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Based on the bestselling book by Vincent Bugliosi, the two-part TV movie Helter Skelter is a clinical but often chilling recount of the arrest and trial of Charles Manson and his cult for a pair of horrific murders in 1969. Character actor George DiCenzo is a bit dry as prosecutor Bugliosi, who must patch together a series of far-flung clues to incarcerate Manson for the murder spree, which claimed the life of actress Sharon Tate, among others; he and the rest of the capable cast (which includes Marilyn Burns from the '74 Texas Chainsaw Massacre) are completely overshadowed by Steve Railsback's disturbing performance as Manson. Railsback is the main reason to revisit this feature, which shocked many during its network run in 1976, but now seems methodical in its pacing and direction. Warner Bros.'s DVD is the longer 184-minute version of the film, which should please viewers accustomed to the 119-minute rebroadcast cut; otherwise, the disc is disappointingly supplement-free. --Paul Gaita ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A Chilling True-Crime Classic! First-Class DVD!
1976's "Helter Skelter" is an intense and quite suspenseful TV movie, starring Steve Railsback, who is so good as Charles Manson, it's rather eerie. The film also stars George DiCenzo, as Los Angeles prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi. The tele-film is based on Mr. Bugliosi's best-selling true-crime novel of the same title.

The film is told in semi-documentary style (with DiCenzo doubling as narrator throughout the movie). It begins with a very spine-chilling scene in the early-morning hours of August 9, 1969, in Los Angeles, California. We hear multiple gunshots from a distance. Gunshots which emanated from nearby 10050 Cielo Drive, the home of movie director Roman Polanski and his pregnant wife, 26-year-old actress Sharon Tate.

The gunshots were fired by a member of Charles Manson's so-called "Family". And so began one of the most bizarre chapters in the history of crime -- a senseless massacre, claiming the lives of seven innocent people, that became commonly known as the "Tate/LaBianca Murders".

Manson's "zombie" killers racked up five murders at the Tate residence, and the next night went out and killed two more people they had never met, Mr. and Mrs. LaBianca, at 3301 Waverly Drive, in another part of Los Angeles (Los Feliz).

(In my own view, Manson and his team of brainwashed murderers should *really* have been charged with EIGHT killings in August 1969. Number eight being the unborn child of Sharon Tate.)

The film recreates the discovery of the two grisly murder scenes with nerve-wracking effectiveness, but without showing too much gore, which is all the better (as well as tasteful). But the fact that this was a 1976 made-for-TV feature no doubt limited the filmmakers with regard to showing material of an overly-graphic nature.

The story of the brutal killings and the lengthy court trial that followed is detailed very well in this rarely-seen, full-length (184-minute) DVD version of "Helter Skelter". The previous video (VHS) release of the film only ran a paltry 119 minutes, with (obviously) many scenes cut from the original print.

The movie was originally shown as a "2-Parter" on network television, with a total running time of 194 minutes (10 minutes longer than what we get on this DVD). But, despite missing ten minutes, we're not really losing any relative scenes or information. Because the ten minutes that are missing are simply "recap" scenes that were used for the network telecast in order to re-acquaint viewers with the storyline and previous "Part 1" scenes. Plus, also trimmed from the DVD version is a needless "end credits from Part 1" sequence. Therefore, this 184-minute version of the film *is*, in effect, the "complete" film (when taken in the context of a "one-part" motion picture, rather than a two-parter).

The icing on this movie's cake is the brilliant and highly-effective music score by Billy Goldenberg. Goldenberg's unsettling score evokes a feeling of uneasiness and is downright scary in many instances during the film.

Mr. Goldenberg was one busy music composer in the 1970s. He wrote musical themes to many TV shows during that era -- including: "Rhoda", "Night Gallery", "Banacek", "Kojak", "Harry O", and lots of others.

The DVD's aspect ratio is Full-Frame (1.33:1), as originally shown on TV. Video quality on this disc looks very sharp and clear. I am extremely pleased with the picture quality. There's an occasional blemish, artifact, or dust speckle, but not very many. Certainly not enough to create a distraction. In fact, even the nighttime images in the film (which can often look "grainy" on an older movie) exhibit excellent clarity here, with very little grain visible.

I've found that another good "test" of a DVD's picture quality (that's worked well for me) is the "Freeze Frame Test". Try "freezing" any image on the DVD. Does the stilled picture become blurry, distorted-looking, and fuzzy? If it can't be "frozen" without blurring (or minimal blurring), then I'd give that DVD video transfer a lower mark on the old "PQ Scorecard" than a more solid transfer where the picture can be paused and frozen in near-perfect clarity. "Helter Skelter", in my view, passes the "Freeze Test" very nicely. Non-moving images on screen can be paused with little or no blurriness resulting.

In short, this DVD offers up a very good Digital transfer for a TV-Movie made in 1976.

This snazzy-looking DVD version of "Helter Skelter" makes my ultra-poor, third-generation VHS copy of the film look mighty crummy indeed! Needless to say, that VHS video is now destined for the scrap pile.

The soundtrack offered up here is a 1.0 Dolby Digital Mono track; and it's quite adequate (although a small amount of "ghosting" is evident during some parts of the film). Mr. Goldenberg's shiver-inducing musical score comes through just fine via this mono presentation. And all dialogue sounds distinct, clear, and is easily understood.

Extra Features .... There are none (unless you want to count subtitles, which are included -- in English, French, and Spanish). But this lack of extras doesn't disappoint me greatly. Just getting this excellent TV film in top-quality Digital form on DVD is enough for me. (Although I would have *loved* a commentary by the real-life Manson prosecutor, Vince Bugliosi. But I figured that was too much to hope for. And it was.)

Menus .... The menus for "Helter Skelter" are "static" (non-animated) ones, with the Main Menu being accompanied by a variation of the eerie music score. Unfortunately, this is one of those discs where the movie begins playing all by itself after the Main Menu has been on screen for 30 seconds (which is common, it seems, with a lot of Warner Bros. DVDs).

If you're a fan of "true crime" tales, then this DVD should definitely find its way into your Digital Library. Part documentary, part thriller, part drama, part horror film, and ALL true -- "Helter Skelter" is a true nail-biter.

Long Awaited Helter Skelter
It's taken years to finally get this tele-film released in it's entirety as seen on CBS in two nights during March of 1976. It's a good enough print but I was disappointed that there were no extras included on this Dvd. It would have been interesting to have a documentary etc included in the pkg.

Previously this film was released by Key video on VHS in it's edited down European theatrical release version. I say edited down because although an hour was cut there were also present a number of profane words that didn't make it to Tv and also the two murders they show snippets of were not over ghosted by Linda Kasabian (Marilyn Burns) sitting on the witness stand telling about the horror the night at Sharon Tate's house.

