satisfying and amusing that they get what they deserve in the end) responsible, but in the process hurt them as little as possible. So by the end of each episode, the innocent victims involved can get on with their tedious lives and The A-Team can get on with helping another poor soul, although sometimes they have to escape from the military before they can move on. Below is a little information on the members of The A-Team.
Hannibal (my personal favourite) - In charge of the team (and rightly so given is age and experience) and loves it when plans come together, adores his cigars, looks for acting roles in between missions and is very witty, especially love it when he's on the jazz and uses his acting talents to disguise himself as various made up characters. George Peppard played this role with such coolness.
Face - Ladies man and likes to do as little manual work as possible, tries to fight as little as possible (although he can fight) and uses his conman skills to get various things, for example if they ever need a helicopter Face is your man, if the team need to get Murdock out of the nuthouse Face is your man, in general if The A-Team need anything for a mission, then it is no problem for the Faceman. I particularly find it funny the way he comes across as a bit of a snob and secretly looks down at the others.
Murdock - Completely mad but extremely funny (overall the funniest character), winds B.A. up all the time and his pilot skills are essential to the team. Hides out in a nuthouse and I'm still not 100% sure if he really is or really isn't.
B.A. - The gold chain wearing hardman of the team, loves his van and if some kind of weapon needs to be made, then he can make them unbelievably(still entertaining) out of almost anything. Arguably the most caring team member, hates flying. Love the way he fools the team into thinking he's about to do something really bad to them after they put him to sleep to get him on a plane.
In my opinion this season is as good as any. It is also the introduction of the legendary Col.Decker (the best character outside of The A-Team by far). He definitely wasn't stupid, it's just that The A-Team made him look stupid, especially when Hannibal gets as close as possible to him before they escape, just so he can rub it in with a big cheesy smile, these are classic A-Team moments. I sometimes kind of feel a little bit sorry for Col.Decker, he is so desperate to catch them, but at same time as nothing but respect for them and I always wonder if he secretly wants to be part of them.
One last comment, there is an episode in this season called taxicab wars and I am sure that this is another influence(one of many 1980's films and programmes from that time period) on the videogame Grand Theft Auto:Vice City (one of my favourite games ever) which includes a mission involving loads of taxi's, just thought I would mention it.
Anyway I hope this helps anybody that is interested to know what kind of programme this is, like I said, it is possibly the greatest mix of action with comedy ever.
Feel Good Saturday Night Fodder.......2007-01-01
Watching the A-Team as a youngster, I used to view it on a broad scale which could be summed up in the equation: Needy people + A-Team = Fights + Ultimate victory for the A-Team, however watching this now, I appreciate the hilarious ramblings of Murdock (my fav) particularly in a scene where he pretends to be an English military type and rebukes an English (American with terrible English accent) arms store owner that he does'nt have Rolls Royce oil caps and original pressings of Hey Jude at which Face silently lips "Hey Jude" in disbelief. It's good fun and you know theres not gonna be anything offensive in the shows. Also as a youngster I never really saw Amy Allen (Melinda Culea) as a member and feel she should have had a more valued input,however she is very nice on the eye.
Amazing!.......2006-01-09
Absolutely astoudingly good value for money - 22 episodes for just £16. A Must buy for all A-Team fans. Well worth the money. I found myself watching episode after episode. Buy this DVD Box Set!!!
Where the show really takes off........2005-09-05
I'll admit the first season of The A-Team (that's Alpha Team for the uninitiated) was a bit dodgy and had a rough quality to it. But season 2 is where the show really found it's groove and began to develop the characters and plots more. And you just gotta love all those silly inventions. But hey, it gets the job done.
People often complain about the same things when moaning about The A-Team. They say that every show had the same plot. Well, this can be said about a lot of TV shows if you go into technicalities. But the A-Team diversified enough for this statement to be simply not true (a 2-hour episode is included in this season, for example). They also complain that no one ever got shot or died. Also not true. People do die. People are shot. Just not very often and certainly not by one of the team. I mean if they are on the run for a crime they didn't commit then it would be stupid of them to shoot people. And Amy just doesn't disappear without a reason halfway through this season as so many people complain. Her character is made a foreign correspondent in Jakarta and is frequently referenced in her abesence. People just love to hate this show because it's easy to pick apart but I doubt something like Lost will be so fondly remembered in 20 years time.
With rumors of an A-Team movie abound I have to express my disapproval, at the moment at least. Currently there are FAR TOO MANY old shows being made into heartless movies. Some of them were already worth nothing (Charlie's Angels, Honeymooners) but the A-Team was something special and there is NO WAY you can replace the original cast with Hollywood actors.
