Rating: 
Summary: A Legitimate TV Classic Finally Comes to DVD
Review: The TV series Kung Fu, starring David Carradine, Keye Luke and Philip Ahn, became an American popular cultural phenomenon in the 70s and richly deserves a full DVD release. It remains as unique today as it did three decades ago, and potentially as powerful.In the 70s, America was still embroiled in the Vietnam War when Carradine, who played Kwai Chang Caine, walked barefoot into the homes of viewers portraying a Chinese priest of the Shaolin Order who was also a Kung Fu martial arts expert. Through Caine, complex themes of religion, spirituality, philosophy, violence, peace, racism, morality, greed, human dignity and cruelty were examined each week in the guise of an off-beat Western set in the 1800s. Caine, who was part American, was forced to flee his homeland after his mentor, Master Po, portrayed brilliantly by Luke, was murdered by a royal guardman, who in turn was killed by Caine. The royal family issued an edict to capture Caine --- dead or alive. Caine came to America in search of his half-brother, walking from town to town following leads as to his sibling's whereabouts. While the story seems simple enough, it afforded the show's writers ample opportunities to explore the aforementioned themes by depicting Caine's interaction with those who lived in America's Old West, illustrating through the use of extensive flash-backs, the teachings of his Shaolin masters and his Chinese martial arts training. It also provided plenty of excitement and action through Carradine's use of Kung Fu in America, which he frequently employed to protect the less fortunate or otherwise vulnerable victim. Caine's cultural views and religious training that stressed peaceful coexistance with his fellow man, equality and non-materialism, put him at odds with most of those he encountered. Every episode presented moral choices for Caine to make between maintaining his lifestyle and philosophy, or conforming to the norms of American society. In presenting those choices, viewers also examined their own values as well as those of modern society at a time when it was imperitive to do so. Famed martial artist and actor Bruce Lee developed the show's concept with producers and had expected to be cast as Caine. But, when cameras finally rolled on the production, it was Carradine who became Caine, and who would be forever linked to the role. This DVD set was remastered to present the first season, including the show's pilot, in a widescreen format. I'm anxious to see what the show will look like thus depicted. However, this is one TV show that looked great in a full-screen format, so there was really no way to lose on its DVD release. I trust that the remaining seasons will also be released in very short order.
Rating: 
Summary: Not the Complete First Season
Review: Although I have not watched all 15 episodes yet, I was disappointed to find a total of one to two minutes of short scenes cut. While what was cut was not crucial, I had hoped that the episodes would be complete. It appears that the master tape used to make the DVD was not taken from the original series, but from a shortened version that was edited to make room for additional commercials when the show was shown in recent years. The total run time for each episode is 50 minutes. It is also not a complete series because the top and bottom of the screen have been cut to make it fit a widescreen format. I purchased the DVD because, although I had recorded the series on VHS, I did not have all the episodes. Therefore, I am happier with the DVD than without it; but I can only give it three stars since the this is not the "complete first season." It has been cropped and shortened.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but could be better
Review: The quality of the set is good compared to my vhs tapes copied from tv, but I wish they had removed the scratches and other imperfections that are evident. It would have preferred dual-layer dvd's rather than flippers, also. I often wondered why the producers didn't use Bruce Lee for the main role. If, however, Caine is supposed to be half Chinese, it is clear why Bruce Lee wasn't used for the part. It is often difficult to discern a half asian individual from any dark-haired, dark-eyed caucasian (I know, I live with some)(They should have darkened Carradine's hair and eyes -- or at least his eyes when he was bald). It's pretty humorous when all the old west cowboys immediately notice that Caine "has some yellow blood". After listening to the creators talk about why Lee wasn't used ("I just couldn't understand the guy"), I have to agree. Just listen to his line "I wee wo mon" (I will old man) in Enter the Dragon and imagine listening to this week after week. Don't get me wrong, I love Bruce Lee's movies, but I love them for the action, not the clearly delivered dialogue and philosophy. His son, Brandon, would have been perfect for the role, however. Anyway, If you liked the original series and are not a rabid videophile, you will probably like the dvd set also. It would have been better if they provided the original full screen AND the wide screen version. Maybe they'll come out with the "Ultimate Edition" in a year or so. Even my kids like the old series, and why not? They were raised on the Care Bears; not that much different than Kung Fu, in philosophy anyway!