This new Dvd version is released just how CBS presented it back in 1976 for it's first airing. Steve Railsback still sends chills down your spine as Manson and George DiCenzo does admirable job as prosecutor Bugliosi as does the rest of supporting cast. I give the movie four stars but no kudos to Warner Home Video for releasing it rather plainly.

It will be interesting to see how the new CBS tele-movie also named "Helter Skelter" will hold up against this still frightening account of the Manson Family and subsequent murder spree that "scared the hell out of us all!"

Unforgettable presentation of pure evil
This is one of the videos I've been waiting for to come out on DVD for a long time.

I watched this lengthy film in one-sitting one summer when I was living alone. I remember turning the light on at one point when the plot began to take a sinister turn. I was grateful for that light when the movie ended and it was dark outside. I seem to remember sitting quietly after the credits were over, and I contemplated what I had just seen.

If you read my review of the Bugliosi/Gentry book, you'll see how powerfully the story itself affected me. Well, this presentation captures both the essence and the emotion of the narrative. It is both chilling and compelling. The acting, driven along by the astonishing Railsback, is among the best I've seen in a true-crime drama.

I'm so glad the filmmakers didn't cut as many corners as they could have. They retain the essential story line and characters to assure that those who have seen the film know almost as much as those who have read the book. Frankly a litany of all the ways the police proved themselves to be incompetent was a tedium I would gladly forego.

Both well-crafted and powerfully presented, this is a keeper, worth watching and re-watching.

I wouldn`t use the word great or classic, but.....
... because the subject is a gruesome one.... However. It is an electrifying experience watching this movie... I saw it in the 80s... and it still is as potent as it used to be.... Steve Railsback may overplay at times but overrall - a GREAT achivement and it should be released over and over ..... It really speaks from the graves of Sharon, Voytek, Abigail, Steven, Jay, Hinman, the LaBiancas, Shorty etc... etc... Who KNOWS really... how long the "etc" goes on????

What's With The Censoring???
Bought this TV classic, which has been LONG OVERDUE for DVD release, and was EXTREMELY dissapointed to find it has been censored. Yes, censored. I have a copy of the original 2-part on VHS, and I was stunned to find out that this DVD release is censored.

The cops raid Manson and his family at Spahn's Ranch and have gathered them up in a circle, with Charlie in the center. The cops bring in a handcuffed Shorty, who claims he's not part of the family. He offers to tell the police what he knows, which brings out jeers of SNITCH from the famlily. Charlie looks up an says, "It's not nice to snitch, Shorty." Shorty promptly replies, "Go f*** yourself, Charlie. This DVD version has Shorty instead saying "Horse manure."

When Bugliosi is interviewing Paul Watkins (the man who first explains to Vince what Helter Skelter means), he says that people are "scared s***less." This is painfully dubbed over with a cough.

The biggest dissapointment was in that during the trail, when Linda Kasabian is testifiying about the Tate murders, the scenes of carnage (which had previously been seen clearly) are shown with Kasabian and Bugliosi super-imposed.

My question is, why? This DVD would have been an instant 5, but I felt as though I was watching a version of "Cannonball Run" on TV.

This DVD release does not do this film justice. You do not get the full impact of this powerful film due to the censorship. Very puzzling. ... Read more

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Adventure movies are hard to come by these days--they've been replaced by action movies, which favor fast cars and big explosions over the dangers of nature and explorations of human character. Breakheart Pass stars Charles Bronson as a mysterious petty criminal on the Western frontier. After being caught cheating at cards, he's arrested and held on a military transport train heading through the Rocky Mountains toward a fort on the coast, a fort stricken with diphtheria and in desperate need of the medical supplies on the train. But there's a conspiracy afoot--people on the train keep getting killed or disappearing--and the situation at the fort isn't what it seems either. Alistair MacLean adapted the screenplay from his own novel, and it's a well-plotted, efficient piece of work, made more compelling by a cast of solid character actors, ranging from Charles Durning (The Sting, Tootsie), Richard Crenna (Body Heat), and Ben Johnson (Oscar winner for The Last Picture Show) to guys whose faces you'll recognize, even if their names don't sound familiar. Breakheart Pass isn't The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, and Bronson isn't Humphrey Bogart, but the movie is a lean adventure flick with an outstanding score by Jerry Goldsmith. (Trivia buffs will catch Sam Elliot and Sally Kirkland in bit parts.) --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A train worth catching
Anyone who's ever had to slog through his soul-destroying ITC or Cannon-years output will find it hard to imagine that there was ever a time when Charles Bronson was a half-decent actor who not only made films that were actually released in theaters, but good ones at that. Breakheart Pass is probably the best of the last burst of quality output in the actor's oeuvre that also saw Hard Times (aka The Streetfighter) and the whimsical From Noon Til Three; for that matter, the last good Alistair MacLean screen outing before what seems like an eternity of formulaic made-for-TV efforts with C-list casts.

The plot has all the MacLean staples - sabotage, secret identities, wolves in sheep's clothing and a plot where no-one and nothing is what they appear to be. The only novelty is the location, a train rushing through the old West to bring medical supplies to a cholera-infected fort through strikingly snowbound mountain countryside beautifully captured through cinematographer Lucien Ballard's lens. But the fact that so much of the film is simply one of the author's beloved WW2 plots with outlaws and Indians instead of Nazis doesn't matter: it's the telling that counts, and with a tight script and strong direction from Tom Gries that is equally adept at the mystery (more a 'what the heck's going on?' than 'who's behind it all?') as action (most notably a good rooftop punch-up and a spectacular wreck) it's never a dull ride.

Bronson, still making an effort in those days, comes over well, while the strong supporting cast (including John Ford and Sam Peckinpah regular Ben Johnson, as well as Richard Crenna, Charles Durning and Ed Lauter) add a pleasing layer of professionalism and credibility. Even Jill Ireland, never the most interesting of leading ladies, acquits herself well here.

Everyone here has done better work (check out Gries' extraordinarily affecting Will Penny or Ballard's work on The Wild Bunch), and it's not a life-changing experience, but that's not the point. This is an audience picture that sets out to entertain you for an hour-and-a-half, and succeeds admirably. And Jerry Goldsmith's terrific and exhilaratingly exciting score - his best in the genre - is the icing on the cake.

Great Western!
This is a great western with lots of action and it has
Charles Bronson who is a western legend(Magnificent Seven,
Chato's Land, Vera Cruz, etc). A must for Western collections!

An atypical western...
A tale of mystery and suspense in a western setting is rather uncommon, making Breakheart Pass an unusual film. It is based on the novel by Scottish author Alistair MacLean, who also wrote the screenplay. The story is centered on an army troop train on its way to Fort Humbolt, where there is apparently a medical emergency. The train is loaded with medical supplies and relief troops to replace those suffering from an epidemic. The cast is headed by Charles Bronson, as John Deakin an accused killer, and fugitive from the law. Also on board are the arresting marshal (Ben Johnson), the army troop commander (Ed Lauter), a trainman (Charles Durning), and a governor (Richard Crenna) and his mistress (Jill Ireland aka Mrs. Bronson).

