Amazon.com

A widower rancher and single father ain't your typical TV Western hero. But put a Winchester in his hands and he becomes the Rifleman. Chuck Connors may have struck out as a major-league baseball player, but he was a hit as Lucas McCain in this classic 1958-1963 series that was reportedly Leonid Brezhnev's favorite American TV show. When the former Russian leader visited the U.S. in the early 1970s, he requested to meet Connors. This DVD contains the series' first four episodes, in which McCain and his idolizing son Mark make a fresh start in the "new and mighty fine country" of North Folk, New Mexico. The Wild Bunch director Sam Peckinpah wrote the first two episodes. In "Sharpshooter," McCain takes on the corrupt businessman who has rigged a turkey shoot (that's Dennis Hopper as McCain's competition). In "Home Ranch," henchmen of cattleman Oat Jackford drag McCain from a horse and burn his ranch to run him off his property. Peckinpah is at the reins of the episode "The Marshall," which introduced series regular Paul Fixx as redeemed sheriff Micah Torrance. The Peckinpah touch: one character is blown away with wind-tunnel force, and McCain himself is gunned down. "End of a Young Gun" guest-stars a pre-Bonanza Michael Landon as a bank robber who re-evaluates his life while recuperating from an injury at McCain's ranch. A bonus episode features veteran character actor Jack Elam as a local bully who is taught a lesson by a visiting Italian count. These episodes are surprisingly gritty and brutal. When McCain gets fired up, he goes ballistic. "I'll kill your stock and burn your barns," he threatens Jackford in "Home Ranch." But when things really get tough, he still takes time to teach Mark the story of Job. --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Rifleman Vol 1 - A Revisit after forty years
I first saw " The Rifleman " series in Singapore in the mid 1960s. My family enjoyed watching this show. In particular, my elder brother and I grew up with the western films - on screen and TV. After more than 40 years, I still remember vividly Chuck Connors as the super-hero Rifleman. I really enjoyed this DVD and saw all 5 series in a row. I long for more, as the Rifleman is a different kind of hero from the modern hero I see today. The Rifleman balances both compassion with justice in withholding right values against wrong.There is a sense of genuinness when he fought for justice compared with today's heroes.
The 5 shows are very clear with superb sound and voice clarity. Till today, Chuck Connors remains my favourite hero and justice icon.

Terrific, Peckinpah-Directed Episodes Best
The first episode (pilot episode) is the best. Episodes handled by Sam Peckinpah are the best because they have a somewhat harder "edge" and never get "sappy" as this series did in its last year or so (this DVD has the most Peckinpah episodes).

Too bad we get shortchanged, this DVD needs at least two more espisodes. DVD's longer service life makes it worthwhile to upgrade to have the best episodes of the best western series.

"The Rifleman" is superior to the other westerns of its era, nearly 30 years after its debut, this series was a prime component of one cable channel's lineup. Surprisingly, Conners began a short-lived attorneys series immediately after "The Rifleman" went off the air. This series was a coming together of talented actors with good chemistry together, mostly good scripts, and the best music of any TV show ever.

The Rifeman...The story begins.
"The Rifleman" was on TV before I was born, and though I dimly remembered the show growing up, I really became acquainted with the program when it was carried for a time on the Family Channel a few years ago. I enjoyed the program immensely, attracted by the relationship between Lucas McCain and his son Mark. Wonderful acting by the tough as nails Chuck Connors, and the adorable Johnny Crawford. Time really flies watching this program, it seems that it has only just begun, and then suddenly it's over. The same can be said of this DVD, as the episodes seem to quickly slip by one after another.

McCain is a single father, trying to find a new life with his son in North Fork. His goal is to teach his son what he needs to know to survive in the old wild West. McCain's methods are basic "tough love", and may seem harsh by today's standards. But underneath the gruff exterior, is the true warm love of a father for his son. A similar treatment is applied to others undergoing life crisis, like the alcoholic Micah Torrance, and Michael Landon's outlaw character, as well as many others in future episodes in order to help them see the error of their ways.

Issues of morality are typically presented as black and white, compromise is usually out of the question. Justice is often administered by McCain's tricked out Winchester lever-action rifle. Some episodes (particularly Peckinpah's), not necessarily in this collection, are particularly violent. The violence is treated as necessary, but the dead are not dwelt upon, and therefore the effect is softened, and passes as we fade to the commercial break. McCain kills only when forced to, and as a last resort.

