Description

By the fourth season, Norman Lear's landmark series ALL IN THE FAMILY was on its way to becoming an American institution. It consistently ranked number one in the ratings while at the same time breaking all of prime time TV's taboos. Archie Bunker's (Carroll O'Conner) shocking politically incorrect diatribes, marriage problems for Mike (Rob Reiner) and Gloria (Sally Struthers), a breast cancer scare for Edith (Jean Stapleton) all broke with sitcom conventions. In the fourth season, Archie was hilariously faced with two worthy new opponents: neighbor Irene Lorenzo (betty Garrett), a staunch believer in women's rights, and loud-mouthed George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), soon to star in the spin-off hit series "The Jeffersons." Rob Reiner won an Emmy® Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and the show was nominated for four other Emmy® Awards for the fourth season. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

SUBTITLES
It's bad that the season does not have subtitles, when is so important when you have deaf problems.
Should not this subtitles be a part of the standard procedures for the realeases ?

Thks

Yeah, picture quality is not great, but still a must-have!!!
Transfer is not great, but this series is a classic.Despite the lack of special features, this set is a must-have.Being able to watch the series develop from beginning to end is essential.The strength of AITF is in it's humorous spin on political and moral issues. The only reason I give this 4 stars instead of 5 is because of lack of attention to detail. The stories themselves sell this DVD box set.Personally, I can live without a bunch of extras as long as I get the uncut eps as they were aired.The Bunkers rule!!!

Still in full swing
Some people have noted that the decline starts with season 4. Everyone has different tastes, but to my mind, the show didn't 'jump the shark' until season 6 (and was pretty much unwatchable by season 9).

But (IMO) in season 4 the show still had legs. As one commentator complains, Mike's character changes. I, for one, welcome the 'change' since it simply (finally) sees that 'liberal' ideas can be just as closed minded and simple as the 'conservative' ideas Archie represents. The show used Mike and Gloria to expound on the writer's/creator's viewpoints, which always seemed too pat and self satisfied. I've always felt that after a few years they saw what they were peddling and took stock in what they were doing and pulled back a bit. Mike (and Gloria) became more individual and rounded and less as mouthpieces of a generation.

It was a refreshing turnabout in my opinion. Of course later in the series, the fatal late 70's, early 80's liberal pap took hold (just as it did with MASH) and became a hollow version of itself. Gone were the days of skewering social satire that was fun to watch even if I didn't fully buy into the anti-Archie side either. Just like with Alan Alda's hair, the more silver/white Archie's hair became, the less vital the comedy and commentary. You can pretty much tell the quality of the episode based on that indicator alone.

But, again, this is season 4, and there are plenty of good episodes "Archie in the Cellar", "Archie Eats and Runs", "Archie and the Computer", and "Mike's Graduation". There are some clinkers, "Gloria's Boyfriend" (painful to watch, overly simple tripe) "Gloria Sings the Blues" - basically anything with Gloria as the main focus, I guess. But all of the episodes still have the main ingredient of Archie going off. Still vital, and still funny.

Archie Meets His Maker (Twice) (Sort Of) In Season Four :-)
Season #4 of "All In The Family" includes many more memorable (and very funny) moments at the Bunker household. This three-disc DVD collection holds all 24 episodes from the fourth AITF season (1973-1974). There are eight shows on each of the three discs.

The season begins with Episode #62, "We're Having A Heat Wave", and continues through Episode 85, "Mike's Graduation" (which turns out to be a not-so-happy day after all for Archie). During the course of this fourth year of the popular sitcom, we get our first look at a new batch of Archie's neighbors -- George Jefferson and The Lorenzos (Irene and Frank) -- who prove to be worthy foes for the outspoken Archibald Bunker.

Other 4th-season highlights include: "Edith's Conversation", "Pay The Twenty Dollars", "Archie And The Computer", "Archie Eats And Runs", "The Games Bunkers Play", and "Second Honeymoon".

There's also Episode #71, "Archie In The Cellar" (aired November 17, 1973), which has a tipsy Archie Bunker confronting "God" in one of the most hilarious scenes in the show's long history -- "Forgive me Lord, the Jeffersons was right!" (LOL!)

The video quality on this DVD set is about the same as the previous AITF full-season collections (to my eyes anyway) -- not very sharp, but watchable. The shows were done on "tape" (not film), which accounts for the less-than-stellar picture quality I think.

There are no Special Features included here (except for some "Previews" for other Columbia/Sony TV-on-DVD products).

I like the inner packaging of this set. It's designed exactly like that of the third-season AITF collection, with the discs popping off their respective "hubs" (holders) without a Herculean effort required to remove them.

I have a couple of very minor complaints regarding the packaging, though. The innards of the case are very hard to remove from the outer slipcase. It's way too tight of a fit (at least the copy I received is like this, with a series of vigorous and annoying "shakes" of the case needed to even begin to get that inner case separated from its slipcase).

What happened to the idea of the recessed "finger slots" that have been utilized on some previous DVD boxed-set packaging, including AITF Season #2? That AITF set has slots cut out of the slipcase box for easy removal of the case's innards. Those finger slots sure would have proved useful on this fourth-season box.

Another extremely nit-picky quibble is regarding the cover art used for this AITF set. The photo of Edith (Jean Stapleton) is just awful, IMHO. She wins the "goofy look of the year" award with that pose. I know she's supposed to be a "ding-bat" in the series, but I would think a more flattering picture would be available in the archives someplace. This retarded-looking image of Edith is also repeated on the Main Menu of each disc. Oh well ... as I said, it's just a minor complaint. :-)

Foul Language Warning -- A hunk of very foul language coming from the lips of Archie Bunker (which would normally not get past the TV censors, circa 1973) remains intact on the soundtrack of the first episode of this boxed set ("We're Having A Heat Wave"). Worse language than usual for Archie, that is. At about the 07:50 mark into that show, Archie screams one of the few taboo words that you still can't say on TV even nowadays. Hard to believe that this expletive (with the initials "G.D.") was actually allowed to be aired. But, evidently, it was permitted, for some reason.


Other information about this set......................

VIDEO -- Full Frame TV ratio (1.33:1). In color.
AUDIO -- 2.0 Dolby Digital Mono (English only).
SUBTITLES? -- No.
"PLAY ALL" FEATURE? -- Yes.
ANIMATED MENUS? -- No. The Menus are all "static" in nature. No music.
CHAPTER BREAKS INCLUDED? -- Yes.
CHAPTER BREAK IMMEDIATELY AFTER ANNOYING OPENING THEME SONG? -- Yes. (Thank the Maker.) :-)
PAPER INSERT INCLUDED? -- Yes. A fold-out type of booklet/episode guide.
DISC TYPE -- Single-sided / Dual-layered (with disc art adorning each platter).
PACKAGING TYPE -- 3-panel "Digipak" case, with outer cardboard box.

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Season Four of "All In The Family" provides another solid year of laughs (and a few teardrops along the way too). It doesn't rank quite as high on my "favorite years" list as some other seasons of the series, and the DVD picture quality here is certainly nothing to write home about, but it's still a good year's worth of episodes with Archie and family nevertheless.

One of the greatest shows in TV history!
The #1 Nielsen rated program from 1971 to 1976, All In The Family is quite simply one of the greatest television programs in history. Inspired by The Honeymooners and The Flintstones, All In The Family features its own loud-mouthed, opinionated blowhard sporting a hidden soft and sensitive side. Like Ralph Kramden and Fred Flintstone, Archie Bunker fulfills his role to absolute perfection, and the result is TV magic. Well-written and outright hilarious, All In The Family broke ground in the 70's with its willingness to tackle all the social issues and societal taboos of its day. Topics included racism, bigotry, sexism, homosexuality, death, and other namby-pam, socialist and liberal-feminist ideals (or at least that's how Archie would put it!) A titan among television sitcoms, All In The Family spawned a pair of shows which topped the ratings in their own right - Maude and The Jeffersons...

Carroll O'Connor plays the role of Archie Bunker, the titular head of the Bunker household. Loud and crass, Archie freely dispenses his bigoted remarks and ignorant comments from the living room of his Queens, New York home. Joining Archie is his loving and ditsy wife Edith (Jean Stapelton), his beautiful and progressive daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers), and her ultra-liberal husband Mike (Rob Reiner) whom Archie refers to as "Meathead". As Gloria and Mike's modern ideas clash with Archie's old school beliefs, all hell breaks loose in the Bunker household, but the Bunkers don't spend all their time arguing as they're inevitably held together by the immutable bond of love...

The All In The Family (Season 4) DVD features a number of hilarious episodes including the season premiere "We're Having a Heat Wave" in which Archie and Henry Jefferson (both for different reasons) try to prevent the Lorenzos, a Hispanic family, from moving into the house next door which just went up for sale... Other notable episodes from Season 4 include "Archie and the Kiss" in which Gloria brings home a Rodin-inspired centerpiece much to Archie's chagrin, and "Edith's Conversation" in which Archie fears that Irene Lorenzo is attempting to convert Edith to Catholicism...