While at a train stop, Deakin is arrested, and put on board the train for transport to the stockade at Humbolt. Already strange things have begun to happen, as two soldiers have disappeared. With an urgent mission to complete, the train must get under way. Trouble and misfortune begin to mount. A passenger is found dead, and then a train worker has a fatal fall. Next a whole carload of soldiers suffers a catastrophe. The survivors push on towards the fort, but find themselves with no way to communicate, as their telegraph set is mysteriously missing. What is happening, and who is behind it? Deakin investigates to try get to the bottom of the dark and deadly plot. Outlaws, Indians, guns and gold all figure into the mix. Deakin takes command of the train as it heads for a showdown in Breakheart Pass.

Breakheart Pass was written when MacLean's best works were already behind him. While it doesn't rank as one of his best books, it does make pretty good material for the big screen. The film is not outstanding, either as a western or as an action-adventure. It does however offer a different slant on the standard western story, and is presented in an easily accessible way. MacLean's script is handled capably by the large distinguished cast, under the direction of TV veteran Tom Gries. Charles Bronson's performance is very solid, and he competently carries the film. A couple of ex-athletes are also part of the train crew. Former boxer Archie Moore, plays the cook and gives Bronson all he can handle in a battle on the roof of the train. And former California and Viking QB Joe Kapp plays a train steward working for more than just tips.

Jerry Goldsmith's rousing theme music starts the movie, and then his score continues to effectively add to the enjoyment of the film. The transfer to DVD is good, but in certain scenes the poor quality of the original material shows. The DVD edition provides both widescreen and fullscreen versions, but no other extras except a tattered copy of the original trailer for the film.

Do the Locomotion: Tom Gries' Breakheart Pass
While most of Alistair Maclean's work is formulaic, consisting of good guys with a traitor in their midst (don't believe me, watch "Guns of Navarone" and "Force 10 from Navarone"), action director Gries brings together enough elements to make this a very effective film.

Bronson is arrested and taken aboard a train bound for a remote fort ravaged by diptheria. Aboard the train is a whole list of suspects, including Ben Johnson, Richard Crenna, Ed Lauter, Charles Durning, and Jill Ireland. Next, we get a wild west version of "Murder on the Orient Express," as dead people turn up constantly, and the list of criminals narrows to reveal our killer and the real reason for the trip to the fort.

For a ninety five minute film, the plot does get a little complicated. Bronson is in fine form as the mysterious criminal who figures it all out. The real star here is the action sequences, with a now classic fight on top of a moving train car. Yakima Canutt does a great job coordinating the stuntwork.

This is a change of pace western is entertaining and moves quickly, with capable cast and crew. Not a modern classic, but a good change of pace from young guns and american outlaws.

Offbeat Alistair MacLean Action Western
Trust no one and believe only half of what you see. At least that's what the trailer said. This is an odd little action film that takes place aboard a train full of mysterious characters that traverses snow covered landscapes (beautifully photographed by Lucien Ballard) and leaves bodies along the way. Charles Bronson plays the stoic John Deakin a secret service agent who tries to uncover the plot hidden aboard the train to Breakheart Pass. Once again director Tom Gries delivers a good action Western. The good cast includes Ben Johnson, Richard Crenna, Jill Ireland, Charles Durning and Ed Lauter. However I thought the real star of this film was Jerry Goldsmith's score. The powerful theme he composed for this movie advances the plot like a runaway steam engine. ... Read more

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This five-hour miniseries, which was hailed as both a critical triumph and a milestone "television event" when it originally aired in 1974, is based on the Leon Uris novel, which itself was based on a libel trial that arose after Uris published his novel Exodus. The fictionalized drama is essentially the story of two men, Dr. Adam Kelno, a Polish doctor who was imprisoned by the Nazis in a concentration camp, and Abe Cady, a successful Hollywood writer who publishes a serious book on the Holocaust that exposes Kelno's past.Playing Dr. Kelno, Anthony Hopkins steals the show, and the nuances he brings to the character keep the audience guessing whether he is in fact a dedicated healer or a diabolical villain intent on papering over a fiendish past. Ben Gazzara is credible as the tough-talking Cady, but when Hopkins leaves the action for a time the film sags and begins to resemble an ordinary TV movie. Eventually the two men's lives come into conflict when Kelno sues for libel. The trial, which takes place in a London courtroom (the "Queen's Bench VII" of the title), seeks to sort out the truth about the past of Dr. Kelno. His precise activities during the war, and how the world deals with his past, receive intelligent and dramatic treatment. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (5)

worth 5 hours of your time
The '70s was the golden era of TV mini-series, and this is one of the better ones that came along, dealing with moral and ethical themes in an intelligent fashion. The performances are generally quite good, especially Anthony Hopkins as a doctor accused of (...) atrocities and writer Ben Gazzara as his accuser, though his character is a little too abrasive and sarcastic to be totally likeable.

On the negative side, there are some shots, especially at the beginning, that are so shaky they look like outtakes from EARTHQUAKE, the Arab characters are played by Caucasians in dark make-up (conjuring up unpleasant memories of Al Jolson in blackface (some aspects of Arabic culture might not be totally authentic, either)), and there is little sense of the writer's effort in creating an epic novel or of the knowledge he uncovered implicating the doctor in (...) experiments (a few minutes of him pounding away at the typewriter in the middle of the night or pouring through piles of documents would have gone a long way toward establishing credibility here). Nevertheless, there are some moments of great power, particularly those involving the doctor achieving recognition for his selfless post-war work, and the writer's painful return to his Jewish faith after the death of his father. Not classic TV, but well worth a few nights of your time.

Great adaptation of a great book
Movie versions of great books typically fall short of expectations, simply because there is no room in two hours to convey the whole message. In this case, however, the version lasts more than 5 hours, so there was time to adapt this wonderful story faithfully. This is done very well and with good attention to detail. Bear in mind, though, that because it was originally a mini series (and therefore meant to be watched in chapters over the course of several nights), the editing is done in "chapters", and it does not play like a normal movie. It really doesn't matter, because we get an opportunity to take breaks along the way without interrupting the flow. And breaks you need, because of the 5+-hour length. All in all, this is a faithful adaptation, and an excellent video.

The Holocaust as Soap Opera
This ham-handed melodrama is notable primarily for Anthony Hopkins' breakthrough performance as a tormented concentration camp surgeon. Amateurishly structured (why couldn't the director have cut back and forth between the two protagonist's lives?) and didactic, QB VII does pick up steam during the actual trial.

Hopkins is excellent throughout as a man attempting to expiate a horrifying guilt through his work as a doctor to nomadic Arabs and poor Londoners. Unfortunately, one can't say the same about Ben Gazzara, who delivers a snide and often bullying performance dripping with excess testosterone. Leslie Caron is hamstrung by a cliched role as a dutiful wife; Lee Remick is simply wasted. Nice acting by opposing counsels Anthony Quayle and Robert Stephens (who, oddly, later played a sadistic SS commandant in "War and Remembrance").

