Rating: Summary: Couldn't be better Review: I've been a M*A*S*H fan for years, and I couldn't be happier with this set. To me it has everything that I would want. Excellent quality, the complete first season in broadcast order with the restored scenes that were removed when it went into syndication, and the fine writing and acting that were the hallmark of the series. And most importantly, it gives the viewer the ability to turn the laugh track off so that we can watch the episodes how the producers originally intended, before the CBS executives insisted that the laugh track be added. The only thing I would hope that they would change in future compilations would be the ability to play all the episodes on a disk with one press of the button instead of having to go in and restart the next episode when the one you are watching ends. Otherwise, this is a perfect package. Who needs extras?
Rating: Summary: A great series, but no extras? Review: I'm not going to go into too many details about the series. If you're reading this, you probably already know who the characters are, what the show is about, etc.The first season (24 episodes) is packaged on three DVDs with eight episodes per disc. The episodes are presented in airdate order. The video quality is quite good for film material from the 70s -- far better than the All in the Family DVDs. The audio is good as well. As others have pointed out, this DVD set comes with no extras. The only modification that I make when watching this series is to turn off the laugh track. M*A*S*H was such a thought-provoking series that sometimes the canned laughter was a distraction; yet funny enough that I didn't need to be told when to laugh. For the material itself, I give it five stars (I'd even go higher). For the audio/video quality, four stars and for the lack of extras only one star. Overall, four stars. For this price, the lack of extras is acceptable.
Rating: Summary: An Amazing Start. an Amazing Show Review: There are very few shows that go down in history as "classic." M*A*S*H* is certainly a contender for that title. I was born only a few years before the show went off the air. So, I don't remember ever having seen any of these shows on their initial run. I have seen them all as out-of-order reruns. I still see new ones once in a while. I appreciate the fact that the seasons are being released on DVD. The restorations are beautiful. The older these shows get, the worse they get on TV, so seeing them in digital is amazing. The first season is great. It is nice to see the episodes with the original TV cast. "Trapper," "Frank Burns," and "Henry Blake" who all left early in the life of the series are wonderful. (I can't remember if they left after the second or third season). This cast is something so very special; their interaction is wonderful and funny. In the face of the most terrible concept on earth, war, these people make the very best of their time together at the 4077th M*A*S*H* unit. The first season episodes are hilarious. The pilot episode is on there. It is amazing to see how young everyone looks. There is something very unique about M*A*S*H.* In a time when shows like "All In the Family" were on the air, displaying blatantly, their lack of political correctness and intolerance of certain social groups, M*A*S*H* was a model of tolerance and concern for fellow man. Not to say that it did not harbor its own political incorrectness. Women were regularly targeted by "Hawkeye" and "Trapper." But, that was all in fun. Most of the time, the young ladies rejected the advances of the pair anyway. Above all else, the show is "good" to watch. I do not really know of a show has more to say than M*A*S*H.* There is always a moral to the story. This show really makes one wonder if we really know how much we lose when we go to war, and for what? Now, I know that this sounds something of a drag to watch, but through all the drama, the comedy shines through brightly. epc
Rating: Summary: M*A*S*H-Standing the test of time. Review: Finally the greatest T.V show of all time on now available to enjoy on DVD. This 1st season 3 disc compilation is a must have for any M*A*S*H fan...you will not be disaponted! The only critical thing I have to say about this is there are no special features to the likes of behind the scenes fun or any outtakes...Sit back,relax and relive all those wonderful episodes with the madcap antics of Hawkeye & Trapper John.
Rating: Summary: M*A*S*H-Standing the test of time. Review: Thinking of something worthwhile to spend your money on these days...think no more. The first season of M*A*S*H is a winner for everyone. One of the longest running shows in history is now even more enjoyable to watch on DVD with sharper quality,multiple languages and subtitles. If you are a M*A*S*H fan then I won't have to list all the episodes you'll see of this series spanning over 3 discs, but I will tell you it is a must buy for anyone who has been a fan of the show. The only let down is a lack of bonus features,there are no behind the scenes or outtakes,no features at all to be exact. I also recccomend the second series,also the third series will be released in December 2002. I can't wait for that one.