Rating:
Summary: Not the Complete First Season
Review: Although I have not watched all 15 episodes yet, I was disappointed to discover that a total of one to two minutes in each episode were cut. While the short scenes that were cut were not crucial, they do create noticeable gaps in the smooth telling of the story. It appears that the master tape used to make the DVD was not taken from the original series, but from a shortened version that was edited to make room for additional commercials when the show was shown in recent years. The total run time for each episode is 50 minutes. It is also not "complete" because the top and bottom of the screen have been cut to make it fit a widescreen format. I purchased the DVD because, although I had recorded the series on VHS, I did not have all the episodes. Therefore, I am happier with the DVD than without it; but I can only give it three stars since this is not the "complete first season." It has been cropped and shortened.
Rating:
Summary: I'll keep it and look forward to the rest.
Review: Should you buy the set?........ if you're really a fan of the series, or even if you're new to the series..... I say yes. I was 16 when the series first aired. And, in a few small ways, it helped change my view of life. It has and always will be one of my favorite TV series. But why would I give a 4 star rating if I'm that much of a fan?........ for the same complaint many others have voiced........ the letterboxing.
It's the only thing that disappoints me.
Because of the letterboxing I feel slightly cheated. I'm a big fan of letterboxing for movies......... but that's for movies, not a television series. This was a series filmed for television in the early 70's, so letterboxing is not only inappropriate, it's out right stupid. With all the planning that went into releasing the series on DVD, whoever made the decision to letterbox it was either indifferent to retaining the original viewing, or was so ignorant as to think it would be an improvement........ it isn't.
If it had been filmed in the 1.85 ratio, then this would be a proper release, but since it wasn't, letterboxing crops off the upper and lower parts of the viewable area. There are too many scenes where the tops of heads and character's chins are slightly chopped off. But that's the only flaw with this set I have a problem with, so it's my only complaint. I watched the entire set on my day off....... episode after episode.
Only a fan of this series could do that. I enjoyed every minute.... from the pilot episode to episode 15 "The Ancient Warrior" (with Chief Dan George). And with no commecials and none of the stinkin' station logos constantly in the lower right corner of the screen, it was even more enjoyable getting to watch these episodes again on DVD. And even if someone is new to the series (y'know...... some of you young'ns out there) the stories pull you in. It's more than a Kung Fu series, more than a western series, more than just simply a television series........ the stories actually can teach a bit of philosophy, and do it quite well. Considering how todays' shows seem to have drifted away from having the viewer do any actual thinking, it was great to get to watch this series again. So now I'm ready for season 2 and season 3.
Then I'll be ready for the 1986 TV movie Kung Fu:The Movie, this co-starred Brandon Lee playing Caine's son.
And I'll even consider the latter series Kung Fu : the legend continues. I just hope the dimwits producing these DVDs don't letterbox the rest.
But I have the feeling they probably will.
Maybe if enough people complain about it, they'll re-issue the first season in Full Frame............ if they do that, then I'll definately get it again because I like the series enough.
Rating: 
Summary: A destroyed artwork !
Review: .
"Kung Fu" is the best TV series known to me because it really shows what real Kung Fu is: philosophy of life, how to lead a life in wisdom and of course martial art when there is no other way ;-) The story is absolutely great! A shaolin monk(David Carradine) walking through the wild west in the 19th century and encountering all the follies of wordly life and taking care of the situation the best he can. The scenes are very carefully filmed: an artwork of the director and the cameraman. The worse it is that you can not enjoy it if you buy this DVD because the editors of this DVD have cut off the heads of actors, the deep blue sky in many scenes that give the beatiful atmosphere and so on only to get a widescreen format of films that formerly had been in TV format. They should have preserved all the information of the original format! Now the artwork is destroyed :-( The stories, the director, the cameraman, the artists get 5 STARS. This DVD edition gets 0 STARS that is an average of 2.5 STARS wich I reduce to 2 because of my disappointment... I really hope they bring out another version without any loss ... means with all the information of the original films and where this marvellous artwork is preserved for all times :-)
Rating:
Summary: An unexpected jewel!