QB VII admittedly labors under the restrictions of early Seventies television -- it's repeated use of the word "testicle" was likely quite daring at the time -- and that may well reduce the power of the story. But certainly the pedestrian script and direction don't help.

Powerful!! Hopkins as doctor accused of being Nazi Dr. Death
This is a fascinating, first rate, astoundingly well acted TV mini-series bringing together two powerful characters -- Ben Gazzara as the Nazi hunter on a mission, and the mesmerizing Anthony Hopkins as the decorated doctor accused of being a Dr. Mengele-type experimenter on human beings in concentration camps during World War II. It is hard to overstate how brilliantly well acted this film is. The story is riveting and hard to step away from even for a moment. If this were a book, it would be a page-turner.

Gazzara has never been better or classier and this is one of Anthony Hopkins' best performances ever. This award-winning movie compares favorably with any other drama on a similar subject, including Marathon Man, Judgment at Nuremberg -- what have you. The movie is bold, disturbing, engrossing -- and pulls no punches regarding the nature of the experiments run in the camps. Not for the squeamish.

I can't recommend this highly enough -- it was riveting television on first run, worthy of being a feature film, but it is richer for being a long-form TV mini-series. Very serious subject matter, and very moving at times -- the wives of the two men are well played, agonizing over their husbands' struggle in court, with Hopkins' wife standing by her husband to the end, and Lee Remick as Gazzara's wife is great as well. The climax is stunning. Treat yourself to a wonderful piece of television and use it to educate a new generation of young people as well!

Great Film!!
QBVII was a TV mini series in 1974 starring Ben Gazzara, Lee Remick and Anthony Hopkins. It is a intriging courtroom drama where Hopkins is being charged with Nazi war crimes.

This is a riveting thriller that has been long overdue on DVD. The only problem I have with the film is overlength. It will keep you watching and guessing till the end. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not as good as it might have been...
Here we have a very talkative Charles Bronson in a sub-par prison escape film. It seemed like more of a comedy than anything else. A nice turn by Randy Quaid as Bronsons goofy mechanic and a small part for Duvall. I still can't figure out why on the theatrical poster it shows a helicopter flying with a man dangling from a rope!?! It never happened in this movie but it is fun nonetheless. Just make sure you've checked out The White Buffalo, Stone Killer and St. Ives before you bother with this.

Bronson at his Best
Being a big Charles Bronson fan, i consider this to be among one of his best movies. The usually tight lipped quite guy is actually very colorful and alive in this action packed thriller. What a great cast also that are along for the ride Robert Duvall, Jull Ireland, Randy Quaid, Sheere North and even John Houston. Also, Another great score by Jerry Goldsmith. The real winner here is Bronson's performance.
Well for the DVD? it is barebones not even a trailer and although i would have loved to see some extras on this, chances of that happening are very remote. The biggest joy is to finally have this in the widescreen format 2.35:1 after countless years of watching the lousy pan and scan versions on video and laserdisc, this is a real treat to have and a MUST own for bronson fans. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Perhaps Heston's finest performance
Even more so than his Oscar-winning turn in BEN-HUR, Charlton Heston's role in the terribly underrated 1968 western WILL PENNY may well be his best ever. Frequently when he's not doing the big-budget historical epics, Heston's performances seem to be much more realistic. WILL PENNY is a case in point....

Aided by a solid script by director Tom Gries, who died too young in 1977, Heston gives a performance of real strength and character, with Hackett (who also died too young) equally fine as the lonely woman having to protect an emotionally fatherless son. WILL PENNY was primarily shot on location in the Owens Valley, at the eastern foot of the Sierra Nevada, during the winter of 1967; and this results in a very cold but still panoramic movie, superbly shot by veteran cameraman Lucien Ballard. For whatever reason, Paramount originally buried it in release in early 1968, choosing to release it simultaneously with the 20th Century Fox film PLANET OF THE APES, another Heston film that got the box office glory. Now, however, WILL PENNY is rightly regarded as a minor classic--and perhaps the real crowning glory in Heston's extremely distinguished acting career.

Perhaps Heston's finest performance
Even more so than his Oscar-winning turn in BEN-HUR, Charlton Heston's role in the terribly underrated 1968 western WILL PENNY may well be his best ever. Frequently when he's not doing the big-budget historical epics, Heston's performances seem to be much more realistic. WILL PENNY is a case in point....

Aided by a solid script by director Tom Gries, who died too young in 1977, Heston gives a performance of real strength and character, with Hackett (who also died too young) equally fine as the lonely woman having to protect an emotionally fatherless son. WILL PENNY was primarily shot on location in the Owens Valley, at the eastern foot of the Sierra Nevada, during the winter of 1967; and this results in a very cold but still panoramic movie, superbly shot by veteran cameraman Lucien Ballard. For whatever reason, Paramount originally buried it in release in early 1968, choosing to release it simultaneously with the 20th Century Fox film PLANET OF THE APES, another Heston film that got the box office glory. Now, however, WILL PENNY is rightly regarded as a minor classic--and perhaps the real crowning glory in Heston's extremely distinguished acting career.

Not just one of the best westerns, its one of the best films
Will Penny is perhaps the most realistic western ever filled. From the aged clothing and weapons (antiques rented specifically for the film) to non-Hollywood plot devices and ending the film is unsurpassed for realism. I recommend the DVD over the VHS because it contains a short film on that subject (more on the DVD version later). Charlton Heston's performance as ageing cowboy Will Penny is one of cinemas best and at times appears to be the inspiration for Robert Duvall's performance in Lonesome Dove. Familiar western faces in the supporting roles include Joan Hackett and Lee Majors and a who's who of westerns character actors (Ben Johnson, Slim Pickens, Anthony Zerbe, Bruce Dern to name just a few). If there is one flaw it is the inappropriate desert caravan score and jarring closing credits song. Despite this consideration it is a definite must for western fans. One DVD complaint, though the behind-the-scenes short shows clips in widescreen, the so-called "widescreen version" of the film is condensed and clipped. Paramount has a reputation for the worst transfers of any major studio and here is a prime example why that reputation exists. One can forgive the less-than-sharp picture because we have no idea the condition of the print, but if they had a widescreen version to gather long clips why didn't they use it for the film itself. Perhaps they were culled from a promotional short and the entire film no longer exists in its original theatrical format, but why market the DVD as part of their "Widescreen Collection," as it is labeled right there on the top of the front cover, when it was not? Just plain sloppy, and dishonest.