Others may not agree, but "The Rifleman" is a show about men, primarily for men. Sure, it will find an audience with some women, but this show definitely has a masculine view of the world. In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks, there may more of an audience for a program where moral issues are clear, and justice is swift.

My only complaint is that there is not enough material included. Five episodes is good, but six, seven, or eight would have been better. Sorry, but I'm greedy, and don't want to buy an excessive number of DVD's to complete a series (like Star Trek or Twilight Zone). Volumes 3 and 4 already scheduled for release, so we can look forward to more Rifleman DVD's. Picture quality is excellent, and Elmer Bernstein's moving music comes in at all the right moments.

Whether you are not familiar with this series or not, this is definitely the place to begin. And thanks to MPI Home Video, there will be many more adventures on DVD to look forward to. This collection is highly recommended, and the best is yet to come.

One of the most popular westerns
MPI Home Video breaks new and welcome ground with the launching of a series of classic television programs in a DVD format for the home entertainment market. The Rifleman was one of the most popular of the westerns that dominated a early decade of American television and starred Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son, Mark McCain. Volume 1 (07886-0314-0, [amt.], 140 minutes) of the Rifleman series begins the debut episode "Sharpshooter" which introduced the principle characters as Lucas and Mark arrive in the North Folk area to buy their own ranch. In "Home Ranch" the McCains find themselves targeted for expulsion by a highhanded trail boss and his crew. "End Of A Young Gun" has Lucas compelled to give refuge to a young bank robber whose leg had been injured while saving Mark from falling off a cliff -- the enforced stay with the McCain family has unexpected consequences! "The Marshal" introduced a series regular as Lucas gives work to a drunk who was once a famous lawman -- and helps Micah Torrance regain his sobriety and a place as the Marshall of North Fork. "Duel Of Honor" features an Italian Count provoked to a gun challenge by rowdy cowhands.

TV Western classic
Once you get beyond the kitschy intro and the occasional schmaltz, you get some outstanding early work by Sam Peckinpah and other western writers. Three or four out of the five episodes in this first series were written and in some cases directed by Peckinpah. None are simple good guy/bad guy stories, and the acting as well as the scripts are above average. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Little Boy Lost" - A teen-aged boy, reacting to the cold indifference of his father, a busy scientist, becomes the object of a frantic search by friendly and enemy agents when he disappears with a piece of classified equipment. Co-Starring Ronnie Howard. "Casanova from Canarsie" - A meek ex-government file clerk with knowledge of the U.S. nuclear program goes on vacation in Spain and becomes the target of a modern Mata Hari. Co-Starring Wally Cox and Leticin Roman. "Night Train to Madrid" - A troupe of USO entertainers is headed by a self-centered comedian who becomes an enemy propaganda target. Co-Starring Don Rickles and Barbara McNair. "Cops and Robbers" - Tommy, an enemy agent who exploits his friendship with Alexander Scott, attempts to steal top-secret data. Co-Starring Jim Brown and Beah Richards. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Winner--Even With Rickles
OK, so Rickles has a limited appeal (at best)--so what! While it's pretty ponderous (I wish I wouldn't spit when I say that), "Night Train To Madrid" is interesting, if for no other reason than to see Don Rickles play a character, rather than himself. Rickles started out as an actor, and while he's no slouch, the episode does drag. It appears evident that Culp and Cosby weren't too thrilled about the script; they lack their customary energy, and the whole thing seems like a collective shrug of the shoulder.

Now then, onto the good stuff. "Little Boy Lost" is a swell episode, even though the bad guys are wearing suits in a Santa Monica amusement park (!), and you can spot 'em a mile away. Welllll, it's 1966 entertainment, folks, so deal with it and look beyond the small stuff. In this episode, Kelly is less a womanizer than he is an idealist (he argues the virtues of "The Federalist" over "Das Kapital," thereby blowing his carnal chances with a shapely blonde spy), but loses none of his appeal as a charmer in the face of danger ("Hi there! How're things on your side??"). All in all it's not bad, and the Chayefsky-esque ending is a scream.

"Casanova From Canarsie" is fluff, pure and simple, but it's pretty funny, and allows Culp to stretch out his comedic talents. Cosby maintains an air of mock dignity a la Oliver Hardy throughout, perfectly consistent with the character of Alexander Scott. On the whole, a nice offering.