The late, great George Peppard is the only Hannibal. I miss him. It's sad that he passed away at the too young age of 66 but you can really see what caused his illness when watching this show. He is always chomping on a cigar. George Peppard was a heavy smoker (and drinker) and although he quit both of them soon after the show it had already taken it's toll on him. It's a real shame and no one can replace him.
Dirk Benedict is the only Templeton 'Face' Peck. A man who lies and cons like there was no tomorrow. A man who wouldn't tell you the truth even if you held a gun to his grandmother's head. Only Dirk pulled this off perfectly and the role will always be his.
Dwight Schultz often displays Jim Carrey-esque levels of zany humor as Murdock and there's no doubt the man is a terrific actor. Carrey could pull this off I guess but he's much older than Schultz was at the time and he did make Murdock into the wild, 'is he crazy or just faking it' character we all know and love.
And finally there's Mr T. If I absolutely HAD to choose my fave Team member, if you really made me. I would be him. He's the one that gave the A-Team something special. And although his acting is a little amateur (he gradually got better) he's just hilarious.
Of course you could bring back the original cast but Benedict, Schultz and T are all 60, 57 and 53 now and can you really imagine them taking orders from a new Hannibal? I don't think so!
And then there's the A-Team theme music. THE best TV theme ever. There are, as of yet, undiscovered tribes in the heart of the amazon jungle that know and love the A-Team theme. Immediatly starting on a high and not letting up for 60 seconds of one of the most heroic fanfares ever...could there be a better theme tune than this? Never!
The DVD presentation is just a little bit better than last time. The picture is still in desperate need of a digital remastering. Something it can come across as very clear and colorful but too often the colors are washed out, bland and have a 'sun-bleached' look.
The sound is okay. Nothing to write home about. But certainly no complaints.
Extras this time consist of a bonus Knight Rider episode and trailers of A-Team Season 1, Miami Vice, Airwolf and Knight Rider.
One Of The Best Television Series EVER!!.......2005-08-09
The A-Team is one of those programmes that you watch where you think, yep, that wouldn't happen, or, if they were in the army, why didn't they ever shoot anybody? My answer, maybe not all television series need to have seriously over complicated plots, and dead bodies lying left, right and centre.
And yet, even if you are thinking little things like this, The A-Team is still one of the most enjoyable programmes you will ever find.
I have watched this ever since my Gran saw a picture of, as she called him "a man with lots of jewellery" (BA!) when I was about five. Im now 20 and I still love it. Im also female, which means that people who watch it, dont just watch it because of the explosions, cars and gun fights. There was a lot more to this programme than just that. For a start, its four cast members. George Peppard, Mr T, Dirk Benedict and Dwight Schultz were a joy to watch, week in, week out. They were a dynamic bunch, and it worked so well on screen. Peppard (One of my all time favourites) was born for the role as the cigar munching leader, the man with the plan. His disguises were always funny, but I think we as the audience only recognized him, because we saw him, week in, week out. Mr T, was mean and big, but turned into a big cuddly teddy bear whenever a kid was on the screen. He was also normally the butt of Murdock's jokes, so it was even funnier. And speaking of Murdock, he was hilarious, especially when he was off on one, like I said, normally at the expense of BA, and rather than giving him a telling off, Hannibal would agree with him, and make the situation for BA even worse. Dirk Benedict was not just a pretty boy, though he was terribly handsome and always well dressed, but he also had a lot of wit and charisma, like for example, he cannot do a simple job like hammering a couple of nails, yet he can con two bear hunters out of their cabin, and steal a first aid kit, whilst in the same room as the ever on their tail Colonel Decker!
This series, season two, was one of, if not, the best of the five series, featuring some of the top episodes such as When You Comin' Back Range Rider parts 1 & 2, which gave viewers a chance to see the team as cowboys, which they suited extremely well. Hannibal and Face especially suited the clothing if I may say so, buts that from a female's point of view.
So, if you are thinking of buying this box set, dont think, BUY IT NOW, and buy anything else that has got the A Team written on it.
I will cherish this series and its characters forever, as not only does it remind me of my childhood, but it lets me kick back, relax and watch something that is purely meant to entertain me. :o)
Customer Reviews:
Excellent first season of the greatest 1980s show!.......2007-11-10
Although the format of "The A-Team" is generally the same in each episode, the writers still came up with some great ways to make each one individual and that's what made this such a fantastic show! Below is a list of characters. Following that is a list of episodes.I have given a rating to each one, as well as writing a short synopsis!