Below is a list of episodes included on the All In The Family (Season 4) DVD:

Episode 62 (We're Having a Heat Wave)
Episode 63 (We're Still Having a Heat Wave)
Episode 64 (Edith Finds an Old Man)
Episode 65 (Archie and the Kiss)
Episode 66 (Archie, the Gambler)
Episode 67 (Henry's Farewell)
Episode 68 (Archie and the Computer)
Episode 69 (The Games Bunkers Play)
Episode 70 (Edith's Conversation)
Episode 71 (Archie in the Cellar)
Episode 72 (Black is the Color of My True Love's Whig)
Episode 73 (Second Honeymoon)
Episode 74 (The Taxi Caper)
Episode 75 (Archie is Cursed)
Episode 76 (Edith's Christmas Story)
Episode 77 (Mike and Gloria Mix It Up)
Episode 78 (Archie Feels Left Out)
Episode 79 (Et Tu, Archie?)
Episode 80 (Gloria's Boyfriend)
Episode 81 (Lionel's Engagement)
Episode 82 (Archie Eats and Runs)
Episode 83 (Gloria Sings the Blues)
Episode 84 (Pay the Twenty Dollars)
Episode 85 (Mike's Graduation)

The DVD Report ... Read more

Amazon.com

Boy, the way the Beaver played. Ricky Nelson made the hit parade. Voices they were seldom raised. Those were the days. And then, on January 12, 1971, America met the Bunkers, and sitcoms would never be the same. The Bunkers were TV's first dysfunctional family: blue-collar bigot Archie (the late Carroll O'Connor in his iconic role), his long-suffering but loving wife Edith (Jean Stapleton), "little goil" Gloria (Sally Struthers), and her liberal husband "Meathead" Mike (Rob Reiner). Series creator Norman Lear broke near every rule and taboo in adapting the British series "Till Death Do Us Part" for American television. The series pilot, "Meet the Bunkers," was a bracing shocker that dared to find humor in prejudice. Archie dispenses racial epithets and ethnic slurs. Mike and Gloria clearly have an active sex life, while Edith, in the pilot at any rate, is more "pip" than "dingbat." In its first season, the series refused to, in Archie's words, "stifle" itself, tackling such hot-button topics as homophobia ("Judging Books by Covers"), racism ("Lionel Moves into the Neighborhood"), feminism ("Gloria Discovers Women's Lib"), and the generation gap (the touching "Success Story," with William Windom as Archie's former army buddy, a successful man who is revealed to be estranged from his son). All in the Family was a rich human comedy. Brought to life by a peerless ensemble, these characters would come to feel like family. Their foibles produced some of television's biggest laughs. They could also make us cry, as with the heartbreaking "Gloria's Pregnancy." Another series landmark is the season finale, "The First and Last Supper," in which we meet Isabel Sanford's Louise Jefferson (but, hilariously, not her husband, George). All in the Family was an instant lightning rod for controversy but went on to earn the comedy Emmy Award in its first year. This three-disc set has no extras (future sets will hopefully contain commentary by Lear or surviving cast members), but each episode is presented complete and uncut, restoring the funny, sometimes touching codas that were cut for syndication. --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (48)

Loved it
This sitcom aired on cbs from 1971-1979 and I'm glad to see that it finally arrived on dvd.This is a 3 disc set and has almost the entire season 1 on it.The following episodes on this disc are:Disc 1(1) Meet The Bunkers(2) Writing The President(3) Oh My Aching Back(4) Judging Books By Covers Disc 2(5) Archie Gives Blood(6) Gloria's Pregnancy(7) Mike's Hippie Friends come to visit (8) Lionel Moves Into The Neiborhood Disc 3(9) Edith Has Jury Duty(10) Archie Is Worried About His Job (11) Gloria Discovers Womens Lib (12) Success Story (13) The First and Last Supper All of these are very funny.Although the video on this dvd doesn't look as crisp as most it still looks better than it does on cable.I've never seen it look this good.This was recorded on video tape and not film so It's understandable that it's not as sharp as most dvds as the tape they used was very old.Their were a few dissapointments however.They are as follows:1 The pilot is missing 2 The sound isn't that loud.I had to cut the tv up during the show.But once you cut it up it sounds ok.But when you first load the disc make sure the volume is low as the columbia tristar presentation is pretty loud.3 No Chapter Stops 4 No Play All Feature 5 No Extras 6 Episodes are spread over 3 disc. 7 The trifold packaging which doesn't shut completly living disc 1 vaunrauble to dust.Also disc are hard to get out from the packaging.8 Clear disc surface which leaves top layer of disc vaunrable to finger prints.Columbia if your reading this improve the packaging for season 2.If your a big fan of this show like me these negatives hardly make a difference.After all these shows will last forever on dvd and won't wear out.Also these episodes are uncut and comercial free.The only features on this disc are episode selection and subtitle selection.I can hardley wait for AITF season 2 to come out.With the advent of tv shows on dvd I would hope to see Alf,The Golden Girls,Night Court,Three's Company and Seinfield.If you love All In The Family I highley reccomend this dvd.

One of the best classic TV shows.
Debuting as a mid-season replacement series on January 12, 1971, All in the Family became one of the most influential comedies in TV history and made an immediate impact on the entire television industry. The sitcom revolves around blue-collar worker Archie Bunker (played by the beloved Carroll O'Connor) and his family. A bigot, Archie makes no bones about his racial and political views. His wife Edith, who he refers to as Dingbat, is ditzy, but her sweetness and good heart provide a perfect balance for the harsh character of Archie. Also residing in the Bunker house is Archie's daughter Gloria and her husband Michael. Some of the greatest commentary and comedic moments come from the verbal sparring between the narrow-minded Archie and the thoughtful, liberal Meathead.

In this collection, you'll be getting the following episodes:

1. "Meet The Bunkers"- It's Archie and Edith's wedding anniversary, so Gloria and Mike try to whip up a party atmosphere for them.

2. "Writing the President"- Upon learning that Mike has written a letter of criticism to President Nixon, Archie becomes so upset that he writes a letter of his own in praise of Nixon.

3. "Oh, My Aching Back"- Archie tries to sue for whiplash after a minor auto accident and seeks out a Jewish lawyer to fight the case for him.

4. "Archie Gives Blood"- Archie becomes a blood donor, but he insists on knowing who the blood will be going to because his theory is "black blood" is different from "white blood."

5. "Judging Books By Covers"- Archie ridicules one of Mike and Gloria's friends for being gay.

6. "Gloria's Pregnancy"- Archie goes through the ceiling when he finds out that Gloria is going to have a baby and Mike has no means of supporting the child.

7. "Mike's Hippie Friends Come To Visit"- Mike invites a young couple to spend the night at the Bunker house, but runs into objections when Archie finds out the visitors are not married.

8. "Lionel Moves Into The Neighborhood"- Archie tries to prevent a black family from moving into his neighborhood. The family turns out to be the Bunkers' friend Lionel Jefferson and his parents.

9. "Edith Has Jury Duty"- Over Archie's objection, Edith accepts a call to serve on a jury hearing a murder case which may keep her away from home for weeks.

10. "Archie Is Worried About His Job"- Archie spends a sleepless night worrying because he thinks he's about to lose his job.

11. "Gloria Discovers Women's Lib"- Gloria discovers Women's Lib and winds up moving out of the Bunker household after an argument with Mike during which she demands that he treat her as an equal.

12. "Success Story"- After Eddie Frazier, a wealthy friend of Archie's, arrives from Beverly Hills, Archie organizes a reunion of their old army buddies.

13. "The First And Last Supper"- At the same time that Archie is circulating a petition to keep more black families from moving into the neighborhood, Edith accepts an invitation to have dinner with the Jeffersons. So, Archie tries to get out of the engagement by claiming Edith has sprained her ankle.

get into all in the family
13 episodes not good dvd extras

GROUNDBREAKING
TV shows began to veer into social territory in the 1970s, especially "All In the Family". Carroll O'Connor played Archie Bunker, the epitome of everything liberals despise. In turning him into a cartoon character, and also because O'Connor's acting skills were extraordinary, they came close to overshooting their mark and making Bunker more popular than creator Norman Lear, a liberal's liberal, wanted him to be. Since that meant success and riches, however, Bunker was allowed to develop his own little cult of personality. Bunker liked nobody except the Republicans and Nixon. He was a New York construction hardhat, like the ones who cheered Nixon. His venom was directed at blacks, Jews, Puerto Ricans, Orientals, Europeans, Catholics, gays, Democrats, liberals, Communists, and everybody. The assumption was that he was a Protestant of English or Irish origin, but the writers wrote in his complaints for "drunken Irishmen" and "fag Englishmen." His view of God was that if you did not believe in Him you were a Communist, but beyond that little was explained. His son-in-law, Rob Reiner, ate him out of house and home, exasperating Bunker with liberal nostrums. His wife, Edith, was a dunce who did not stand up to him unless the writers decided that night's episode would feature women's rights, but the next time out she was back to her mousy self.
Bunker's "castle" was constantly invaded by a host of blacks, women, Hispanics and other minority-types from the New York "melting pot," all of them smarter than Arch and able to run rings around him intellectually. The only characters outside of Edith who stooped to his low IQ were his dumbass white bowling and lodge pals. The show worked, for one thing, because after years of racial intolerance, white America was ready to loosen up, laugh at themselves, and accept a little affirmative action comedy at their expense. It also worked because Bunker developed a cult status that Lear had not predicted. There were those who agreed with his views, and sitting at home these Joe Six-Packs spent the 1970s yelling, "You tell 'em, Arch."