Ah, but "Cops and Robbers"--the best is saved for last. This episode marks one of Bill Cosby's finest performances, and with an intelligient subtlety explores the depth of his friendship with Kelly. Clearly, by the end of 1966, Cosby had perfected the character of a man who is both cool and complex. True, Jim Brown and his henchman are casted as the stereotypical badman and his psychotic assistant, but I will presume that this was done to illustrate the stark contrasts between the villains and the controlled intelligience of Robinson and Scott. After all, there's alot of ground to cover 51 minutes, and the "I Spy" team pulls it off quite well. I'd give this disc 4 1/2 stars.

Oh, by the way, the video image is superb throughout this disc, although I did notice that the soundtrack seemed muted, particularly on "Cops and Robbers." Still, this is a superb disc, and well worth the pittance it costs to experience a fine television series at the peak of its powers.

Episodes
This is not so much a review as to tell which episodes are on this DVD. Little Boy Lost (of course) with Ron Howard as a misunderstood boy who steals a piece of equiptment to get noticed by his too-busy Dad.

Casanova From Canarsie with Wally Cox as a government file clerk who becomes the target of a spy because of what he knows about the U.S. nuclear program.

Night Train to Madrid with Don Rickles as an obnoxious entertainer in a USO show.

Cops and Robbers (a boyhood friend of Scott's tries to use the relationship to get top-secret data). ... Read more

Amazon.com

Waging the Cold War with maximum cool, Robert Culp and Bill Cosby played offbeat secret agents for the U.S. Department of Defense in the classic mid-1960s TV program I Spy. Using the cover of "tennis bums on the circuit," the two roamed the world on unusual and very dangerous assignments that inevitably brought them into contact with plenty of action, romance, and tongue-in-cheek humor. The program was novel at the time for casting an African American in a lead role, but for the most part the show wasn't meant to be terribly serious. In the episodes in this collection the agents do clandestine battle with various bad guys and even face a dangerous international villain played to the hilt by the show's producer, Sheldon Leonard. The individual plots hardly matter, of course, as the point is that the dashing undercover agents get into fistfights that are accompanied by jazzy soundtracks, meet up with dangerous ladies in evening gowns, and manage to make sardonic comments no matter the danger. Yet one surprising episode does inject a bit of dark reality into program, as it begins in an office in the Pentagon, and involves Culp parachuting into jungles somewhere in Southeast Asia. Films of B-52s flying in formation may bring some seriousness to the proceedings, but for the most part these I Spy episodes are classics of escapist television. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Description