Colonel John "Hanibal" Smith -- the leader of the gang, the man who always has a plan. (George Peppard)
Lt. Templeton "Face" Peck -- the Team's con-man, born with a blindly white smile and charms to match. (Dirk Benedict)
Captain H.M. "Howlin' Mad" Murdock -- the pilot. Murdock can fly anything, so long as it has wings. (Dwight Schultz)
Bosco "B.A." Baracus -- the Team's engineer. Can make anything, given the right tools and equiptment. Is scared of fly and as such hates Murdock, whom he dubs a "crazy fool" and "sucker" throughout the course of the show. (Mr. T)
Colonel Lynch -- the man who's been hunting the A-Team since they escaped from high-security lock-down in 1972. (William Lucking)
Before I start on this section, let me explain the rating system as I see it! 5STARS = excellent, 4STARS = good, 3STARS = okay, 2STARS = poor, 1STAR = awful...
Episode 1 & 2: "Mexican Slayride" -- The A-Team is hired by journalist Amy Allen (the beautiful Melinda Culea, who appears throughout this season as the A-Team's assistant) to help find her missing co-worker in Mexico. 3 STARS.
Episode 3: "The Children of Jamestown" -- The A-Team is hired by a man to rescue his daughter from a religious extremist, but soon find themselves fighting for their lives in an attempt to escape after being captured. 4 STARS.
Episode 4: "Pros and Cons" -- The A Team decide to help free one of B.A.'s friends from prison, where the inmates are being forced to fight to the death for a taste of short-lived freedom. 5 STARS.
Episode 5: "A Small and Deadly War" -- The A-Team are hired by a police officer to put an end to another freelance group committing murders for a price in LA. 5 STARS.
Episode 6: "Black Day at Bad Rock" -- After B.A. is injured, the A-Team is taken in by the local sheriff, but are forced to team up with him against a motorbike gang threatening the town. 5 STARS.
Episode 7: "The Rabbit Who Ate Las Vegas" -- The A-Team are hired by 2 students, whose lecturer went missing in Las Vegas after discovering the perfect method to make money in the casino. 4 STARS.
Episode 8: "The Out-Of-Towners" -- The A-Team take up the cause of local shop keepers being threatened by a protection racket in New York. 4 STARS.
Episode 9: "Holiday in the Hills" -- After the team's plane crashes in South Carolina, the A-Team are hunted down by a group of hillbillies who want to burn them at the stake. 3 STARS.
Episode 10: "West Coast Turnaround" -- The A-Team is hired to help a melon farmer whose livelihood is being threatened by a murderous rancher who wants to take his land. 5 STARS.
Episode 11: "One More Time" -- Colonel Lynch finally captures the A-Team, but they are then hired by the US Government to help free a general and his daughter in Borneo (Indonesia). 3 STARS.
Episode 12: "Till Death Do Us Part" -- The A-Team must rescue an unwilling bride from the man who killed her father and prove he committed the crime. 5 STARS.
Episode 13: "The Beast from the Belly of a Boeing" -- The A-Team is hired to recapture a hijacked plane, something not made easy when Murdock goes temporarily blind and B.A. goes catatonic. 5 STARS.
Episode 14: "A Nice Place to Visit" -- Following the death of a good friend, the A-Team decide to help free a small town from the grip of a murderous family. 5 STARS.
That's it. I didn't think much of the double-length pilot, to be honest. I also didn't like the format of the episode "One More Time" (a format followed in season 5.) I would still recommend this to any old fans or people who have never seen The A-Team. Don't expect DVD quality, though. The sound is okay, but neither the sound nor the picture has been digitally remasted, so can sometimes be a bit pixelated. This doesn't remove the fact that this was (and still is) a great show!
The A-Team = Action/Comedy Perfection.......2007-05-23
Because of all the endless lifestyle type programmes that seem to infect my TV these days, I have bought a lot of DVD Boxsets as I think they are excellent value for money and one of them was this wonderful piece of television.
Having watched The A-Team as a kid in the 1980's I was a fan of the show then but having watched this boxset recently I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it and that I enjoyed it even more now than then. The reason for this is because I appreciate the chemistry between the characters much more than I did as a kid, I also seem to find it a lot funnier and the theme tune is the icing on the cake.
I can't pick a favourite character as I think they are all unique and brilliant but if I had to I would suprisingly say Hannibal, I say suprisingly because as a kid I think he was probably my least favourite. I know that the all B.A./Murdock relationship is hilarious but I also find the B.A. losing it with Hannibal moments far funnier than I can remember. Forget about all the tedious comments about nobody ever getting shot in all the gunfights etc. and just enjoy this show for what it is.