(...)

"Gee, Our Old LaSalle Ran Great..."
When I was a kid growing up in the 1970s, my parents were forever trying to get me to read a 'good book' or go outside to get some fresh air and excercise (this didn't seem to stop me from lapping up endless episodes of "Mannix" & "Room 222"). "Boob-tubing" as my father like to call it, was seriously frowned apon. But every Saturday night, like clockwork, my whole family gathered around our little 19", b&w set with rabbit ears to view the further comedic TV exploits, that took place in the 704 Hauser St. living room between Archie, Edith, "Meathead" and the "Little Goil". My family and the rest of the American television viewing audience had never seen anything like "All in the Family". It was a well written, hilarious, TV sitcom performed by a talented group of actors about the serious issues of the day, using some very 'frank' language. This wasn't about if Mr. Clampett would take his money out of Mr. Drysdale's bank. Nor was it about creating a radio out of coconuts to get off of a tropical island. Instead Archie and the rest of the Bunkers screamed and argued about the Vietnam War, politics, the economy, race relations, women's lib, homosexuality, religion, student protest Etc. We had never seen anything like this. And you know what? It was really good! Norman Lear's teleplays were well written, emotionally moving and very funny as they drove home the topical issues of the day.This was a historic first in the world of TV sitcoms! It also helped that the show had one of the best television acting ensembles (with exception to "The Mary Tyler Moore Show") of the 1970s. The characters created by actors Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner & Sally Struthers will forever go down in television history. Now finally, the Emmy award winning show is being put out season by season to the DVD format. In this first season we get to see the early creation of the characters. Archie isn't as mellow as his later incarnations (he uses some pretty course, racist language). Edith isn't as sweet and 'dingbat-like' in her persona. We get great episodes like the premiere ("Meet the Bunkers") as well as comic classics like the episode where the Jeffersons move next door ("Lionel Moves into the Neighborhood"). My personal favorite is "Gloria's Pregnancy". In that episode we get to see a more tender side of Archie Bunker after Gloria suffers a miscarriage.As for the DVD itself, the picture quality is only fair. No extras are provided, which is a shame since I think fans would love to have some commentaries from Producer, Norman Lear and the cast. Even so, I would highly recommend this excellent, historic, TV comedy be made a part of any DVD collection! ... Read more

Amazon.com

With a new time slot (8:00 p.m. Saturdays) and three first-seasonEmmys®, All in the Family was primed for greatness, and these 24 episodesrepresent the series at its best. Carroll O'Connor leads the perfect cast asblue-collar bigot Archie Bunker, and the standout classic is "Sammy's Visit," inwhich black, Jewish rat-packer Sammy Davis Jr. visits the Bunker home, wherehe's hilariously horrified by Archie's prejudicial ignorance. The script waswritten by comedian Bill ("José Jiminez") Dana, and to borrow Archie's phrase,it's a pip, as Sammy turns Archie's racist remarks on their ear to the delightof young liberals Gloria (Sally Struthers) and husband Mike (Rob Reiner).Sammy's parting kiss on Archie's cheek is one of the series' all-timehighlights. Then there's Burt Styler's Emmy-winning script for "Edith'sProblem," in which Archie's "Dingbat" wife experiences the mood swings ofmenopause (another first, along with impotence in "Mike's Problem," in theseries' taboo-busting candor). A showcase for Jean Stapleton (who deservedly wonher second consecutive Emmy), it also demonstrates (as does "Archie and EdithAlone") the hurtful repercussions of Archie's unintentional cruelty. Edith'sArchie-baiting cousin Maude (Bea Arthur) is introduced ("Maude" is a pilot forthe character's spin-off sitcom, which premiered in '72), and credit mustbe given to John Rich, who directed all 24 episodes (winning an Emmy for"Sammy's Visit") with a flawless sense of ensemble chemistry, precision timing,and lasting political relevance. This season earned seven Emmys overall,including awards for O'Connor and Struthers. Given such a wealth of sitcomglory, it's a shame these DVDs are devoid of retrospective features. --JeffShannon ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Boy, The Way The Bunkers Played
The second season of All In The Family saw the series start to come into its own. All american everyman Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor) was a bit more defined as a character. In fact the role was so well written and performed that in the course of a single episode, you could find yourself seeing a little bit of someone you know, or perhaps a bit of youself in him. The rest of the cast gelled too. The enire cast gave us "real" people to connect with and get to know, like or dislike. These were flawed folks. The show's penchant for tackling serious subjects, within a sit-com format continued What was considered taboo for television a decade earlier was common for disscussion on the show The season saw the Bunkers talk about menopause, racial profiling, politics and more. Series fan Sammy Davis Jr. played himself in a classic episode. Edith's (Jean Stapleton) very libreral and opinionated cousin Maude (Beatrice Arthur) came by in yet another highlight. By year's end, the show was the top rated program in the United States

The 2nd season DVD box set features all 24 episodes of the year. However, other than a booklet featuring episode summaries, there are no other extras. It would have been nice to include something else on the discs After all, the show that broke new ground for tv sit-coms deserves a bit better. Nonetheless, the set is recommended, especially for fans of the show

For Season 2 of All in the Family its personal not political
All things considered, the Second Season of "All in the Family" ends up being the best year of the classic situation comedy that gave birth to the Relevance Era of prime-time television programming. After all, the show was originally a mid-season replacement and there were only 13 episodes that first season. In 1971-72 "All in the Family" was the top-rated program on television, earning a 34.0 Nielsen rating, and winning second consecutive Emmy awards for Outstanding Series: Comedy and Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series: Jean Stapleton, as well as Carroll O'Connor's first Emmy for acting, one for Sally Strothers in her supporting role, and the awards for Directing (John Rich for "Sammy's Visit") and Writing (Burt Styler for "Edith's Problem"). Poor Rob Reiner, the forgotten figure in the ensemble (as if being Carl Reiner's son was not enough of an onus).

The second season continues to provide the ranting and raving of Archie Bunker, but it is the entire family that emerges in these two dozen episodes as we get beyond Archie arguing with Mike, telling Edith to stifle, and Gloria to stop crying . There are also the show's most notable guest stars in terms of Sammy Davis, Jr., David Soul, Cleavon Little, Beatrice Arthur, and, in one episode ("The Elevator Story," January 1, 1972) Roscoe Lee Brown, Eileen Brennan, and Hector Elizondo. Clearly this was the hottest show on television and the entire idea of Archie driving a cab part-time was used mainly to set up an excuse for Archie Bunker to meet Sammy Davis, Jr.

There are several possibilities for the key episode in Season Two, including "Flashback: Mike Meets Archie" (October 16, 1971) where we discover that even when Archie drove Mike from the house by singing "God Bless America," the conflict between the two is much more father and son-in-law than ideology. Life continues to deal Archie a series of blows at the start of the season as his sponging cousin Oscar drops dead in the bedroom upstairs ("The Saga of Cousin Oscar," September 18, 1971), he is arrested along with a group of radicals at a protest rally ("Archie in the Lock-Up," October 2, 1971), and his house is broken into ("Edith Writes a Song," October 9, 1971). But the biggest problems come from his wife, Edith, who suddenly becomes moody and irritable as she beings menopause ("Edith's Problem," January 8, 1972), and Edith's radical liberal cousin, Maude ("Cousin Maude's Visit," December 11, 1971). However, the sweetest moment of the season comes with the Bunkers dancing to "The Moonlight Serenade" after they are forced to live on their own for a week with the kids out of time ("Archie and Edith Alone," February 5, 1972).

Mike has enough troubles without taking into account his constant verbal sparring with Archie. Gloria poses in the nude for one of his artist friends ("Gloria Poses in the Nude," September 25, 1971), has an old girlfriend dumping off a four-year-old boy she claims is his son ("Mike's Mysterious Son," January 22, 1972), and becomes temporarily impotent worrying about his grades ("Mike's Problem," November 20, 1971), in what was the most controversial episode since the show's original pilot because of the, uh, touchy subject. Although it was a supporting part, the show did puncture Mike's liberal views the same way it did Archie's conservative diatribes.