Heston Classic
I usually don't waste my time on thes matters but in responce to the reviewer "ageofanxiety", it is typical like that reviewer to "stereotype" Heston into the catagory of what the previous reviewer states that Heston is a actor that has "pompous roles" and STEROTYPES Heston as a "Conservative" in most of his films.Well, that is that person's opinion and it is wrong to put a great actor such as Heston into that catagory.Typical of today's reviewer that think they are experts in "avante cinnema garde" films or whatever that crap means. A movie is a MOVIE. Your so-called form of "art" is your OPINION and nothing else!This was a classic Heston role and if you want to see Heston really ACT, then I suggest you see his dual acting role in the classic movie "Mother Lode".

heston CAN act
after so many films of the conservative heston playing the conservative heston he finally remembered he was an actor and delivered a touching, humanistic performance. he is vulnerbale here and even uneducated, a far cry from the normal pompous roles heston specialized in. its a shame there werent more performances like this form him, but it is performance to be cherished.
the film has a sort of neo realism and its refreshing. the only false note lies in the overly melodramatic villians. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

3 Excellent Episodes!
This edition features 2 of the best Mexico episodes, and a superlative Japan episode. "Bet Me A Dollar" starts as a lightheared bet between a bored Kelly and Scott, which becomes a race against time as Scotty must find his friend who has been dosed with anthtrax and has only hours to live. The little boy who guest stars in this one is especially good, and delivers a very strong performance. "Carmelita" is another great one from the Mexico arc as the boys become unwitting babysitters for infant Carmelita as "the opposition" chase after them. (Watch for a cool moment in the teaser as Cosby says a line too early and Culp has to cut him off.) "Tatia" is a very dramatic episode which sees Kelly fall for a beautiful photographer whom Scotty suspects is an opposition agent. A great moment occurs when Scott tells Kelly there's no way he's going out let him out to meet her, and calls down to the lobby to let them know they may hear some loud noises like a fight, but not to worry, it's only a sound effects record. The only drawback to this edition is the video quality of "Tatia" which is a little off, probably due to the source material. But the content more than makes up for it. As usual the other episodes are strikingly clear and beautiful. Remarkable for a series over 35 years old! This is a must have for the I Spy fan, featuring 3 of the best of the series. ... Read more

Description

In the early months of 1965, actor and screenwriter Robert Culp undertook a task that would change his life forever. Secretly working without the knowledge of the show's producers, he wrote several scripts for "I Spy." Ultimately these scripts would become some of the series' most popular and acclaimed shows. Now, for the first time, Robert Culp candidly reveals the intriguing story behind the scenes of "I Spy" in unique and exciting commentaries about this groundbreaking television series. Episodes: "The War Lord" - Assigned to rescue an attractive but impulsive young English girl being held hostage in the back country of Southeast Asia, Robinson and Scott are stymied when she refuse to leave. Co-Starring Jean Marsh. "Court of the Lion" - An Oxford-educated Zulu seeks revenge on white men by selling industrial diamonds to the Red Chinese. Co-Starring Godfrey Cambridge. "Magic Mirror" - Kelly Robinson learns that the woman he loves is linked to an exiled dictator he and Scott are assigned to investigate. Co-Starring France Nuyen and Ricardo Montalban. "Home to Judgement" - Robinson and Scott bungle an assignment and become the hunted rather than the hunters in a deadly cat-and-mouse game across a rugged midwest prairie. Co-Starring Will Geer and Robert Donner.Audio Commentary by actor/writer Robert Culp ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Culp Collection, A Must Have!
The Commentary on this second of the Culp Collection discs is amazing! Even better than the the first one. Robert Culp gets more into the personal relationships on the show, and the material on Sheldon Leonard, France Nuyen and others is nothing less than fascinating. The behind the scenes material is a real treasure, and the technical information on writing for series television is like a university course. If you're an I Spy fan do yourself a favor and get them both. As usual with this Image Entertainment DVD series the show looks breathtakingly beautiful. They did a superb job on these discs. And Mr.Culp, if you're reading this, thank you for all the great work, and there has to be a behind the scenes book in this milestone series! We're dying to read it!

The War Lord
Robert Culp is an amazing man with more talent than I can ever put into words in this review. There are two DVD's that are the "Robert Culp Collection" and I think they contain the best of all the I Spy shows. The War Lord and Home to Judgement have always been two of my favorite episodes and in seeing them again, I remember why I have always felt this way.

Written and performed beautifully, the candy cane inside the pickle on these two DVD's is commentary by Robert Culp.

If you buy no other I Spy DVD's, buy these two.

Great writing for television
Today the raves are for Aaron Sorkin and The West Wing, two decades ago it was Bochco and Hill Street Blues, but some of the writing done on I Spy (most by series star Robert Culp) was every bit as lively, crisp and topical as TV is today.
The episodes on this disk, specifically Magic Mirror and Home To Judgement, are some of the best television scripts ever produced.
This is part of a double-DVD set, with all episodes written by series star Robert Culp. I've read where Culp locked himself away in a secluded house with no phone to write these episodes, and the dedication shows.
Magic Mirror is more than just a cold war thriller, it's plot is a Shakesperean tragedy for the jet set set against the backdrop of a small country being tugged over like a rope caught in superpower's jaws.
Home To Judgement illustrates that television heroes aren't always shaved and well dressed, and that sometimes things do go wrong. The end sequence has Robinson and Scott shooting it out inside a cramped farm house with hoods whose faces you never quite see ... it is quite sureal.
Great series. A big screen movie with Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson is in the works, but I don't think it'll live up to the small screen rendition. ... Read more

Description

The incredible career of perhaps the greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali, is dramatized in this exciting film starring Ali himself. Fresh from his gold medal victory at the Olympic Games, 18-year-old Cassius Clay is ready to seek the heavyweight championship. Under the masterful guidance of trainer Angelo Dundee (Ernest Borgnine). Clay snatches the title from Sonny Liston. Soon afterward, Clay converts to the Islam religion and changes his name to Muhammad Ali. When he is suddenly classified 1A by the Draft Board that earlier rejected him, Ali refuses the draft on religious grounds. His hard-won title is taken from him. Winning a three-and-a-half year long court battle. Ali returns to the ring for what have been some of the greatest fights of all time. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

It was a nice movie, if not the Greatest
This was a nice movie. It was enjoyable. To take this movie to seriously might not be a good idea, but if you just wanna see Ali its good to watch. The acting is terrible, the only actors who were good in the movie were Ali himself and James Earl Jones. It was obviously a low budget movie, and if your not an Ali fan you might not like it. But Ali himself was charming in the movie and it's worth buying. If you want to see what Ali was like you should get this, if you want to see the events of his life in a clearer more serious way, get Ali with Will Smith.

Neither movie however does Ali's whole life full justice, so you might want to get an Ali documentary if you want to have a fuller look at Ali.

I thought I was renting a documentary
Expecting to see a documentary of the great man I was rather surprised when I realised this is in fact a film starring Ali himself detailing what he sees as the key points in his life.