The only negative thing I can say about the first season is that I personally found the pilot episode a bit slow but this seems to be the case with most of my favourite shows so it's just me being a little fussy and the only negative thing I can say about this boxset is the lack of extras but even without these it is still excellent value.
One last comment is that the picture quality is superb, I know it is supposed to be but some of my other boxsets aren't this good.
So my advice is that if like me you loved The A-team as a kid and are thinking about buying this boxset but not sure, then buy it fools whatever age you are as I am sure you won't regret it.
TV How it should be.......2007-03-09
This is the first season of the A-Team. If you don't know the A-Team is the collective name for Hannibal, Face, B.A. and Murdock. They would be those four fellas on the front of the box there. These four guys are former soldiers and fugitives on the constant look out to avoid capture by the military police after they escaped from a military prison. That sounds like great fun to watch. But that's not all they also help people in trouble against bigger bad guys at the same time. Yup, that's right :- AMAZING!
Even more amazing is some of the ideas the guys come up with on how to acheive this. They will use their wit and Face's scamming skills to obtain just about anything in any situation. Then with seemingly random bits of junk they create something incredible that just whoops the bad guys. Not only do the plans work but they add several ounces of pure cheek and class on top - thank Hannibal for that.
As well as the clever build up of junk you can see an almost perfect dynamic between the four main characters. Hannibal is the leader as he was in army, he comes up with the plans and gets really excited when everyones lives are in danger (the jazz). Then there is Face, he is the charming con artist who can get absolutely any item no matter what, no matter where, he usually gets the girl too. Then there is Sgt. Bosco Baracus or B.A. as he is called which stands for 'Bad Attitude' played by Mr.T, he is the driver, the muscle and the man who builds things out of scrap. Finally is Howlin' Mad Murdock, the crazy pilot who adds some comic relief with his 'crazy rap' constantly annoying BA.
So the ideas are great and the characters are great too, but then everything else is great, the music - timeless. The stunts are off this planet - look at how close the helicopter sometimes gets to clipping the floors and hills and cliffs.
All of the episodes offered on this box set are great but for me the best two are 'Pros and Cons' set in a prison, and 'Beast From the Belly of a Boeing' set in a plane. Everyone has their personal favourites but those two show why the A-Team are the best in my book, a complex plan in one and some really quick thinking in the other.
If you remember the A-Team fondly then buy this. If you've never seen it before then still buy it as it really is classic stuff. Solid gold.
season 1 A - Team.......2006-09-02
This has got to be one of my favorite things to watch, especially between murdocks madness and B.A'S anger it makes great TV, i found my self watching all 14 episodes in the same day i received the DVDS, just got to get enough money to buy the rest of the season's
I ain't get on no plane phoo!.......2006-01-12
Lovely presentation, I particularly like the book type box. The episodes themselves can not be faulted and since it has Mr. T in it you're bound to like it. Awesome 80's naffness galore! I particularly recommend it if you ever pull an all nighter. The only problem is, if they're such an elite squad of commandos, how come they never hit anything?
Customer Reviews:
Great Sunday night viewing.......2007-03-27
Although a little slow at first, once you get into the series Kessler is a very enjoyable follow up to Secret Army. The writers could have told the same story in 4 parts, but this does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the series. The charcters are not as watchable as the ones from Secret Army but they do a good job and Clifford Rose excels in the title role.
Not "Secret Army" - but good nonetheless.......2006-06-14
It is the early 1980's. Ludwig Kessler, the SS Standartenführer who was one of the central characters in the 70's classic TV series "Secret Army", is now (in the early 80's), living under a pseudonym, a successful and respectable industrialist. But a Belgian TV Journalist with little or no scruples, a German Detective, and an Israeli out to avenge her parents are all on to his true identity, and are trying to track him down.
Lovers of conspiracy theories will latch on to the allusions to Nazi escape networks exploiting Masonic-like connections throughout the establishment, neo-Nazi movements ready to take over the world and the like. It all sounds a little far-fetched now, but was very topical at the time Kessler was originally released. Certainly there were rumours at the time that the series might have been closer to the truth than originally thought!