If anyone emerges from Archie's shadow it was Edith, who asserts her individuality by leaving a note on a car after she accidentally dents it with a large can of cling peaches (in heavy syrup) ("Edith's Accident," November 6, 1971), and who ends up arbitrating a dispute between her husband and the owner of the Laundromat (Jack Weston), who knows Edith is honest, even if Archie does not ("Edith the Judge," February 26, 1972). I always thought that Carroll O'Connor's mugging grew over the years as an attempt to stop Jean Stapleton from constantly stealing every scene from him.

However, if there is anybody who takes Archie down a peg or two during the second season, it is Archie himself. It is Archie who has let his voter registration lapse ("The Election Story," October 30, 1971), Archie who lays off the wrong person at the loading dock when he picks the Puerto Rican instead of Stretch Cunningham ("The Insurance is Cancelled," November 27, 1971), Archie who loses his Christmas Bonus ("Christmas Day at the Bunkers," December 18, 1971), who betrays a long-standing friendship ("Archie and the FBI," January 15, 1972), and who refuses to get involved when he witnesses a mugging ("Archie Sees a Mugging," January 29, 1972). Still, there were those who thought Archie Bunker was the conscience of the nation, and applauded his conservative politics ("The Man in the Street," December 4, 1971).

By the time Season Two ended with what was the pilot for the spin-off series "Maude" (March 11, 1972), with the Bunkers attending the wedding of Maude's daughter Carole (who was played by Marcia Rodd and not Adrienne Barbeau at that point), "All in the Family" was the best show on television. It is the only series in the history of television to finish #1 in the Nielsen ratings five seasons in a row. "I Love Lucy" did not do that and neither did "Gunsmoke" or "The Cosby Show." But then all of those shows had an impact on their respective genres while "All in the Family" made relevant topics viable on every program on the tube.

Why is "The Man in the Street" skipping?
This has been an awesome ride, watching these classic episodes night after night without commercials! Much funnier than I expected after all these years.

But, the quality of the DVD discs sure could have been better. For some reason I can't seem to get through the episode entitled "The Man in the Street" without the picture freezing. Then it dumps me back to the main menu. UGH!
There are no chapter breaks on these DVD's "inside" of an episode, so it looks like I am stuck with a bum disc and no chance of seeing that specific episode in it's entirety.

And why can't we have SOME extras?

I've got The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Season One (which sad to say has been the only season released so far on DVD)and they did a great job with extras.

I can't understand why there are no extras on these DVD's?

Ther than that ... four stars. And even knowing about these flaws in advance I still would be buying set after set of these DVD's.

Should've been a five star set though.

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High Quality DVD & Package
The DVD quality is excellent, very clear. Each DVD is locked into the same case which unfolds. I must say I do prefer the collections that each DVD has their own case, as in the Lost In Space Edition, but still a very nice package. My only other complaint is the DVD locking is very difficult to get them out, I have to be extra careful when taking them out of their package locks as it is very tight. All and all, I would recommend this collection to fans.

Season 3 on the way !!!!!
FINALLY,FINALLY,FINALLY, SEASON 3 IS BEING REALEASED JULY 20TH. 2004. I have waited for over a year to see the 3rd season..I guess SONY Pictures finally listened to us and did the right thing..I cannot wait for this release in hopes that seasons 4 and 5 are not far behind... Please SONY do not make us wait that long again!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (89)

"To a New Yorker like you...a hero is some kind of sandwich"
Exciting, humourous and well paced WWII action film sees Clint Eastwood and Co. looking to liberate $16 million worth of gold bullion from the retreating Nazi forces in Europe !

Director Brian G. Hutton (who directed Clint in the WWII thriller "Where Eagles Dare") is at the helm of this movie and again demonstrates his passion for fiery, loud battle scenes !!

Eastwood plays Kelly...just another war weary soldier slogging through the muddy battlefields of France until he comes across a German colonel and top secret information about a bank full of plundered Nazi bullion...now all he needs is a skilled team to carry out this most audacious of bank heists in the middle of a war ! Kelly enlists the assistance of tank commanding flower child "Oddball", (Donald Sutherland in an unforgettable performance ) fast talking hustler "Crap Game" ( I don't think Don Rickles was acting ! ), battle hardened sergeant "Big Joe" ( Telly Savalas )....along with a motley crew of troops including Harry Dean Stanton as "Willard" and Jeff Morris as "Cowboy".

I know some reviewers tend to be a bit critical of some of the humourous aspects of this movie....but what the heck...it's not trying to be "All Quiet on the Western Front" or "Paths of Glory"...the movie is a fictional tale about an elaborate bank heist thrown in amongst a very noisy war, and peopled with some larger than life colorful characters. "Kelly's Heroes" is an enjoyable little cult film and is a fun way to spend a lazy evening watching a "Boys Own" action adventure.

Great to finally have "Kellys Heroes" out on DVD (although a few extra goodies would have been nice)....picture and sound quality is very good...and I always enjoy "The Mike Curb Congregation" singing "Burning Bridges" (the film's theme track)......

Classic Army Comedy
Very enjoyable comedy about a platoon of Army soldiers who set out to steal gold bars in a bank behind German lines during WW II. The movie takes place after D-Day when a Private, portrayed by Clint Eastwood, finds out that there is a huge stash of gold in a bank deep in enemy territory. The humor is centered around the lackluster group of soldiers he rounds up to penetrate German lines in a mission to retrieve the prize. What really makes the movie work are the actors: Donald Sutherland (a hippy tanker if you can believe that), Telly Savalas (the strong, reluctant platoon sergeant), Don Rickles (the scheming supply sergeant), and Carrol O'Connor (the division commander who has been trying to get the infantry division on the move). Although funny, it still has it's somber moments when the soldiers and tankers run into the enemy as they advance towards their objective, but it's not too violent nor bloody as recent movies with WW II themes. Previous reviewers have remarked how well done the production sets are with uniforms and equipment, and they are pretty impressive considering this is only a comedy. Interesting remarks about the Tiger Tanks, they probably are modified T-34s considering that they do not have front drive sprockets that original Tigers had, nor do they have the over-lapping road wheel suspension. Plus the turrets of these tanks sit forward on the chassis just like T-34s, regardless of these picky comments, they do almost like the real thing. An enjoyable movie and it has a lively soundtrack that compliments the plot very well.

Great entertainment,, with WWII backgound

Studio: Warner Studios
Video Release Date: November 6, 2001

Cast:

Clint Eastwood ... Pvt. Kelly
Telly Savalas ... Master Sgt. Big Joe
Don Rickles ... Staff Sgt. Crapgame
Carroll O'Connor ... Major General Colt
Donald Sutherland ... Sgt. Oddball, Tank Commander
Gavin MacLeod ... Moriarty, Tank crewman
Hal Buckley ... Captain Maitland
Stuart Margolin ... Pvt. Little Joe
Jeff Morris ... Pvt. Cowboy
Richard Davalos ... Pvt. Gutowski
Perry Lopez ... Pvt. Petuko
Tom Troupe ... Cpl. Job
Harry Dean Stanton ... Pvt. Willard
Dick Balduzzi ... Pvt. Fisher
Gene Collins ... Pvt. Babra
Len Lesser ... Platoon Sgt. Bellamy 42nd Engineers
David Hurst ... Colonel Dumpkoppf
Fred Pearlman ... Pvt. Mitchell
Michael Clark ... Pvt. Grace
George Fargo ... Pvt. Penn
Dee Pollock ... Pvt. Jonesey
George Savalas ... 1st Sgt. Mulligan, Artillery Unit
John G. Heller ... German Lieutenant
Shepherd Sanders ... Turk, Tank crewman
Karl-Otto Alberty ... German Tank Commander
Ross Elliott ... Major Booker, Gen. Colt's Staff Communications Officer
Phil Adams ... Pvt. Whiskey
Hugo De Vernier ... French mayor
Frank J. Garlotta ... Tanker
Harry Goines ... Supply sergeant
David Gross ... German Captain
Sandy Kevin ... Mo
James McHale ... Guest
Robert MacNamara ... Major Roach, Gen. Colt's Staff
Reed Morgan ... U.S. lieutenant
Tom Signorelli ... Sgt. Bonsor, Gen. Colt's Staff
Donald Waugh ... Roamer, Gen. Colt's Staff

Vincent Maracecchi ... Old man in town
Tony Wheeler ... Cpl., General Colt's Driver

This film is rich with humor, as well as suspense. Kelly (Eastwood) learns about a bank full of gold bars, in Germany behind enemy lines. He gets together a mixed bag of what can only be called losers and misfits, appropriates a tank, and heads for the gold. The ensuing struggle to get rich provides the motivation which keeps the motley band together.