As the three stars indicates this film is a mixed bag. Ali does a solid job of portraying himself and the ever brilliant Ernest Borgnine does a good job as Angelo Dundee. The storyline is somewhat disjointed and seeing an old Ali replaying his youthful antics is only a limited success.

There are points in the film where Ali is acting like a prize ..., whether he intentional meant to show this or whether he still didn't realise considering it was still only 1977 when this was made I am not sure.

Like the life of Muhammad Ali himself there are some areas of the film which age very well whilst others already seem rather embarressing and will only get worse as time goes on.

Ali's risking prison by refusing to be inducted into the military is a great example of a principled stand, something that will never be diminished.

However the three stages of Ali's interest in women is an example of the rather dated attitudes of the day. First we have Ali with the white hooker, thankfully saved ...by the calling of Malcolm X. The not so subtle message of this encounter equating white women as basically [easy] who are there to tempt the black man from the righteous path is racist nonsense. Ali is then saved by the perverted ideology of the Nation of Islam as spoken by Malcolm X (bizzarely played by James Earl Jones) and their "blue eyed devil" hate filled speaches. Next he moves to a transitional stage where he is with a black woman who is swiftly got rid of once she dares to dress provocatively and heaven forbid is willing to talk, even flirt with the devil white man. Finally Ali gets the perfect girl, your classic submissive and virginal young black muslim girl who needs her parents permission to go on a date.

The scenes where Ali encounters racism is no more or less convincing than the usual Hollywood stuff. Ali looks all noble whilst some small time actor is paid to stand there and call him "boy" and generally give him grief.

All in all this is probably only going to be enjoyed by the Ali fan. As someone who is a huge fan of the man despite recognising his many shortcomings I found it interesting. Someone with a limited knowledge would perhaps be better off with the modern day Wil Smith epic.

ps. I noticed they didnt include Ali getting pole-axed by 'enrys Hammer (Henry Cooper) in London. Where only the quick thinking of Angelo Dundee ripping Ali's glove and thus stopping the fight for five minutes and allowing Ali to recover prevented him from losing. ;)

Chip Mcalister
Chip was excellent in this movie and I know what happened to him. I ran into him in San Clamente, Ca and ate lunch with him. He seems to be doing very well. Good actor and good guy. 11/16/02

Perfect for the hard-core Ali fan
To sum it up, "The Greatest" is not a very well made movie. There are a few very taltented actors in it, but overall the movie lacks that certain special somthing that a movie needs to be good. Most of the scenes are dull, long and drawn out. And i don't believe that Muhammad Ali was the perfect choice to play Muhammad Ali, he really is not a good actor. But I did enjoy the movie, because I am a huge Muhammad Ali Fan. Many that ive heard have tried to compare this movie and the recently released "Ali" on DVD. But you can't really compare the two movies. "The Greatest", even though it's not a very good movie, its does portray what happened in Muhammad Ali's life very well. But the movie "Ali" does not portray his life, It just portray's Muhammad Ali himself, not his life. So I would say that this movie is a must for those who want to know more about Ali. Then after wards, rent or buy "Ali" to understand Ali's mind. when you do that, you'll have a great understanding of what kind of person, what kind of things he had to go through, and a much higher respect for "The Greatest."

More compelling than ALI with Will Smith
The day after I paid to see the film ALI, starring Will Smith, THE GREATEST, starring Muhammad Ali (playing himself), showed up on cable television. I had high hopes for ALI and low expectations for THE GREATEST.

The better picture? THE GREATEST. That's not saying much (if you saw ALI), but if nothing else THE GREATEST is worth a look for Muhammad Ali's charming performance. THE GREATEST offers several compelling scenes, even if they don't add up to a coherent film, all anchored by the ever-watchable Ali.

As the 5/30/00 review points out, Muhammad Ali doesn't sanitize himself in THE GREATEST. However, the movie's 1960s documentary fight footage followed by Ali, age 36, playing himself at age 22, breaks your concentration. Thankfully, talented actors, including Ernest Borgnine, James Earl Jones and Robert Duvall, help Ali pull it together. See THE GREATEST. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Affair in T'sien Cha" - A train bound for Hong Kong disappears, and Robinson and Scott are assigned to solve the mystery. Co-Starring Vera Miles. "Carry Me Back to Old Tsing Tao" - American merchant Charley Haun in Hong Kong asks agents Robinson and Scott to deliver a million dollars in back taxes to the U.S. so he can die honorably in his native village."Danny Was a Million Laughs" - Robinson and Scott do their best to keep their moving target, Danny, from getting killed, but they cannot move fast enough to save Danny's henchmen Sam and Genius. Co-Starring Martin Landau. "A Cup of Kindness" - In Hong Kong, secret agents Robinson and Scott are ordered to kill one of their own colleagues, Russ Conley, who has turned traitor. Co-Starring David Friedkin. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good to see spy series on DVD
I've been an I Spy fan for nearly 30 years, since seeing it in repeats in the early 70s, and the show is hard to find on broadcast television -- cable or otherwise. In short, this is a great DVD for fans of the series, spy genre or action shows. The DVD rocks. It's clear and the color is vibrant. That's not always the case on some DVDs or VHS releases on TV shows. Also, there's no translucent company logo that pops up on the screen. A big plus, because some companies do that too. The release order seems to be following most of the shows from the first season of I Spy. Hopefully, the company will release all the episodes. If there's any drawback it's the lack of "extras" that many DVDs come with, but that's not a true need for something like this, just a nice to have. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "This Guy Smith" - Robinson and Scott pose as vacationing fishermen at a mountain resort while attempting to ferret out an enemy agent on murder charges. Co-Starring Diana Muldaur. "Turnabout for Traitors" - Kelly Robinson is accused of being a traitor to the United States and is hunted down by his own colleagues, including partner Alexander Scott. Co-Starring Peter Donat and Ross Elliot. "Happy Birthday Everybody" - Robinson and Scott try to thwart a vengeful escaped prisoner's plot to destroy the now-retired agent who arrested him. Co-Starring Jim Backus and Gene Hackman. "Shana" - Theft of a top-secret sample of rocket fuel brings Robinson and Scott to Acapulco on the trail of a beautiful but elusive suspect. Co-Starring Albert Dekker and Gloria Foster. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Masterful Production & Acting
Robert Culp has been my favourite actor since he starred in the Western Series: TRACKDOWN. The chemistry between Culp & Cosby was blessed magic and the series went on to win dozens of top awards including 2 EMMYS and THE GOLDEN GLOBE. It was the FIRST action series on TV to be shot on actual locations from Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Greece, Africa, the U.S. and Las Vegas. Robert Culp gained my admiration not only as a most credible actor, but his talents went far beyond the realm of acting. Mr. Culp has play numerous roles, and Mr. Peter Falk has always spoken honourably of him for the roles he played in Columbo. He even wrote some of the stories for the series of I SPY, even donning dual roles. I SPY was a true, down-to-earth portrayal of the spy business. The ad lib technique of Culp and Cosby engendered a level of talent that has NEVER been equalled. Hats off to the best! Mr. Culp and Mr. Cosby, I hope you see this!!! --wes shrader ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I Spy - So Long Patrick Henry and The Warlord
Since other reviewers have commented on the high quality of the dramas on these two discs, I want to talk about the audio commentary by actor/writer Robert Culp, which is, if you are interested in how series TV was created in the Sixties, reason enough to buy these DVDs. Mr. Culp talks engagingly and personally about the genesis of the series; his troubled professional relationship with producer Sheldon Leonard; his unsuccessful attempts to get Sam Peckinpah hired onto the show as a director; the unadulterated joy of working with Bill Cosby for three years; where his script ideas came from and how they were developed; working with creative collaborators like directors Richard Serafian and Tom Gries; how John Chambers worked, unpaid, for six months to create Culp's make-up for "The Warlord"; how Earl Hagen's scores enriched certain shows -- in short, everything you've ever wanted to know about I SPY. These excellant commentaries -- thorough, entertaining, and well-researched -- add up to the book about I SPY that no one has yet written. Much thanks to Mr. Culp and Image Entertainment for these invaluable discs.