It is almost inevitable that comparisons will be drawn with "Secret Army", and to be honest, "Kessler" comes in a clear runner up. Set in contemporary time, "Kessler" suffers from appearing almost cringingly "80's" at times, something "Secret Army", set in the past at the time of release, avoids. Kessler himself is the only real carry-over character - although Bernard Hepton, Angela Richards and Juliet Hammond-Hill get to reprise their roles briefly in the first episode. The six episode, single series format does not allow for the depth of characterisation and plot "Secret Army" had over its three 13 episode seasons - and that contributed to its greatness. Consequently, "Kessler" appears rather one-dimensional in comparison.
"Kessler" stands on its own as a very good, taut, well-scripted Drama. Unlike many spin-offs, in-depth knowledge of the original series is not a requirement for getting into and enjoying it. However, like many spin-offs, "Kessler" does not live up to the original.
Kessler - some disappointment.......2006-03-23
The series began well. In London it was quite exciting. In South America it became less and less interesting. I would have liked to know how he got into the large firm after the War. It seemed odd that noone had recognised him before after his high profile in Secret Army.
Was the research into what happened to these leading Nazis properly researched?
On the whole the high hopes I had of the series was not fulfilled.
Bit dissapointing.......2005-12-29
I am a big fan of Secret Army and could not wait to see Kessler. I had never previously seen it and was looking forward to it. I could not get into the story line and did not consider it as good as Secret Army. In the end I gave the DVD away. Hope you have better luck with it than me!
Customer Reviews:
A good attempt at spoofing the prince of darkness.......2007-05-11
Well, well, well. I remember when I first saw this on tv at the age of ten or eleven ten years ago approx. I didn't really think it was all that funny and that the comedy was a bit stilted.
However I watched this about two years ago and realised that it was really an attempt by Mr Mel Brooks at putting the famous Dracula character and story into a 'Carry On' style theme. With that it isn't that bad and is watchable.
Leslie Neilsen (from 'The Naked Gun' series) makes a pretty good clumsy Dracula and Amy Yasbeck along with Lysette Anthony make sizzling damsels in distress as Mina Harker and Lucy Westonra. One of my favourite scenes is where Jonathan is nearly seduced by Lucy in the graveyard. Hilarious. Also funny is the theatre scene between Dracula and the Stewardess.
If you like Mel Brooks and Leslie Neilsen films then I would say get these because you could do worse and get the Scary Movie films. ***
Accurate and funny.......2007-03-05
Suprisingly, this sticks to the original story far better than any other version I have ever seen! the comedy is typical Mel Brooks/Leslie Nielson, so if that isn't your fayre, you won't like this.
A perfect introduction to a Classic novel- English teachers take note!
Good Old Leslie does it again.......2005-07-21
In the terms of comic film genius, you either love him or hate him. I personally think he is great. If you need a good pick me up after a bad day at the office or generally need cheering up, then look no further. Those especting some sort of strong plot or high drama should stay away. Those looking for a good laugh, loads of stupid jokes and general mayhem need to buy this DVD as quickly as possible. This is Leslie at his most stupidest, which is what he does best. Mel Brooks also lends a hand in this comedy madness as the would be vampire slayer.
Classic comedy stuff!
Dead, but not loving it all that much........2005-07-20
This film leaves a lot to be desired. As a major fan of both vampire films, and Leslie Nielson comedies, I expected a major treat with Dracula, dead and loving it. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The film tries too hard to stick to the original dracula story, and i think therein lies the problem, as Dracula does not give much scope for comedy. The gags are tiresome and dated, and the entire film looks cheaply made. If you're looking for comedy, check out ANY other Leslie Nielson film, if you're looking for vampires, check out any film other than this.
Leslie Nielson-the best thing since sliced bread!!!.......2003-09-17
A class film, with superb actors. Hilarious on all levels, that says it all. Its good, very very good. The END
Customer Reviews:
super champ.......2008-01-30
one of the best fights ive ever seen. joe proves his chin. good extras with interveiws and enzom macarenelli's fight against wayne braitewaite. well worth buyin
A must for any fan Boxing.......2008-01-28
Joe Calzaghe will proberbly be remembered as the greatest fighter that we in the UK have ever produced. Joe Calzaghe has been regarded, by most, as the best Super Middleweight in the world for over 10 years and has enjoyed over 20 successful defences of his WBO World Championship. Over an impressive title reign, Calzaqhe had beaten Robin Reid, Charles Brewer, Byron Mitchell, Jeff Lacy, Chris Eubank and Richie Woodhall etc. However a new challenger arose from Denmark in Mikkel Kessler and this power-punching Dane was widley considered the most dangerous opponent Calzaghe had ever faced.