Donald Sutherland ("oddball"), the hippy tanker, is the source of much humor, as well as Don Rickles ("Crapgame"), and (believe it or not) Carroll O.Connor as the general.

This is a funny movie, with more than a little action. Nothing offensive.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

Off-beat WW2 classic with all-star cast!
This is definitely one of the funniest war movies of all time! Donald Sutherland, who plays a hippie(!) tank commander, seems out of place in a WW2 setting. However, he had me laughing the whole way through! I can't imagine what this film would be like without his hysterical performance. One of my favorite scenes is when Sutherland's three Sherman tanks attack a Nazi railroad station while playing Hank Williams' music on a loud speaker! I realize that this "WW2 movie" has a definite 70's feel to it (especially with one of the hit songs of the decade, Burning Bridges), & some don't like this movie for that reason. I can't help but have fun everytime I see this! The tanks, even the German ones, look much more authentic than those in Patton or The Battle of the Bulge. This is a real treat for WW2 tank buffs like me who appreciate authenticity. I know the plot is hokey, but who cares? If you want to see a war movie that isn't depressing (like most) or boring then this is for you!

Action packed and funny
Another "tough-guy" film that is sure to entertain you over and over again. Starring Clint Eastwood as the demoted Sgt. Kelly, Telly Savalas as "Big Joe", also starring Don Rickles, Donald Sutherland, Carol O'Connor and Dean Stanton. Truely great action packed film with lots of dry humour. Donald Sutherland looks like he's spent the last 5 years in San Fransisco than an actual Tank commander. I recommend this film. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The enduring appeal of one of television's best and most controversial programs comes through loud (literally) and clear on All in the Family: The Complete Third Season, some 10 hours of compelling, entertaining viewing that serve as a timely reminder that even as TV in the new millennium has seemingly become more diverse and inclusive, with its many gay-themed shows and, gasp, proliferation of all manner of minorities, it has lost the kind of bite that the beloved (well, by some folks, anyway) bigot Archie Bunker used to bring to the small screen.

All 24 episodes (there is no bonus material or extra features) from the '72-'73 season of executive producer Norman Lear's sitcom are contained here, and those unfamiliar with the show may well find them a bit startling. The language is part of it; Archie's frequent use of terms like "gook" and "fag" would never pass muster in these politically correct times. Yet even more striking is All in the Family's subject matter. Again and again, serious themes like politics (the '72 presidential race, pitting Richard Nixon against George McGovern, is mentioned frequently), racism ("Archie in the Hospital" is just one episode dealing with that issue), the death penalty and violence in the name of religion ("Archie Is Branded"), sexual assault ("Gloria, the Victim"), and gun control ("Archie and the Editorial") are handled with remarkable frankness.At the center of it all, of course, is Carroll O'Connor's Archie, who remains belligerent, boorish, and downright mean to the bitter end. Whether he's bribing an IRS agent, cheating an insurance company, or just being pig-headed in general, Archie is utterly unrepentant; basically, he never does the right thing, a trait that's somehow both irritating and refreshing.

All in the Family is hardly perfect; the dysfunctional family's ceaseless squabbling and shouting--usually involving Archie and liberal son-in-law Mike Stivic (Rob Reiner), although wife Edith (the brilliant Jean Stapleton) and daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers) aren't immune--eventually becomes tiresome and shrill. But for the most part, the show's acting, writing (which manages to be very funny as well as incisive), and point of view make this set a must-have. --Sam Graham ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The 3rd Season is finally here! Thanks Columbia Tri-Star!
After rumour that Columbia Tri-Star had pulled the plug on future DVD releases of this classic series, I was ecstatic when I discovered a July 20, 2004 release date for season 3. All in the Family was the first sitcom to use humour to expose societal shortcomings. AIF makes us laugh, but as the series progresses we are not laughing so much at the Bunker family, but at the narrow-mindedness of some of the groups of people from our generation and many from generations before us. It is special, especially for those of us 30 and above who better understand the show's humour as it relates to political and social change. I do believe the show first and foremost helps us to laugh away our everyday stresses, but there is no doubt Mr. Lear's underlying theme was exposing intolerance. No other sitcom has impacted American culture in such a way, with maybe the exception of M*A*S*H*. Today's sitcoms don't hold a torch to shows like AIF. Thank you Columbia Tri-Star for realizing this and for treating this ground-breaking show with the respect it deserves by continuing with releases on DVD. I look forward to owning every season and watching the entire series from beginning to end.

Eddie Ortiz
Nice way to paintbrush us all. I am a Christian conservative and absolutely love All In The Family. One of the best shows ever. I see that the one thing that you've unfortunately learned from this show is intolerance. Hopefully, you don't pass that along to your students.

Brilliant TV Season 3
All in the Family is a show that would be enjoyed by most people. However, for people who truly understand and appreciate what this show was trying to do, it is must have television. I am a history teacher and I have used some of these episodes to illustrate to my students some of the political, religious, social issues of the 1970's. A lot of the humorous dialogue has to be explained because if you are under thirty years old, it just doesn't translate as well or is just isn't as funny as it would be to someone who lived during this era in America. The great thing about this series is that it is hilarious but at the same time there is a very sad undertone to the series. It's hard to explain but All in the Family has a soul that I just don't sense in modern comedies like "Friends" or "Everybody loves Raymond". Those shows are funny but very Hollywood. Watching All in the Family makes you feel like you are eavesdropping on the life of a real family. Sadly, no show will ever be as controversial today because conservatives, especially religious conservatives, would threaten to boycott any of the shows sponsors. Could you imagine a character like "Mike" (critical of the religion, government, war, the police, the pledge of allegiance / God Bless America, race relations, etc.) existing in today's post 9/11 world. We have gone from a show like this that makes you laugh, cry, and most importantly think to reality comedies like "Simple life" and "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance". Now that I think about it, I recommend you buy two copies just in case one scratches you don't want to be stuck watching lost episodes of "Fear Factor".

classic TV
as tight&stif as CBS is a very Conservative vibe it's truly amazing a Ground Breaking show such as "All In the Family" made it's way on that Network.nothing was off limits.all subject matters&Issues were mentioned&Nothing was left unturned. the 3rd Season just like the first couple was Ground Breaking&introduced the Jeffersons to Viewers.a must have collection.

Finally! Season 3 is coming soon!
Like the second, the third season of AITF is one of the best. I doubt there will be any special interviews, segments, or even scene selections, but I still think this season is long overdue. The 'swastika' and 'swingers' episode is reason enough to buy this collection. I wish there was a politically charged, wonderfully written and acted sitcom on TV today. With the public so divided on political issues these days, the opportunity to have another AITF would be a delight. A must have--as halarious and thought-provoking today as it was 30 years ago. ... Read more

Description

In WATERHOLE #3, an outlaw and a reluctant hostage join together with a disgruntled army officer to carry out a daring gold robbery. Meanwhile, back in town, the sheriff has his mind on a gambler who's stolen a prize-winning horse and is just about to steal the heart of the lawman's daughter, too. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Not a review but a plea
Anything I could say has pretty much already been said. This is a hidden treasure. Please please, whoever has the authority to do so, please put this out in a quality DVD edition. I really can't understand why it already isn't. Sadly, James Coburn isn't around anymore to do an audio commentary. I would really like to hear from all the principals what it was like to make this movie.

A truly great movie...
I love satires like Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein etc etc and adored this movie that is a true Western satire. I own this on VHS but want to buy it on DVD. TELL the peeps who do that sort of thing !

The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful
This 1967 film is a comedy remake of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly".An Army gold bullion shipment is stolen.Sneaky gambler Lewton Cole (James Coburn -- "Our Man Flint") discovers a map and nearly gets shot for his discovery.Cole curiously follows the map.Sheriff Honest John Copperod (Carroll O'Connor -- "All In The Family") follows Cole seeking revenge after Cole locks Honest John naked into his own cell and steals Honest John's horse.Honest John's beautiful daughter Billie follows Cole seeking satisfaction after a romp in the hay.

Confusion follows with Cole and Honest John, Billie, the original thieves and an Army cavalry troop running in circles seeking the gold.Throughout the confusion Roger Miller vocals laud 'The Code Of The West' -- a nebulous and flexible code that bends to fit any situation.

"Waterhole #3" showcases the (IMO unexpected) worldly chemistry between James Coburn and Carroll O'Connor.But I do not consider "Waterhole #3" to be 'a man's film'."Waterhole #3" also depicts larceny and satisfaction -- IMO both gender-neutral motivators.

