Reviews (18)

U .N.C.L.E Deserves to be on DVD
Make no mistake about it - The Man From U.N.C.L.E. was one of the best - if not the best - TV series in the 1960's. And don't forget the TV reunion movies,(was there just 1, or 2?)one of which had George Lazenby spoofing his James Bond portrayal. Isn't it time the powers that be give all the U.N.C.L.E. fans what we want - a DVD release of this superbly written and acted series? Look at some of the stuff that's out now such as The Man Show and series which barely lasted one season and you have to believe the people in charge of issuing series are issuing what they want and not what the viewers want. C'mon folks, give us Napolean Solo (only Sean Connery is a better actor than Robert Vaughn) and let's not forget sidekick Ilya Kuryakin (Navy NCIS's David McCallum) and Alexander Waverly (Leo G. Carroll) who was just as good as James Bond's "M." U.N.C.L.E. fans are legion and don't deserve to be ignored any longer.

Tell me you are kidding, no "Man From U.N.C.L.E." in DVD???
Man, of all the t.v. series in DVD format, to do a search for: "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," to find nothing, not even a single episode or movie, is a huge shock and disappointment, to say the least. The person in charge of deciding which shows to put on DVD really blew it as in "No DUH." Most people who grew up in the 60's, grew up watching and loving the show. That would be the so-called baby boomers who make up a sizeable portion of today's purchasing population, your's included. So, what are you waiting for? What is the hold-up? This series is much better than "I SPY," "The Avengers" or even "The Saint" (even if they, too, are good ones) and you have them on DVD already. I still have to pinch myself, I gotta be dreaming, no Illya Kuryakin or Napoleon Solo? No Mr. Waverly or United Network Command for Law and Enforement, battling Thrush on our behalf??? Woe is me. I'm searching again because I gotta be dreaming this.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
OMG, WHERE is the DVD issuance of this GREAT Spy series from 1964-68? Come on, guys, this addictive program was the most popular TV series THROUGHOUT THE WORLD in the mid-60's, and even today has a huge cult following, loyal fan club base, and show memorabilia collector interest.
This is not just a nostalgic series for the 'baby boomers.' It is timeless for adults and kids alike. MFU sports thrilling around-the-world spy plots, tongue-in-cheek humor and an almost unlimited list of famous guest stars. As must also be noted, its second (and subsequent) seasons, filmed on the now defunct but expensive and gorgeous Kodachrome film, make this series an absolute delight for the eye. Color tints and saturations you do not see on programs filmed later into the 70's!
The writers, producers and directors of the series were certainly some of the most talented and innovative of the period. The show has amazingly well written plots (especially the B&W first season) and in fact even spawned many 'new' photography techniques in its time. These are noted as creative applications utilizing the then-new shoulder-hefted 'portable' film cameras. This program was one of the first such uses of these cameras.
Starring Robert Vaughn as secret agent Napoleon Solo, David McCallum as partner Illya Kuryakin, and Leo G. Carroll as U.N.C.L.E. Director Alexander Waverly, this series brought together three very talented actors to create a well-blended mix of character personalities. Week after week they would save the world, usually from the sinister menace of the evil arch enemy organization THRUSH.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is grand action adventure.
Granted, the series did begin to falter (just a bit) in its final 1967-68 season, but it was still fun to watch and certainly remained at the top of the 'quality' shows of the period.
A 1966-67 cross over spin off, the often times ridiculous Girl From U.N.C.L.E., was also quite popular. The GFU starred Stefanie Powers as agent April Dancer and Noel Harrison as agent Mark Slate. Again, Leo G. Carroll starred as the head of the U.N.C.L.E.
Work on these two series' was quite an accomplishment for the renowned Mr. Carroll, considering that he was not in the best of health at this time in his life. Shows were occasionally and graciously shot around his particular needs, but the producers weren't bothered; they were well aware of their good fortune to have such a respected actor.
In light of many 'garbage' shows being presently marketed on DVD, it is necessary to state that the fantastic Man From U.N.C.L.E. series needs to be given its long overdue consideration for DVD release.
And make certain to keep intact the closing credits, sporting the famous "We wish to thank the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement, without whose assistance this program would not be possible."
Great stuff . . . right to the end!

Dated, But Still My Favorite Show
UNCLE is still my favorite show, even if it is dated (and even though I can now see how they re-used that red brick mansion over and over in many episodes). Recently, Film Score Monthly magazine has released two double-CD sets of original UNCLE music, and I've been reimagining the shows in my head as I listen to great, catchy music. I've waited since 1965 for real, original UNCLE music, as heard on the show. Yippee!

Why this show is not on DVD perplexes me. When it was released on tape, they didn't pick the best episodes, but the ones with the biggest guest stars. Bad move, but better than nothing.