Review: I have seen only the first episode on Side B, but I am amazed at how meticulously this 1970s' Western series has been enhanced for widescreen high-definition televisions. The print is crisp and clear enough for cinema lighting, and there is abundant evidence that the cropping was truly a labor of love. It is a real treat when food for the mind is such a sumptuous visual celebration.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent & Brillant. Snatch the pebble from my hand.
Review: "Work. Wander. Rest when I can." Shaolin priest Kwai Chang Caine starts his journey after he murders the Chinese Emperor's cousin. I watched the re-run when I was a very small kid. I only recalled some cool fighting scenses, the flashbacks of Caine's Shaolin beginnings with Master Kan & Master Po, and Caine always beats up the bad guys and continues his journey. I didn't appreciate much. I purchased and watched this DVD set 20 years later. Wow, I couldn't believe that every single episode is telling brillant and intelligent philosopy. You wouldn't be surprised to find lots of good and rich dialogs from each episode as well. I really think this is a great TV series. As Master Kan tells the young Caine, "Snatch the pebble from my hand. If you can, you're ready to go." I think after twenty years later, I can snatch the pebble and I'm ready to fully appreciate this Kung Fu series now. I look forward the second complete season coming out. Picture quality in this DVD set is amazingly crystal clear. Sound is excellent and it also provides different subtitles. This complete first season DVD set contains 15 episodes in 3 double-sided disc as below: [Disc 1: Side A]
- Pilot Movie (original airdate: 2/22/72)
- Documentary: The Tao of Caine (Production and Beyond) [Disc 1: Side B]
- King Of The Mountain (original airdate: 10/14/72)
- Dark Angel (original airdate: 11/11/72)
- Blood Brother (original airdate: 1/18/73)
- Documentary: From Grasshopper to Caine (Creaing Kung Fu) [Disc 2: Side A]
- An Eye For An Eye (original airdate: 1/25/73)
- The Tide (original airdate: 2/1/73)
- The Soul Is The Warrior (original airdate: 2/8/73) [Disc 2: Side B]
- Nine Lives (original airdate: 2/15/73)
- Sun And Cloud Shadow (original airdate: 2/22/73)
- Chains (original airdate: 3/15/73) [Disc 3: Side A]
- Alethea (original airdate: 3/22/73)
- The Praying Mantis Kills (original airdate: 3/29/73)
- Superstition (original airdate: 4/5/73) [Disc 3: Side B]
- The Stone (original airdate: 4/12/73)
- The Third Man (original airdate: 4/26/73)
- The Ancient Warrior (original airdate: 5/3/73) Overall, highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: An old favorite on mine, and now I remember why. This is a very special and unique series. It was so far ahead of its time that after 30 years there is still nothing on TV or cable to match it. Each episode is not only fun and involving, but also has meaning. The acting (including the guest appearances by people like a young Jodie Foster) is top notch. The special features (including in-depth talks with a now older David Carradine) are very high quality, and add to the understanding/enjoyment of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Hebinaga no rebuu wa desu.
Review: I did not mind the shortage of each episode to save time or to fit on disc. They have did an excellent job on keeping of what Caine was teaching through his actions and what he said. For the reviewer who said it was boring. You are missing the point. The series have a plot and a lesson to teach in each episode to the series characters and as well to the audience. If it had kung fu action all the time in the series it would not last as long that as it did. My own words of wisdom: Ignorance and a closed mind leads to ones downfall, also makes one a fool. Another words not being part of the universe and stuck in the material world. Contemplate on it; everyone will agree with me on this one. They did not have many Asian actors in those days either due to racism (ignorance).
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