Do Unto Others Before They Do Unto You...
This movie is one to put on your list.A comedy of the old west where greed, corruption and lawlessness run rampant!James Coburn who is out to get whatever he can including a maiden's virtues is fantastic in this part.Carrol O'Connor as a wayward sheriff who's more concern for his pocket rather than the law is great as well as Bruce Dern who's at his typical not quite all their best!Roger Miller's music throughout this morality play gone wrong makes this film.This needs to be on DVD!

Coburn at his amoral peak
I heard the Roger Miller soundtrack first and then I HAD to see the movie!It didn't dissapoint.James Coburn, Carol O'Connor, stolen gold, Hilb the "frontier delinquent" (Roger Miller's term), a wronged damsel, rank discrimination ("arrest the foreigner") and the not quite good girl winning it all in the end.Want more?How about James Coburn called out into the street for a gunfight - which he wins by shooting his challenger with the challenger's own rifle, from behind the challenger's own horse? ... Read more

Reviews (265)

Wonderful, gentle romance.
Ever wish you could find a romantic movie not filled with cynicism and sex? Well, this is the one. Grace (Minnie Driver) is dying of a heart ailment and needs a transplant. Bob (David Duchovny) and his wife are blissfully happy... until a tragic accident takes her life. Bob agrees to donate his wife's organs. In one night two families are changed and united forever.

One year later Grace is fully recovered physically, but is still emotionally tired and lonely. She yearns for love, but fears being treated differently. Bob is angry and pained as he slowly lets his wife go. Then he meets Grace. The two soon realize they are perfectly matched and begin a sweet relationship.

However, Grace still needs to tell Bob the truth, that she had a heart transplant. When she realizes that it was his wife whose heart she received, she is devestated. Will the love they've created be enough to help them through this trial?

The supporting cast in this film is absolutely perfect. From womanizing David Allen Grier to best-friends Bonnie Hunt and Jim Belushi to old men Carol O'Conner and Robert Losiar... all of them will make you laugh out loud as they root for and meddle with Grace and Bob. The ending will make you tear up and you will come away believing in true love.

Highly recommended!!

What A Pleasant Surprise
I wasn't expecting Return To Me to be bad, but I originally thought the premise sounded a little sappy and the cast sounded a bit odd. I wasn't sure about how the on-screen chemistry btw DD & Minnie Driver would work, and what plot could have David Allen Grier, James Belushi and Carrol O'Conner in the same movie? So, I didn't go in expecting too much.

I was really happy with the movie, though. It tugs at the heartstrings and it also makes you laugh a lot. The entire crowd at the screening I attended seemed to enjoy the movie.

I highly recommend it as a great date movie. As DD has said in interviews, RTM is wonderful because it's an old-fashioned love story. The soundtrack is wonderful too -- lots of big band music which adds to the old-fashioned feel.

It was also really nice to see David Duchovny in a much more light-hearted role. He had some great comedic moments and some great romantic moments.

Carrol O'Conner, Robert Loggia and co. almost steal the movie with their hilarious banter. I can't wait to see Return To Me on the big screen when it opens, and I will definitely be adding it to my video collection.

Absolutely wonderful! And finally, nothing offensive!
This film is the first romantic comedy in a LONG time that has been worth two hours of my time. It is absolutely fabulous, and is not filled with offensive language, sex-scenes, or adultery. I LOVED it, and I do not typically enjoy romantic comedies.

Unapologetically, unabashedly sentimental
Check your cynicism at the door, please. This film is somewhat courageous in the way it wears its heart on its sleeve in these days when any spark of sentiment is usually couched in irony. Bob Rueland (David Duchovny) has lost his beloved wife (Joely Richardson) in a traffic accident; Grace Briggs (Minnie Driver) has received her heart in a transplant operation. It's not giving anything away to let you that fate brings them together in the end. As soon as the film opens, you know that it couldn't go any other way.

It must be difficult to make such an innocent story work for today's audiences, but writer/director Bonnie Hunt (with co-screenwriter Don Lake) pulls it off. The cast is warm and likeable, the dialogue is sharp, and the music is romantic. Hunt and James Belushi are wonderful as a couple whose affection for each other shines through their constant bickering.

Cute
This movie is one of my favorites. It has a great story, puppy love, a doting grandfather, and offers lots of laughs! What else could you want? It does drag a bit at the end.... but I could watch it a million times without tiring. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Walker (Lee Marvin) strides through Los Angeles with the steel-eyed stare of a stone-cold killer, or perhaps a ghost. Betrayed by his wife and best friend, who gun him down point-blank and leave him for dead after a successful heist, Walker blasts his way up the criminal food chain in a quest for revenge. Did he survive the shooting or return from the grave, or is it all a dying dream? The question is left in the air in John Boorman's modern film noir, a brutal revenge thriller based on Richard Stark's novel The Hunter (remade by Brian Helgeland as Payback), set in the impersonal concrete and steel canyons of Los Angeles and eerily empty cells of Alcatraz. Walker kills without remorse, guided by shadowy "informant" Keenan Wynn, whose own agenda is carefully concealed, and assisted by Angie Dickinson, as he desperately searches for someone, anyone, who can just give him his money. But if Walker is an extreme incarnation of the revenge-driven noir antihero, the modern syndicate has been transformed into a world of paper jungles and corporate businessmen, an alienating concept to the two-fisted, gun-wielding gangster. Boorman creates a hard, austere look for the film and fragments the story with flashes of painful memory, grafting the New Wave onto old genres with confidence and style. Haunting and brutal, Point Blank remains one of the most distinctive crime thrillers ever made. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (26)

This is where 40's noir went in the 1960's
No, it's not full of Raymond Chandler style simile's.No, there's no voiceover.There's no Bogie or Bacall, but Lee Marvin is more believable taking on the syndicate in this movie than Bogie could ever be.And Angie Dickinson serves quite nicely as replacement eye candy for Lauren Bacall, thank you.The soundtrack is very good, too.

The depiction of the corporatized mob is also brilliant.Carroll O'Connor is excellent as the surprisingly energetic mob middle manager.

I saw an interview with Schlesinger in which he said that Lee Marvin completely improvised his silence in the scene where he meets up again with his girlfriend.He was supposed to say some fairly standard things ripping her for leaving him but decided it'd play better not saying a thing.It does.

July 5, 2005 DVD release!!!
I have heard that this movie will finally find its long, long, long overdue release on DVD in July, 2005.

I can't rate the transfer or the sound or the extra features (which reportedly include a commentary and two vintage featurettes), but I can give 5-stars to whomever made this happen.Hell, you can get "Payback" on DVD. You can get "Point Break" on DVD. You can even get the totally unrelated 1998 movie "Point Blank" on DVD.You should at least be able to get "Point Blank" with Lee Freakin' Marvin on DVD.

I realize this is a film that has had many release dates that haven't come through, but I'm hoping this one happens.I've heard that Boorman does a commentary with Steven Soderbergh.Soderbergh's one of my favorite commentators, even when he's talking with another director about that director's movie (his track with Mike Nichols on "Catch-22" is one of my favorites).

A Subversive Noir Masterpiece!
"Point Blank" fans take heart----a DVD version is promised in 7/05, supposedly complete with a commentary by John Boorman & Steven Sonderburgh(sp.?).The movie is among the greatest noirs ever made, with a pitch-perfect cast.One persuasive theory about the film is that the whole story actually never happens, but is instead a last dying revenge fantasy running through Lee Marvin's brain as he checks out on Alcatraz Island.Hence, the sequences where Marvin will swoon unexplainably into near-unconsciousness (his character is named "Walker" as in "sleepwalker"), Marvin being framed by the huge excavator digging out a grave in a graveyard, & various other hints along the way that he's actually a dead man, with the final sequence being cut short inconclusively as the camera pans across San Francisco Bay back to Alcatraz Island where the whole movie started, possibly indicating that Marvin has finally died along with his final fantasy.Very intriguing, tantalizing stuff!Hang on, folks, the DVD is on the way!

WHERE IS THE DVD???
This is probably the best post-noir film ever made.The DVD has been promised since at LEAST 2004, early in the year.WHERE IS IT??

Are there legal problems, as is the case with another great film, O Lucky Man?That film is so snagged in legal problems that a DVD of it looks completely unlikely EVER.Is that the case with Point Blank?

Sorry for the rant.

What makes this post-noir film so great is the big three--plotting/writing, acting, directing.Based on The Hunter by Richard Stark (Donald Westlake), Point Blank has Lee Marvin as a whipsmart thief, shot by his partner in a doublecross and left for dead, recover and seek revenge.True this is not exactly an original storyline.But director John Boorman knew exactly what Stark was trying to do and, true to the writer's name, made the film a lean, stark portrayal of revenge.

Who better to carry out a plan of revenge than Lee Marvin?No one; at least, no one in 1967, the year this film was made.Marvin nails his role like no one else has done in any neo-noir film, and it's also great to see Carroll O'Connor, long before his All in the Family days, as a nasty piece of work with whom Marvin tangles.John Vernon's also on target as one of Marvin's enemies and Angie Dickinson supplies just the right sizzle for what she has to do in the film.