Episodes:
Pinwheel - Melanie, a somewhat scatterbrained but highly effective agent, becomes an unwelcome third member of the Robinson and Scott team on an Acapulco assignment. Co-Starring Arlene Galonka.
Name of the Game - A deranged former Army officer uses Robinson and Scott as quarries in a macabre version of a big game hunt. Co-Starring Lloyd Nolan.
Suitable for Framing - A routine assignment to accompany a government VIP on a trip through Mexico erupts into an international incident. Co-Starring Dan Tobin and John Fiedler.
The Spy Business - Robinson and Scott investigate the actions of a fellow agent and close friend suspected of being a traitor. Co-Starring Dane Clark and Paul Richards. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: " Lisa" - Wedding plans of a pretty mail-order bride from Greece are marred soon after her arrival in the United States when she is suspected of being an enemy courier. Co-Starring Linda Marsh. "So Coldly Sweet" - A beautiful enemy agent's alleged defection to the United States becomes a cause celebre assignment. Co-Starring Diana Hyland. "Trial by Treehouse" - Agents Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott participate in a desparate masquerade in an attempt to thwart the sabotaging of a Stateside hydroelectric plant. Co-Starring Cicely Tyson and Douglas Leonard. "Will the Real Good Guys Please Stand Up" - Two enemy agents assume the identities of Robinson and Scott in a deadly plot to kidnap a United States rocket scientist. Co-Starring Anna Capri and Lee Phillips. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Sophia" - While vacationing in Rome with co-agent Kelly Robinson, Alexander Scott gets involved and jailed over the impending marriage of his Italian foster-daughter. Co-Starring Caterina Borato and Gordon Mitchell. "Rome Take Away Three" - Investigating a serious security leak in Italy, agents Robinson and Scott encounter a blackmail plot involving a U.S. embassy employee who is threatened with scandal. Co-Starring Ulf Kjellin and Nehemiah Persoff. "Tonia" - Tonia is used as a pawn in a plot by Italian revolutionaries to turn agents Robinson and Scott against each other. Co-Starring Leslie Uggams. "One of Our Bombs is Missing" - An unmanned American plane goes down somewhere in Italy and agents Robinson and Scott are assigned to retrieve its cargo--an atomic bomb. Co-Starring David Mauro and Dewey Martin. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sights and sounds of Italy in the 60s
This DVD for I Spy marks one of the better episodes -- Sophia. Scotty's visiting his adoptive daughter, and finds she has a lout for a boyfriend. There's some humorous moments in Rome. In Rome Take Away Three, Culp showcases his talents in transforming Kelly Robinson from a happy go lucky tennis player to a hard agent. There's little humor and some good drama here. Real spy stuff. In Tonia, Cosby gets to play the spy pawn with a girl who is being used by the Italian Communists. Good drama, and mix of humor for this episode. In One of Our Bombs is Missing, the episode mirrors a real life event that had happened in 1966. The agents are looking for an Atom Bomb that had been swiped by Italian villagers after a USAF bomber crashed in the mountains. There's too much humor for this episode. It seems to be modeled after Italian "over the top" acting, too. The U.S. Air Force really did have a B-52 that went down off the coast of Spain, in 1966, and lost something like four H-bombs that had to be recovered. If you are a fan of the show, this is a good DVD. If not, there are others that showcase the I Spy TV show better. Namely I Spy - So Coldly Sweet or I Spy Sparrowhawk. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Insult to Injury
ON TOP of the 2 previous reviews about cut scenes,awkward edits ad nauseum of this classic movie, this VHS version is also SPED UP!! This is an outrage.Now the rocket scientists a UA feel that we should have a movie that we paid for shortened not only by edits but by speed.Cliff Gorman sounds like Mickey Mouse in some scenes.Even the ending was butchered.Why are these people in charge of production? I know the attention span of most Americans is about 5 minutes,however I want what I paid for!

Such a Shame...
This is one of my all-time favorite films. I waited years and years for it to come out in video, only to find out that the VHS version was the same version that had been unmercifully edited for commercial TV. I agree with the disappointment expressed by a previous reviewer, and can only hope that the complete version (with its exquisite ending) will be included if and when it comes out on DVD. That would be worth five stars to me!

Good Movie, Zilch Video
Two New York City cops have had enough of the 'system' and decide on a high level robbery. This theme is presented in a somewhat light hearted manner along with interesting photography of the work-a-day person life.
With the video (and current tv version) the story line is still there. But apparently the plodding nature of the film prompted cutting and editing by someone who had little sense of the feeling and flow of the movie. Many scenes have been awkwardly shortened, remixed or completely removed. Hopefully an original copy still exists on the premium cable channels.

Gone,Good Bye !
Remember New York before Starbucks,Donald Trump,24 year old millionaire traders and Disney at Times Square? I sure do. This film has excellent location filming and emits a wonderful male midlife crisis in full bloom.Sex and crime go together,so I'm told.If you are over 35 and remember the early 70's,wide ties and funk,get this movie and go back...It's better than here!However this is the SAME bad edited version that has been on cable recenly.Does MGM video watch the movies they release? NO.NO,NO! Movie 4 stars,Video 1 star.

Wonderful light humor in a story with surprising twists.
My wife and I saw this film in a theater 25 years ago without benefit of critical review and having never heard of the actors. We were pleasantly surprised. We found the quality of the acting, staging, and the seemingly happen-stance story line outstanding. The humor was natural rather than contrived. This was the first film I can remember seeing where the ending was not prescribed by the predictable standards of film making prior to that decade. Cops and Robbers is a film which includes light humor with suspense. I regard this movie as one of the best I have ever seen in this peculiar genera. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