The Best Episodes Ever!
Robert Culp saved "I Spy" from being just another spy show during the James Bond craze of the early and mid-sixties. He saved it by writing intelligent scripts that were long on characterization and tight, swiftly-moving plots, a stark difference from the wincingly trite bill of fare offered up to us on shows like "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." and others. Culp's scripts showed us that Robinson and Scott were a couple of CIA working-stiff operatives with plenty of heart, rather than comic book superheroes in tight pants. Kel and Scotty sweated and suffered through their jobs, and the episodes on this first volume of the Robert Culp collection were amongst their finest hours. Honestly, this is arguably the among the finest television that came out of the sixties, certainly in the spy genre, if not in television as a whole. We owe a great deal to Robert Culp for raising the bar in television drama to establish a standard of excellence that is still recognized today. All three episodes are cases-in-point, but if I had to pick one out of the lot, I would say that "The Loser" is the finest. This episode covers an incredible amount of ground in 51 minutes and never-not once-meanders into the absurd. An excellent plot and moving, relevant dialog make for one hell of a fine viewing experience, and even the most discriminating audience will be pleased. Incidentally, the commentary tracks (there are three) are informative and entertaining, too. Thanks, Bob, for all of your hard work on "I Spy" and all of the other shows on which your talent and heart showed through. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the 1960s audiences were crazy for secret agents, and two of the coolest guys to go undercover were found on television's I Spy. Robert Culp and Bill Cosby played a pair of American agents whose cover story was that they were a pair of happy-go-lucky globetrotting athletes following the "tennis circuit." The show was considered something of a milestone in the 1960s for having an African American in a lead role, but when viewed decades later what's remarkable about the show is simply how much fun it was. In the four episodes in this package Culp and Cosby run around Hong Kong and Tokyo, looking totally cool in blazers, sneakers, and sunglasses, and their battles with agents working for "the other guys" always seem to involve beautiful women. The assignments given the unlikely agents, such as finding a foreign agent who is to be traded for an American spy plane pilot, or stopping "Red China's top scientists" from waging germ warfare, are utterly implausible. But who cares? What counts is that the agents engage in flashy martial arts slugfests with enemy agents, have gun battles in back alleys, and must always ponder the motivations of the aforementioned beautiful women. These programs epitomize escapist entertainment. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Tag You're It
This DVD contains my all-time favorite "I Spy" episode, "An American Empress," featuring France Nuyen, who was Robert Culp's wife at the time. I looked it up and it was originally broadcast on Christmas Day in 1967. I happened to catch the rerun in August just before the show was cancelled by NBC.

This episode was shot on location in San Francisco and includes Culp and Bill Cosby at their best in terms of the rapport between the two. There's also a catchy jazz theme throughout.

4 Unforgettable episodes- Spy School!
The first three episodes on this wonderful DVD are set in San Francisco. In "An American Empress", Robinson & Scott take a beautiful Chinese heiress (Frances Nuyen) on a tour of the city, only to discover that she plays an unwitting part in a plot to gain control of the government of China. The 2nd episode is one of the best of the entire series: "Anyplace I Hang Myself Is Home"; After Alexander Scott mysteriously tries to take his own life, a series of flashbacks show Scott & Robinson's early days in spy school, including their very first encounter with one another, in which both consider the other "helplessly square"!! In "Tag, you're It", our heroes return to spy school for a training exercise that goes badly wrong (look for our boys hiding out in the Haight-Ashbury district dressed as Hippies!); and in "A Few Miles West Of Nowhere", the pair investigate the killing of a fellow agent in a small town in which local vigilantes make them less than welcome. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Chrysanthemum" - Assigned to recover stolen documents, agents Robinson and Scott are ordered to assist Maximilian D'Brouget, an eager but hopelessly confused counterspy. Co-Starring Marcel Hillaire. "Dragon's Teeth" - Robinson and Scott are being introduced to George Serengi, fiance of hostess Alicia Cavanaugh, when Serengi drops to the floor, apparently poisoned. Co-Starring Mike Faulkner and Joanne Linville. "No Exchange on Damaged Merchandise"--In Hong Kong, agents Robinson and Scott seek double agent Erik Thorsten, the only person the Communists will trade for a captured American pilot. Co-Starring Kurt Kreuger and Sue Randall. "A Time of the Knife"--Missing microfilm is involved in the untimely death of agent Michael Fane in Kyoto, Japan, and places his bereaved fiancee, Jean Dillard, in great danger. Co-Starring Madlyn Rhue and Warren Stevens. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I Spy, I Like!
One of my favorite old TV series is "Man from UNCLE". With actors Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, how couldn't I like it? So when I found this DVD I though I'd try it out. And I though "I Spy" was fantastic! Robert Culp and Bill Cosby are good! There are four episodes in one DVD:

"Chrysanthemum": Agents Telly Robinson (Robert Culp) and Alexander Scott (Bill Cosby) are forced to work with Maximilian D'Brouget (Marcel Hillaire), a very eager yet not very bright counterspy.* Most boring episode of all four episodes. Very slow, I wince every time I see D'Brouget mess up, which he does quite often.

"Dragon's Teeth": While in Hong Kong, Robinson's old friend, Alicia Cavanaugh (Joanne Linville) introduces him and Scott to her fiance, George Serengi (Mike Faulkner). But while at a party, Serengi dies mysteriously.* Makes up for "Chrysanthemum". The ending was so surprising I at first couldn't believe it!

"No Exchange Damaged Merchandise": Again in Hong Kong, Robinson and Scott look all over for Eric Thorsten (Kurt Kreuger) to exchange him for a captured American pilot from the Communists.* Another good episode. Culp and Cosby's banter is very funny!