Mikkel Kessler came into his fight with Joe Calzaghe with a very impressive undefeated record and was both the WBA and WBC World Champion. Kessler had beaten world class fighters like Markus Beyer, Andrade, Lucas, Mundine. Such impressive victories earned him a crack at Calzaghe.
The fight itself proved to be a classic, the 2 best fighters in the Super-Middleweight division facing each other in front of 50,000 fans. Both men gave it their all and finally Calzaghe proved to the world what we in the UK always knew ..... that Calzaghe is something special.
Amazon.co.uk Review
"One man can make a difference," intones a dying millionaire--well, one man and a superduper car, backed with millions of dollars! Welcome to the deliciously ridiculous world of Knight Rider, the early '80s TV series that launched the career of David Hasselhoff and his magnificent coif (both later seen in the insanely popular Baywatch). After being shot in the face, detective Michael Long is revived as Michael Knight (Hasselhoff) and partnered with an indestructible talking car called K.I.T.T. (voiced by William Daniels). The duo travel around the country solving crimes--basically, it's The Lone Ranger with the car as Silver and Tonto combined. Supported by finicky British executive Devon Myles (Edward Mulhare, actually an Irishman) and sexy engineer Bonnie Barstow (Patricia McPherson), Knight and K.I.T.T. take on everything from motorcycle gangs to corporate crooks to K.I.T.T.'s own evil twin, K.A.R.R.
Like any good cheese, Knight Rider has only grown more pungent with age. Decked out in alarming '80s fashions (check out that blue Members Only jacket in the pilot), earnestly spouting some of the worst dialogue in the history of television, the absurdly handsome Hasselhoff radiates the unique charisma that's made him a cult figure in Germany. In addition to the 21 episodes of the first season, Knight Rider: Season One includes a 1991 TV movie, Knight Rider 2000, that tried to launch a revamped series set in the near future (lacking the cheerful touch of creator Glen Larson, the attempt sank into oblivion) and brief interview footage (including Hasselhoff describing when he read the original script: "It was glowing in my hands. This was gold.") It's unlikely this boxed set will appeal to anyone who didn't become a fan of the show at an impressionable age, but for those fans, Knight Rider: Season One is gold. --Bret Fetzer
Customer Reviews:
I would have preferred it if you had let me open the door first..........2007-05-19
Knight Rider - a classic TV show of the early eighties starring a young, good looking David Hasselhoff and a car to die for...
Presented lovingly in its boxset and heaped full of extras this is the entire first season that has been unaltered. (No sign of George Lucas style tinkering here) there are interviews with the cast, blueprints of KITT, a documentary, and plenty of other extras to get your teeth into.
Puzzling, though is the idea of putting the pilot at the end (on Disc 7) rather than the start. I am also not a fan whatsoever of Knight Rider 2000 (it destroyed a lot of what made Knight Rider special to me... the music, the characters - KITT) but I suppose it had to be included somewhere.
Stand out episodes like Trust Doesn't Rust feature here, and all in all, an outstanding boxset and trip down memory lane and the journey of one man who tried to make a difference...
With 90 episodes across the four seasons and Michael Knight getting the girl or girls at practically the end of every season, I wonder if it gave him a bigger girl tally than James Bond?
Fond childhood memories...............2006-06-13
Knight rider was, without a shadow of a doubt, my favourite USA T.V. series of the early to late 1980s. Well, what 5 year old boy would'nt love a talking car, with lots of amazing gadgets and a good crime fighting David Hasselhof always coming out on top and foiling criminals plans? Now, 20 years later, a friend lent me this box set. I sat down to watch it, attempting to revive those memories. The result was one of mixed emotions. I still think it remains the best series of the times but, as i thought, it has aged badly. For instance, check out the early computer game style pictures on K.I.T.T.'s dash-board, the cheesy acting and the sometimes quite ridiculous story lines. The included T.V. movie, KNIGHT RIDER 2000, was an attempt to relaunch the story to a new generation but lacked the charm of the original series and as such nothing became of it. In short, this certainly won't convert anybody new to the series but for those who remember, know and loved the original series, its worth owning for its time.
KITT.......2006-04-27
Knight Rider had it all action adventrue and a supercar many spinoffs have sprouted from the classic TV show some bad and some good more bad than good but this boxset is good it has many extras plus the movie which is a good extra and spinoff but there is a lot of KITT left which lets it downI think a series from that movie would work.
There is a second boxset out I think ever extra was put into this boxset.