And boy, don't forget to finish your homework
"The Rifleman" was No. 1 on television in the late 1950's, when 20 Western Oaters floated over the airwaves. ABC's genius was the casting of Chuck(Touch) Connors, former baseball player, as father Lucas McCain, Johnny Crawford as his son Mark, and veteran movie actor Paul Fix(long-time friend of John Wayne) as Micah, the town sheriff. Connors would go on to star, co-star, or narrate 5 more TV series. This Volume 4 DVD is one of the best, featuring 5 episodes. The first stars Robert Culp as a bounty hunter in a flimsy, slow story, with Culp mugging and hamming all the way. He would write the next episode, then move on to star in TV's "I Spy". Episode 2 stars Hollywood Rat Pack's Sammy Davis, Jr., as a flashy gunfighter with an agenda. His mock death-scene in the arms of Lucas McCain is nearly risible, with both actors on the verge of laughter. Episodes 3 and 4(perhaps the best) star TV veteran Vito Scotti as a Mexican bandit leader, with McCain and company stranded in a desolate ghost town. The 5th episode features Connors in a dual role, portraying McCain and his evil twin, hard-drinking Earl Bantry. Connors literally fights and talks to himself with the aid of an optical printer and trick photography. This marvelous DVD package is an enchanting window on a 1950's America that no longer exists. Then it was a simpler world. Good men were good. Bad men got shot. Everyone loved it. And in the end, there was America's favorite father counseling his son..."Boy, don't forget to finish your homework..."

Prime Chuck...
Chuck Connors stars as Lucas McCain, also known in some parts as "The Rifleman". McCain lives on a small ranch outside of the town of North Fork, New Mexico, with his son Mark (Johnny Crawford). His good friend is Marshal Micah Torrance (Paul Fix). This is the fourth collection of their adventures. Here are summaries and/or comments for the episodes in this set. Episode ratings are on a scale from one to five (best).

Man From Salinas (4): Lucas is acting marshal, when a bank robber drifts into town. McCain wounds the man when he attempts to escape, after robbing the town bank. The news that the man is badly hurt and expected to die, is telegraphed to Salinas, the town the man just came from. There, an unscrupulous fellow (Robert Culp), aware that there is a large reward on the dying man, schemes to come and claim the body. A suspenseful episode, featuring the acting of the charming, smooth-talking Culp.

Two Ounces of Tin (4): Sammy Davis Jr. guest stars as "Corey" a trick shooting gunfighter. Out to avenge the death of his father, he has a huge grudge against the lawmen of North Fork. Corey threatens to kill whoever wears the Marshal's (tin) badge. Unaware of this, Mark does the stranger a good turn, and in return he receives a jaw-dropping exhibition of lightning fast gunhandling and trick shooting. Lucas however is not impressed. As acting marshal, he is Corey's next target. Davis's fine performance as a lonely man with too much pride is both emotional and tragic.

Waste (4): This two-part adventure finds Lucas, Mark and Micah traveling near the Mexican border where they run into a gang of banditos in an abandoned town. Veteran character actor Vito Scotti, who specializes in portraying ethnic characters, is truly loathsome as the leader of the banditos (lovely dental work). They capture Lucas and Mark, and lead them to Micah who is buried up to his neck in the ground. Soon McCain is digging a hole preparing to join him in the dirt. Only Lucas's quick action saves them from the ruthless band of outlaws. McCain has all he can handle trying to save their lives, and is also called on to do an unexpected service, receiving feminine gratitude for his trouble. Mark is a real pain, not following his father's instructions and constantly asking questions. Micah is too injured to be of any help whatsoever. Of interest, is the fact that this tale was written by actor Robert Culp.

The Deadly Image (3): It seems almost every TV program from the 60's used this gimmick sooner or later, as Chuck Conners plays a dual role. "Earl Bantry" is a lookalike for Lucas McCain. When Bantry commits murder, a witness believes that McCain is guilty. The lookalike and his partner reach North Fork, causing a ruckus. Marshal Torrance gets careless, and winds up unconscious on the floor. Then the men head for the McCain ranch for more "fun". "Bantry" is particularly dislikable, and it is probably a safe guess that Conners enjoyed being the "bad guy" for a change.

The Rifleman Volume 4 is the best of the collections in this series so far. The stories are well written, and action packed. The guest stars are excellent, with depth to their characters. Justice is swift and McCain exceeds his average of one kill per episode. As usual, women are almost nonexistent. The transfer to DVD is excellent, the only complaint about this series is that there could easily be more than five episodes per disc. At this rate, it will take 34 DVD's to present all of The Rifleman episodes. Do you have the shelf space? ... Read more