Hands down, the best American crime film of the 60s, the fact that Point Blank is STILL not on DVD is a total embarrassment to the film industry, and to the studio who owns the rights to it, whoever that may be at this time.

Hopefully if enough people raise a squawk, things will change.

Rock solid noir, and a model for all kinds of films since then.Interestingly enough, the remake, Payback starring Mel Gibson was, in my estimation, not a bad film at all.But for the real deal, this is it.

A debt is always a debt!
In the underworld language the honor is much more than as simple world. The term implies in many cases an absolute respect and ethics . whenmember of the band is sent to prison under weird circumstances and his assigned part is $ 93.000, you really should think it over specially if this man comes back hunger for greed and fury.

Lee Marvin is perfect as the rough guy who will make these codes maintain its right profile. To my mind this is not only one of the most famous films of the noir films of the late sixties but besides one of my top cult movies ever filmed. Boorman as you know is a real master in what direction concerns and this picture will prove it.
... Read more

Amazon.com

Dismissed in 1968 as a plodding rip-off of The Dirty Dozen--without that 1967 film's sardonic, antiestablishment satire--The Devil's Brigade now plays like a nostalgic last gasp of the sentimental World War II action genre. Celebrating the 1st Special Service Force (a commando-like unit formed to fight in Norway but ultimately deployed in Italy), this typically broad Andrew V. McLaglen production recounts the teaming of some miscreant GIs with "the handpicked best of the best-trained army in the world"--the Canadians--under a U.S. officer (William Holden) who had never commanded men in combat. The first hour, heavy on machismo and low comedy, depicts the unit's training at an abandoned base in Montana, with nonstop international rivalry until Yanks and Canadians bond in a lusty saloon brawl. After that, the Germans are easy meat. Holden is solid, as usual, and so is the widescreen work of veteran cameraman William H. Clothier, impeccably rendered on the DVD. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (24)

One of the Elite units of WWII
This film is about one of the elite units of WWII, a unit that is part of the lineage of modern day Special Operations. The film does a very good job of depicting the main points of the birth of this unit and some of the trials and tribulations that it had to go through. The film is historically accurate in the depiction of the undesireable soldiers that the United States contributed to the unit and the better trained Canadians. This film does an excellent job of showing how Special Operations units are unappreciated by the main stream military brass. Having served in the United States Army Special Forces for 5 years, I know how hard it can be to depict special operations capabilities in such a short movie. Again, this film hits the high points and is entertaining. It is a must see for any war movie buff and especially any student of special operations history.

Not a Dirty Dozen ripoff!
The Devil's Brigade is a WWII story about the formation of a Special Forces unit meant to help the war effort in Europe. A ragtag bunch of Americans and a crack unit of Canadian troops are brought together to train to form this unit. Excellent cast with William Holden, Cliff Robertson, Vince Edwards, Dana Andrews, Carroll O'Connor, Richard Jaeckel, Claude Akins, Jeremy Slate, Andrew Prine, Luke Askew, and Richard Dawson in a pre-Family Fued role.

Critics said The Devil's Brigade is a ripoff of The Dirty Dozen, but it really isn't. While the storylines are similar, the overall idea of the movie is much different with the The Devil's Brigade dealing with a true story. This movie is a great guy film with excellent performances by much of the cast. There are some funny scenes as the Yanks and the Canucks get used to each other before the mandatory bonding scene during a barroom fight with a group of lumberjacks.

The DVD presentation is good with the widescreen presentation and the theatrical trailer. As another reviewer pointed out, the trailer contains Richard Jaeckel screaming as he falls from the cliff, something not in the movie. Excellent World War II adventure story with great cast and good action scenes. Don't miss it!

A Brigade of Character Actors
A movie noteworthy mostly because of the supporting cast of character actors. Most notable are Richard Jaeckel (THE DIRTY DOZEN), Claude Akins (RIO BRAVO, tv's SHERIFF LOBO), Luke Askew, Andrew Prine (tv's V-THE MINISERIES/THE FINAL BATTLE), and even Richard Dawson (tv's HOGAN'S HEROES, FAMILY FEUD). Otherwise this is a basic WWII action flick with some big name stars (William Holden, Cliff Robertson, Carrol O'Conner, Micheal Rennie, Vince Edwards). An Allied special forces commando unit is hastily created to enter the early days of WWII to keep the Germans occupied until the actual American forces can send troops. This commando unit consists of misfit American GI's and elite Canadian soldiers. Part of the movie is a cliched plot where the ragtag Americans must get along with the posh Canadians. At first the two groups hate each other until fisticuffs at a local bar againts lumberjacks unites the two groups. Then, when this happens they become a fine tuned fighting unit. Pretty predictable stuff, but entertaining nonetheless with some great war action sequences and cliched characters. Standout performances by Richard Jaeckel as Pvt. Omar Greco (supposedly an acrobatic circus performer), and Claude Akins as Rockman.

History vs Hollywood
The 1st Special Service Force really existed and accomplished far more than this film would indicate. Any critic who whines about "improbable events" is a gabbing ignoramus...

Having said that... Most veterans of the Force do not like the film. The idiots with checkbooks would only back the film if it was "rousing" (read Hollywood treatment) rather than lovingly accurate.

The chief technical advisor was Lt. General Frederic (ret) himself... so the producers and director certainly had the facts to hand. Many of those facts and much of the history never made it onto the screen.

What don't the Forcemen like? Well, the Americans certainly had more than their share of guardhouse sweepings and tough characters sent their way by other commands (though those who could not learn to accept discipline and bond with others were rapidly washed out...) and excellent Canadians... but the "border warfare" premise is essentially false.

U.S. uniforms for all but the Americans got higher pay... (different pay days for each group, so always borrowing from each other) When the drek was chased off both nationalities settled in quite well with each other.

Kiska was almost bloodless (Canadian and American troops did accidentally shoot each other when the Japanese proved to have pulled out... but not the Force... their fire discipline was superb...) One part of the Force was prepared to make a parachute drop into action... The Force had the "friction" of battle without the losses... This honed them to a fine edge... and the film ignored the whole episode.

Their jump training was almost ignored (except for jump boots and jump wings shown on the screen) along with their demolition and amphibious training. Their loving relationship with Helena and its people was reduced in the film to a night of whoring, boozing and brawling.

In short, many vets of the Force did not recognize themselves in the film. Relatively few people knew about the Force, and those seeing the film would either think it total fiction or else have a skewed view of what Winston Churchill called "The finest fighting force of its size ever fielded by North America..."

When viewed as a movie, rather than as history... Well the cast is pretty good. Many cameos (not "bit parts") by fading stars such as Grechen Wyler and Dana Andrews... give it a certain class.

William Holden would have been perfect in the part... a dozen years earlier when he was doing Bridge on the River Kwai... Frederic was almost a "boy general" by the time he left the Force... Holden was a bit long in the tooth and tired... On the positive side, he conveys authority and was quite happy to get his hands dirty making the film.

Cliff Robertson is fine as Major Crown and most of the rest of the cast is good. Claude Akins is fine in his role as Rocky... but for all of his size, strength and toughness... his character is a waste... he gets captured on the earlier raid and rather than do what all good soldiers must in an assault... keep moving... he bounces around a critically wounded soldier, kills his prisoner and is absent from where he is needed. His love of Peacock is believable, but is mawkishly displayed on the screen.

So having said all of the above, why would *I* give the film a (qualified) rating of 4 stars (an unqualified five would go to Lawrence of Arabia...)? In part because of the subject matter... However much the Hollywood treatment and however mucked up the history... the Force was one of the most remarkable units ever fielded.

The director (Andrew V.) had some fine films to his credit, but too many of the other kind... to the point where some would call him a "hack director..." But it is obvious in The Devil's Brigade that he had a fondness for the unit and the men who served in it. The cliches and overly broad humor can't hide this.

Most of the cast (and assigned soldiers) give the impression that when the cameras stop rolling that they really felt like part of a team doing something special (even if a few of them refused to follow Holden into the pyrotechnic strewn fields...)

While the film could have been better... to truly tell the story of the First Special Service Force... a multi-part effort such as Band of Brothers would be required to do the subject (and the surviving Forcemen) justice...

I have served with Canadians in two wars... While there are some very real differences, at the "sharp end" the teamwork is outstanding... Never more true than with the 1st Special Service Force...