"A Time of the Knife": When Robinson's friend, Michael Fane (Warren Stevens) is killed in an accident, he and Scott are sent on a mission to find some missing microfilm with the help Fane's fiancee, Jean Dillard (Madlyn Rhue).* Culp and Cosby are really good at judo! They actually do a lot of it. But the most interesting thing about the episode is that it takes place in Japan. I live in Japan and has been to most of the places, though it's much more modern now than it was before.

Though "Man from UNCLE" is my forever favorite, I would still like to get more of the "I Spy" DVDs. People who like old movies and TV series will like "I Spy"!

Early Episodes - Work in Progress
The early episodes, in Hong Kong especially, have a certain poignancy, but they're too trite and corny and sometimes stilted to really love.

Chrysanthemum introduces "Scottie's Theme" and other tunes that were a staple of the show. Besides on-site camera work - for the most part (you can see the LA coastline in some of the scenes) the show was a vehicle for Earle Hagen's music. This episode was a Pink Panther rip-off but its saving grace was the "goodness" of the two heros and they're love of other people, their loyalty to Max, regardless of how ridiculous he is.

Dragon's Teeth is an attempt at an Agatha Christie story. You get a look at a young James Hong, playing an old man, what else? For the most part it's slow and Alicia Cavanaugh's make-up is hideous.

No Exchange ... about half-good. Has themes that are echoed in future episodes, and the heroes start to look hip.

Time of the Knife - now we're getting there. The scenery is great but the story has a tendency to limp, and the music is not well integrated. Nevertheless, worth four stars - the dialog works in nearly every scene. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "There Was a Little Girl" - Assigned to guard the teenage daughter of a U.S. Cabinet Member, Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott discover that "baby-sitting" can be a very hazardous operation. Co-Starring Mary-Jane Saunders. "Sparrowhawk" - The youthful ruler of a foreign country visits Las Vegas on a vacation but it is no holiday for agents Robinson and Scott when they are entrusted with the safety of the boy, who becomes an assassin's target. Co-Starring Clive Clerk "Its All Done With Mirrors" - Brainwashed by a hostile power until he believes his friend Alexander Scott is a traitor to the U.S., Kelly Robinson sets out to murder his fellow agent. Co-Starring Fay Spain and Carroll O'Connor. "Lori" - Nancy Wilson is a guest star as a Las Vegas singer embroiled in the violence of international intrigue when her would-be agent brother is marked for death. Co-Starring Malachi Throne and Greg Morris. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Bridge of Spies" - On assignment in Italy, agents Robinson and Scott meet a beautiful Italian guide who takes them on a tour of baffling murders. Co-Starring Barbara Steele. "A Gift from Alexander" - Agents Robinson and Scott do some moonlighting between assignments to help locate a priceless manuscript in Venice, Italy. Co-Starring Anna Karina and Michael Constantine. "To Florence with Love, Part I" - Katie, an innocent New England girl, attempts to return a priceless painting to a gallery in Italy. She is thwarted by a band of bumbling but dedicated Italian thieves. Co-Starring Joey Heatherton. "To Florence with Love, Part II" - Stunned to learn that the Madonna portrait they have delivered is a fake, Robinson, Scott and Katie concoct a desperate scheme to correct their goof before the news gets out in the conclusion part of "To Florence with Love." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A good collections of episodes
I was introduce to this series by the move I Spy Retrun.

The only episode I didn't like the first time is the "A Gift from Alexander", all other three episodes is very well done.

That is why I give it 4/5.

A great series ill served
From one of the greatest TV-series ever made, these episodes are wonderful. But...these are, without a doubt, the worst DVD transfers you will ever see. No attention was paid to the quality of the transfer - they continually go in and out of focus. I have both #13 and this one and they are both dreadful quality. I'd love to buy all of them but I won't buy another. I have a state of the art gaming computer and every DVD I own plays perfectly except for these I-Spy DVDs. Image Entertainment and Peter Rodgers Organization should be ashamed to be foisting these off on the public. Disgraceful.

Good for fans of the series
If you like I Spy then get this DVD. It has the only two part episode (To Florence With Love) and a good spy episode with Bridge of Spies. The best of the lot, on this DVD, is A Gift From Alexander. It's an engaging, humorous tale with good plot and twists. In the end, Robinson and Scott get decorated by the USSR. A hoot, considering this was filmed/aired during the mid-60s. The color and quality of the episodes are good. But there are no extras that many DVDs now-a-days have. It has chapter selections that are basically the same places where the comercials would have went. Still, if you are an I Spy fan, or spy show fan, this is a good one. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Blackout" - When Kelly Robinson is implicated in the murder of a beautiful Russian ballerina and suspected agent, he and his partner Alexander Scott are given eight hours to disprove the charges. Co-Starring Zohra Lampert and Alan Oppenheimer. "Room with a Rack" - Obviously troubled over his slow physical and emotional recovery from a severe beating that imperils his career and a normal life, Kelly Robinson takes desperate measures to prove his worth. "Get Thee to a Nunnery" - American and British intelligence agents attempt to outfox each other while seeking a reputed fortune in World War II contraband. Co-Starring Peter Lawford. "Mainly on the Plains" - A fun-loving old man whose formula for a missile device places him in constant jeopardy refuses to take the threats seriously. Co-Starring Boris Karloff. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Three Out Of Four Ain't Bad
Out of the four episodes presented on this disc, two are outstanding, and one is pretty darned good, especially if you're a Boris Karloff fan (you know who you are). Despite the fact that the episode entitled "Get Thee To A Nunnery" would have been better left on the cutting room floor, the disc is worth having, especially at the nice price. "Blackout" is superb, and is a showcase for Robert Culp's excellent acting skills. No other actor during the '60's spy craze gave such credibility to his character than Bob Culp, and his work here proves why audiences then (and now) preferred to spend their Thursday nights with the NBC Peacock. "Room With A Rack," is also a fine episode, although the writer(s) do, at times, ask the audience to suspend their groundings in reality just a tad too far and too long(just why would a highly trained undercover CIA agent allow himself to be persuaded--in public--to fight a bull in a ring? Criminey!). Ah, but such is the nature of television, and it sure the hell beat out anything else out there in the genre at that time. Which brings us to "Mainly On The Plains," a light-hearted look at an eccentric rocket scientist (Boris Karloff), whose belief that he is Cervantes's Don Quixote is due to the burdens of carring around a secret anti-missile missle formula. That Culp and Cosby had a great time filming the story is patently obvious, and their repartee transcends the flaws in the script (a guard strums a guitar to the chords of a Rodrigo guitar sonata, rather than holding Scott, Robinson and Don Silvando at bay with a machine gun, which is propped up against a wall. Double-criminey!!). I suspect that working with Mr. Karloff was a treat for the two principles, as their light-heartedness pervades through the entire episode and is downright infectious. Of particular note is Earle Hagen's delightful score, which rounds out the episode quite nicely. Three out of four episodes ain't too bad, and I Spy-lovers should be pleased. ... Read more</