Rating: Summary: Good M*A*S*H // Bad DVD Review: At long last - M*A*S*H on DVD. Many of us have never seen M*A*S*H episodes unedited, or it has been nearly 20 years since we have. That is the allure of this (and future) sets of M*A*S*H on DVD. The big draw of DVD's, in addition to the Sound and Picture Quality, are the "Extras". Other than the ability to take out the laugh tracks (Yes!), this has none. There are no cast interviews, no bloopers, no Director's/Producers/Writers Commentary, not even Cast Biographies. Even the insert is rather plan and has nothing extra to it. The episode description look as though they were written by some one who hadn't even watched the show. I was hoping for more when the DVD's came out. Like the book "Complete Book of M*A*S*H" was not complete in it's fullest sense by leaving out that which would have made it truly complete (the secondary story lines, etc.), this is not complete in the DVD's fullest sense...the extras we've all come to expect in them. In that respect I am disappointed. But I am not disappointed in having a whole season on only 3 DVD's! I am not disappointed in the quality of the sound and picture (much better than the Video's from Columbia House and the Broadcast versions). For the episodes themselves, M*A*S*H has never been better, more convenient, and funnier (thanks to long edited scenes rarely seen in syndicated TV)! If you've only seen M*A*S*H in syndication, by this set and hold on to your sides. They may just split from laughing!
Rating: Summary: I'm so glad I bought this. Review: After years of wishing to see more MASH on TV, I was very excited to find this set released. The humor helps me recover from the stresses of my life and the setting keeps those stresses in perspective. Very affordable therapy! I bought the VHS as a father's day gift and the DVD for me.
Rating: Summary: M*A*S*H Season One Review: No doubt that MASH was one of the best shows ever on TV. I can't even begin to tell you how much we have enjoyed watching the first season...the pilot episode was incredible: not only was it interesting and funny, but it illustrated just exactly where the intro comes from to all the following episodes, when the helicopters are arriving. What an amazing episode! Not to mention, the season finale was one of the most touching shows I have seen period.
Rating: Summary: My Personal Favorite TV Show of All Time Review: The airwaves of television have been graced with innumerable shows over the years. Some have been wonderful, others duds. And most are just a matter of personal taste. Well, for my money, there was never a better show on TV than M*A*S*H. At its height, the show was irreverant, cynical, a little mean-spirited, and always funny. The first M*A*S*H DVD is, fittingly, a collection of the first season's episodes. I have long watched the reruns of M*A*S*H on cable, and while these early episodes lacked the polish of latter days shows, they had a bite which seemed to fade away as the series progressed. The first season, I feel, comes the closest to capturing the spirit of the movie. The cast here is all great. Granted, I think all the emebers of the M*A*S*H cast are excellent, but this group still should be commended. They were the right guys for the job, and all played their parts exceptionally well. The greatest thing about this DVD collection is that all the shows are uncut. Every episode has about five minutes of footage that is not on the TV reruns and probably hasn't been broadcast since they show originally aired. It's truly enlightening to discover how many great moments are not seen on televised reruns, particularly some of the great politically incorrect jokes. To see the uncut version of the pilot episode is a real treat. The picture quality is also astounding. It's amazing how great this show can look on DVD. It spoiled me so much, I almost couldn't start watching the shows on TV again, even the ones not on this DVD. Overall, it is virtually impossible to find a better DVD value than this collection. 24 episodes, outstanding picture quality, and the uncut versions make this the best DVD I own (along with the second section collection, of course).
Rating: Summary: Great stuff!! Review: Just outstanding DVD's from a great show. Highly recommended.
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