For a 1960s show that's not in reruns, it still isn't forgotten. I recently heard Elvis Costello on a talk show describing a recording studio that was unexpectedly located in an old building. He said, "It was like 'The Man From UNCLE'". I could hardly believe my ears! See, people still talk about it. Please release it while we're still around to buy it.

Make My Days ... and Nights
As a long-time fan, I already own the tape set, but would still buy the DVDs in a heartbeat. Man from U.N.C.L.E. fans are still around -- in numbers that would surprise you. And we're not all over 40. My kids love the show, too. It's timeless -- funny, intelligent and features some wonderful co-stars.

I look forward to owning this set. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

The Original and BEST of the West!
Never mind 1999's theatrical version--this is the original we're talking about! Robert Conrad and Ross Martin set the standard for spies with spurs in the ABC action series which ran from 1965 to 1968. Brilliantly interweaving the 60's spy craze (including "Mission: Impossible", "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." and "Get Smart") with the equally-popular Western genre (ala "Bonanza", "Gunsmoke", and "Rawhide"), it was truly James Bond in the West. Conrad's well-tailored, silver-tongued James West, and Ross Martin's theatrical chameleon Artemus Gordon faced the most eccentric villains ever to grace the small screen (actually, I take that back--that accolade belongs to "Batman". But still....if you've seen the show, you know what I'm talking about). Appearing often was the short-statured Michael Dunn as Dr. Miguelito Loveless. Just classic stuff.

So, here's what we're calling for: 4 (four) season-by-season boxed sets containing all 104 episodes, as well as documentaries with any available living cast and/or crew members. Consider the other television series who've been digitally cast in DVD format: "Mary Tyler Moore", "M*A*S*H", "Star Trek"....lovers of this show will agree that "The Wild, Wild West" belongs amongst these classics.

Another vote for the release of the series on DVD!
The Wild Wild West, starring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin, was a truly unique blend of science fiction and western. The stories were especially dynamic during it's fourth and final season. With all the TV series being released on DVD (like Green Acres of all things) it stands to reason that Wild Wild West would be popular enough with the buying public to make it worth the studios while to produce the entire series, hopefully with some nice added features. The series was originally produced by Paramount. If they still have the rights, that's who we need to contact. Here's my vote.

More great things in Wild Wild West
Yes agree but there was even more to the show. At the beginning of each episode they would show four pictures, in fact a still view of the ending of each section of the each chapter of the episode.

You would start wandering what each still ment, but of course couldn't. Then when you watched the show you got the context.

I have never seen this method used since in any TV show; but it gave an even more mysterious feel to this great show this great work of art.

Sigmar, Iceland

(...)

A show Ahead of It's Time
Why this isn't being released in season sets is beyond me. Forget the fact that I love the show. From a purely business perspective this would make a killing in sales. Just go to the TV section in any Best Buy or Circuit City and you'd be shocked at some of the obscure older TV shows that are being released. The Wild Wild West has a huge fan following - not to mention the fact that it still holds up today and would probably hook a whole new generation. I'm hoping this one gets made soon.

It is impossible for a TV Show to be more fun than this!
One of the most creative, imaginative and purely fun shows in TV history stands waiting for DVD release, and I'm really hoping Paramount or whoever owns this series does the right thing. From the brilliant and resourceful production design and Heschong's inspired art direction (combining to realize a fantastic world of Victorian sci-fi wonder) to the colorful array of villains brilliantly portrayed by Michael Dunn, Carroll O'Connor, Lloyd Bochner and others, to the exciting music of Drasnin, Shores and Markowitz et al, to a long list of great directors and writers, WWW was a once-in-a-lifetime TV coup. And not least of all come the fight scenes: film students should be studying the perfectly-tuned editing, the use of wide and medium shots (minimal closeups) that pull you in to the precision choreography, creating the most visceral and supercharged blend of music and action ever on the tube, with the cool Conrad always at its center. Round it all off with the amazing Ross Martin's gallery of infinite rogues and you have as satisfying an escapist viewing experience as one could wish for. Bring it on! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Gunsmoke on DVD is long overdue.........
Quite simply, I'd like to see the original Gunsmoke television series released on DVD, beginning with the 1955-56 season, and continuing at least thru the sixth (1960-61) season. This initial collection would take in all of the half-hour episodes, before the format went to one hour in the fall of 1961. These half-hour espisodes are seldon seen today, and are usually severly edited when they are seen at all on contemporary television.

The "half-hour years" truly were the foundational seasons for the series in terms of character development, etc., and they also contained some of the very best stories in the history of the series.

A complete, restored, unedited collection of these early episodes, perhaps with TV trailers, and perhaps with expert commentary, especially by James Arness, who is over eighty years of age now, would be most welcome, and would be extremely popular, I believe, with fans of classic TV westerns. If there's any justice, this series needs to find it's way to DVD. The marketplace is there, and waiting........... ... Read more