Greatest show on earth!!!.......2006-04-11
This is the best show from the 80's better then airwolf, streethawk, and the rest. So go out and buy this dvd today. So go now and watch a show that was the 80's
Fantastic viewing!!.......2006-03-07
Having grown up watching Knight Rider on TV it's been fantastic to see the show finally begin to be released on DVD. This DVD of season 1 has higher quality visuals and sound than other DVD's of Knight Rider i have seen. It's great to be able to re-live all of the action and magic that this series brought to me as a child, and it's great to see that it's aged well.
All 21 episodes are in chronological order on 8 DVD's (although the Pilot episode is on disc 7 for some reason) and also includes the more recent made-for-tv movie - Knight Rider 2000. Other bonus features include photo stills, a behind the scenes featurette, info on how the Knight Rider theme was composed, a display of KITT's dash explaining what all the functions do and the humourous audio commentary over the Pilot episode from David Hasselhoff and Glen Larson which gives you a lot of interesting info you may not have noticed/known.
The only slight downside to this set is the lack of the cut scene's that are usually before each of the episodes, but since all that footage is in each episode anyway you're not really losing anything.
Definitely a must if you're a Knight Rider fan, and Amazon's price on this set is far far lower than anywhere else i have seen it, so go buy it right now!! I will definitely be buying the rest of the seasons when they are released!!
Amazon.co.uk Review
Murder by Decree has the distinction of being not only one of the best Sherlock Holmes films, but one of the best pastiches (i.e., a Holmes fiction created by someone other than author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) featuring the late-Victorian detective. Christopher Plummer is very good as Holmes, and James Mason redeems the many mishandled screen portrayals of Dr John Watson with a rare, insightful performance.
The story may not be unique in post-Doyle Holmes adventures--the private investigator pursues Jack the Ripper during the latter's murderous reign in foggy London--but the script by John Hopkins (Thunderball) is keenly intelligent, developing concentric circles of power and evil with great subtlety. Before losing himself in Porky's, director Bob Clark did a masterful job of surprising audiences with Murder by Decree, convincing viewers they were watching one kind of drama but then unleashing something very different, very unsettling. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews:
A STUDY IN EXCELLENCE.......2007-05-10
I first saw MURDER BY DECREE on tv about twenty years ago late one night in bed. I hadn't planned to watch it but, boy, was I glad I did. This is the best ever pairing of actors to play Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.
What we have here is a superbly atmospheric story with genuinely disturbing elements, and it compliments perfectly the spot-on performances by CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER and JAMES MASON. Hey, with this sort of pedigree in the thespian dept - including several neat turns from ANTHONY QUAYLE, JOHN GIELGUD and DAVID HEMMINGS - I can forgive the odd ropey model shot of smoky rooftops overlooking central London. (At least it wasn't a Toho Studios miniature c/w a giant green Moriarty.)
Plummer plays SHERLOCK HOLMES with a warmth and humanity not often seen on screen, and very nice it is, especially in the interplay with his colleague JOHN WATSON. Of course this bond was always evident in the books - that's partly why they remain so successful - but to those who still say JEREMY BRETT is the definitive article, well, on this evidence(!), they're just plain wrong. Check it out.
The plot about JACK THE RIPPER being a member of the Royal Family and the ensuing cover-up by the Government and Freemasons to throw Holmes off the trail is tautly handled and the action scenes are performed with gusto. Holmes is physically very proactive in this outing, being as equally assured with his weapons as his wits. The Ripper Murders are mildly gory but they're more disturbing than excessive - again, it's the thought of who might be doing them that leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
In all, then, a solid British/Canadian production not just worthy of those who love the genre, but for anyone who likes a classic period chiller. I'm a firm believer that any film you can watch more than twice is worth owning and MURDER BY DECREE fulfils that requirement many times over.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Holmes and Watson jack up The Ripper!.......2007-01-13
Though by no means a perfect Sherlock Holmes film, Bob Clark's Murder by Decree is an intelligent pastiche in which the Great Detective tracks down real-life murderer Jack the Ripper. This premise also informed the earlier A Study in Terror (1965), though this later movie is far more effective in terms of both suspenseful storytelling and emotional impact. That is manages to achieve this whilst subscribing to the most outlandish and unlikely of Ripper theories (it goes for the hoary `Royals and Freemasons' angle) makes it even more impressive. Those who write about this movie seem to either love or hate it; they either take exception to the characterisation of Sherlock Holmes and the attempts to weave him in amongst real-life events, or praise the opulent sets, direction, witty script, and outstanding performances. And though a Holmes fan, I can say that I fall firmly into the latter category; Christopher Plummer doesn't look or talk like the more obviously faithful interpretations by Peter Cushing or Jeremy Brett, but the fact is that their interpretations simply wouldn't have worked here, where Holmes is required to display a social conscience and outrage at the authority figures he holds responsible. Also, the film scores highly with an absolutely first-rate Dr Watson from James Mason, who not only avoids making the character a figure of fun, but also invests him with an innate, old-world decency that increases in importance as the movie progresses. Fine performances are given by Frank Finlay as Lestrade, David Hemmings, and Anthony Quayle, and though Donald Sutherland is rather oddly cast as an introverted medium, he is nowhere near as bad as some writers would have you think. The production design is consistently impressive, and Clark stages the murder scenes in horrific fashion, the raddled whores meeting their doom in a realistically squalid Whitechapel. A superior period thriller that overcomes the absurdity of its premise to make some telling comments about the abuse of power, Murder by Decree's premise ensures that it isn't beloved of Ripperologists, but it still stands up as the most intelligent film made on the subject.