Great war picture!!!!......Great DVD
The title says it all. The Devil's Brigade is a great war to watch. The movie is based on a true story in WWII, where a unit of American soldiers and a crack unit of Canadian troops formed the 1st Special Service Force a.k.a. the first special forces group. This movie has great acting, great cinematography, great battle scenes, and great actors, like William Holden, Cliff Robertson, Vince Edwards, Richard Jaeckel, Claude Atkins, Andrew Prine, Richard Dawson, Robert Watson, and in some bit parts, Dana Andrews, Carrol O'Conner, and Michael Rennie. If you want to see a great war movie, give Devil's Brigade a try. I recemend it to WWII movie fans. ... Read more

Amazon.com

George Roy Hill (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) directed this adaptation of James Michener's novel about the history of the 50th state. Max von Sydow plays a zealous missionary with a Calvinist bent, intent on enlightening the natives even as his wife (Julie Andrews) is romanced by the dashing Richard Harris. The film is both a glossy vision of Hawaii in the early 19th century and a sometimes-brutal drama full of death, a rough childbirth, stormy weather, etc. Hill's blunt editing, meant to emphasize the more terrifying aspects of the natural order of life, makes the film look particularly dated and mannered today. This is best appreciated for its cast, all of whom were making inroads in Hollywood at the time. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A waste of a great story
This movie sucks.It's miscast, skin-crawlingly overacted, and just damned boring.I fell asleep 2 or 3 times trying to get through it.The only reason I didn't give up was because of how much I enjoyed the Michener book.Max Von Sydow was a disaster as Reverend Abner Hale, as was Richard Harris in the role of Captain Hoxworth.They're both great actors and I've liked them very much in other roles.But these guys ruined "Hawaii".

A waste of a great story.A waste of time and money.Don't buy this.

Surprise Appearance in "Hawaii"
During the ship voyage sequence, look closely at the extras playing the passengers.One of them is a very young Bette Midler in what is probably her film debut.

Hawaii Disappoinrment
I have been waiting for many years for the DVD.I read a review which indicated the length was 161 vs. 189 minutes the original roadshow version.I saw the film in it's original version.It isa beautiful film.It had 6 track stereo sound and was in 70 MM.The laserdisc set released a while back contains the complete uncut film.Additionally, it contains the original stereo soundtrack which accentuates the Elmer Bernstein score, one of his best.
Maybe one day MGM will get it right.

MGM IS SOLD
Sadly the original versions of this film on VHS and Laserdisc have been discarded to bring the viewing public a truncated version of Hill's HAWAII.Even minus the Overture, Intermission, and Exit musics. . .there have to be extreme edits in this version.I could argue that the mere fact that this fine film is finally available on DVD--is a plus argument--but with severe edits--it simply is not worth a buy.Hopefully a full version of this epic might finally be made available under the new owners of MGM.But my gut feeling is that we will not see the complete version until it emerges 5 years from now as a budget item in mono sound and as a standard screen sized item.Such is the respect, and business acumen of dummies.

Unappreciated epic, finally on DVD
The DVD of George Roy Hill's "Hawaii" is long overdue. It tackles a subject that has always bothered me; that the good, well-intentioned fundamentalist Christians would invade native territory. Those simple natives never died of anything but age until the white man invaded their simple territory. The DVD is fine, with rich colors brought out of the magnificent panoramas (quite washed out on the VHS). An informative extra is about the making of the film, and you can compare the color restoration. That, and the theatrical trailer, are the only extras. A wonderful widescreen transfer gives justice to Russell Harlan's cinematography. "Hawaii" was nominated for 7 Oscars, and definitely should've won for Elmer Bernstein's great score. Cinematography, too (since it lost to "A Man For All Seasons", which was really just a filmed play.) Interesting was the nomination of Jocelyn Lagarde as Malama; she was certainly a strong character, and was quite good; she learned the whole script phonetically, since she knew no English. The acting was very good. Max von Sydow, fresh off his performance as Jesus in "The Greatest Story Ever Told"was solid. Julie Andrews was best of all, really carrying this film. Everyone forgets that her first film was "The Americanization of Emily", and it's later that she gave the candy-coated performances for which she's best known.She is really a stabilizing factor in the goings-on, and her discovery of this new, magic land is much more profound. There's a wonderful insight here, much overlooked. She also gets a very brief moment to sing, but the song is only minimally presented; still, "My Wishing Doll" was nominated for Best Song. (I remember Jackie de Shannon singing it at the Oscars back then). I'd like to hear the whole song sometime. Heather Menzies, who played one of the von Trapp children, has a small role as her little sister. A lot of things could be cut, but overall, this is a fine film. It has power and conviction, and Mischner approved.It's interesting to note that there's a spiritual touch to the beliefs of the native Hawaiians that belies the Christian ethic. When Malama (the Ali'i nui) dies, a terrific storm happens, as predicted, though von Sydow's character thinks it's just superstition. He is regularly taken over by these people, something that Jerusha (Andrews) knew all along. It is a fine film, and one that I'm glad to have in my collection. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bruce Lee's life, philosophy, and final film are examined in this reverent documentary, which traces the master's path through the development of his own style, his battles with mainstream Hollywood and martial arts traditionalists, and his emergence as the world's top box-office draw. Just as interesting as Lee's life is the chance to see lost footage from The Game of Death, Lee's final, unfinished film. Outtakes offer the opportunity to see Lee's perfectionism in action, and the reconstructed storyline reveals how Lee's personal martial arts philosophy shaped the film. And yes, there is a spectacular nunchakau fight. Interviews with Lee and those close to him highlight his energy, intelligence, and remarkable charisma. Fans of Lee will welcome this new insight into his filmmaking, and those unfamiliar with his life and work will come away with a new respect. The DVD includes a Lee filmography, the theatrical trailer for The Game of Death, and audio commentary by the director. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (37)

"Be Water, My friend".
Part documentary, part movie, all fun. This film takes a good look at Bruce Lee's life and philosophy. From facing prejudices in Hollywood, to his rise to stardom in Hong Kong and eventually the US, to his untimely death in 1973. Bruce Lee's life was that of phenomenal. This film features rare TV and audio interviews of Bruce, Bruce Lee's home movies and interviews with many of Bruce Lee's friends and family. This film also offers the chance to see the complete 41 minutes footage shot for The Game of Death, Lee's final unfinished film, which have long been considered lost forever. This is the Bruce Lee the world has never seen, until now.

"Be formless, shapeless, like water. When you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. When you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you put water into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend" - Bruce Lee.

Game of Death is Finaly Released!!!
John Little, one of the most dedicated and prolific Bruce Lee historians has made good by restoring the original Game of Death footage for all of us to see. Little does not try to create a movie out of existing footage, but instead, tells the story of Bruce's martial philosophy as well as his script and ideas for "Game of Death."

The last 40 minutes is peer uninterrupted Bruce. How I wish this footage had been kept in the 1978 release. There are tons of material here and one sees more of Bruce's wit and of course, his vision in the fight scenes.

Little keeps the fight scenes with the non-Bruce Lee fights as well. This makes the film more enjoyable as the viewer gets a deep sense at what Bruce Lee was after.

While the first half is standard Biography fare, the last 40 minutes is pure outstanding martial arts mania. A must for every Bruce Lee fan!

This documentary made me a Bruce Lee fan.
After having watched one documentary, all I knew of Bruce Lee was that, through his unbreakable will, he proved to the american film industry that a non-American can be accepted by a western audience, and that he created his own "style" of fighting: jeet kune do.
When I first inserted A Warrior's Journey in the DVD player, I wasn't much excited. But, as I passed through the bits of Bruce's first interview, my curiosity was awakened. After some interesting biographical information, commentaries by family and friends and the pleasure of seeing the master displaying his physical skills, I arrived at carefully selected scenes from T.V. series he played in and parts of another interview. In these few minutes is summarized the truth found by Bruce Lee. The truth about martial arts known as Jeet Kune Do: human beings cannot know the truth (their own accomplishment, attain perfection) if they follow definite rules prescribed by a system. Why? Because life is dynamic, in constant change, it is flowing water. Therefore, it is logical to say that a limited and definite set of rules are not an answer to reach the truth. No system or book can contain the limitless situations that human beings can encounter in a lifetime.
Men and women must use their intelligence, will, flexibility of mind, sense of creativity and ability to learn in order to successfully jump over the obstacles of life.
Finally, I witnessed this truth taking shape in The Game of Death 's footage as Bruce intended it to be shown accompanied by Wayne Hawkins' inspired score. A true masterpiece.
(a non-dubbed one compared to the footage found in the 30th anniversary box set).
I believe that this documentary is, so far, the best expression of Bruce's message to the world.

This documentary made me a Bruce Lee fan
After having watched one documentary, all I knew of Bruce Lee was that, through his unbreakable will, he proved to the american film industry that a non-American can be accepted by a western audience, and that he created his own "style" of fighting: jeet kune do.
I wasn't much interested when I inserted the DVD A Warrior's Journey in the DVD player, but, as I passed through the bits of Bruce's first interview, my curiosity was awakened. After some very interesting biographical information, comme