Murdered by decree?.......2006-08-13
This film works well as fiction and Plummer/Mason make a good Holmes and Watson. The film is very atmospheric and creepy and good use is made of the remnants of parts of Victorian London.
Unlike the other reviewers I cannot pretend this is a good film, though
As fact it is hopeless. A few examples.
The clue of the grapes - no evidence for these being found at the scenes of the murders.
The revelation of the double murder did not occur until early on the following day - here it is announced as Holmes and Watson leave the theatre.
The Earl of Salisbury, here identified as the Prime Minister, was not a mason.
Warren did not have the side burns he has here (the existing photo of him does not show them).
Sir William Gull (not identified here by that name)could hardsly have been the Ripper - he was in his 70s an had recently suffered from a stroke.
Prince Albert Victor was out of the country when Annie Crook's child was conceived and there is no evidence he was the father.
Annie Crook was never incarcerated in an asylum in Reading, but in London, and she did not die until the early 20th century. Nor was she a Catholic and if she had married the Prince it would have been illegal as the Queen's consent would have been needed.
The radical copper did not exist.
The informant who is killed did not exist.
The evidence that Holmes produces at the end did not exist.
It also does not consider the probablility that Martha Tabram was the first Ripper victim, nor that alice McKenzie or Frances Coles might have been.
The idea that a carriage was going through Whitechapel at the dead of night is nonsense and in any case, no one at the time mentioned it.
No one also mentioned that the five women knew each other (here it is central to the plot).
The plot is based on the Stephen Knight book, Jack the Ripper:The Final Solution and a good demolition of his case is made by Donald Rumbelow
Of course you can argue that none of this matters if it is a good story. But since it appears to be factual it will appear so to anyone who does not have a good grasp of the facts, and so is very deceptive.
The best of both worlds !.......2005-08-16
Sherlock Holmes dealing with the infinitely debated Jack The Ripper crimes. What could be better ? Not much. This is a good film, atmospherically filmed in London's docklands before they were regenerated ! It is interesting to see the narrow street near the old clink prison used while it was still in disrepair. The cast is premier league old school - Christopher Plummer makes an excellent Holmes, and James Mason's Watson is as close to perfection as one can acheive. Anthony Quayle, John Geilgud and David Hemmings all appear in greater or lesser roles to add gravitas to the film.
Holmes is even shown to be emotional, almost shedding a tear over the fate of Annie Crook when he visits the asylum in which she is incarcerated. He also "loses it" briefly and attacks one of the doctors ! Very unlike Holmes as usually portrayed. It is a pleasant change to see Holmes move just slightly from the cold, analytical character he is usually represented as.
The masonic theory of the mystery is related convincingly, with a nice scene showing Prime Ministerial corruption triumphing even over the great Sherlock Holmes at the conclusion.
A good buy for a dark winter's evening view !
A decent attempt at Holmes.......2004-08-04
This film takes the core of one of the many Jack the Ripper theories (the masonic one) and assigns the uncovering of it to Sherlcok Holmes. An interesting idea, which clearly owes a debt to the 1964 production "A Study in terror" (to be fair, this is acknowledged with Frank Finaly repeating his portrayl of Lestrade)
The performacnes are acceptable, but, with the major players such as Trevor Howard, Abthony Quayle and John Gielguid it is clealry old english ham going through the motions.
The most appealing item of the film is the portrayal of Holmes and Watson by Plummer and Mason. Both are presented very well, and the relationship comes across as genuine and strong, allied with a good slice of humour.
Customer Reviews:
Amateurish pap.......2008-01-13
"This has nothing to do with sense!"
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