Customer Reviews

All in the Family 20th Anniversary [VHS]

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Whatever I try to write about this show will not credit everyone involved enough to do the show justice but I will do my best. Everytime I see the repeated episodes on Nick at Nite I can remember watching those same repeated shows with my parents in the 80's when I was just a kid. The nostalgic feeling I get is unlike anything I have experienced watching television. The show strikes a nerve in all of us that can't occur watching any other TV program or movie in my opinion. Archie was brilliantly created by Norman Lear and directed as perfectly by Hal Cooper. Jean Stapleton may be one of the best actresses in entertainment history. Her ability to play a character like Edith had to take all her strength and talents because it was done perfectly. Rob Reiner's and Sally Struthers' characters will never be duplicated by any TV couple now and forever. The show's stories were the most powerful messages any sitcom has achieved and will never be achieved again. The rape episode when Edith overcame the situation could have won an emmy on its own for best actress. Another example of this with regard to Edith is when she stood up to Archie about her working at the senior citizen's center. Archie could have won emmies on single episodes many times over. The two we can never forget and must never ever forget is the Christmas episode with Mike's friend who was a draft dodger sharing the dinner table with not only Archie in Archie's house but Archie's friend who lost his son in the war. The performance put forth by Archie in this episode will never be duplicated by any actor in a sitcom again. The other stand out performance has to be the emotional roller-coaster we are put through when we find out Edith has passed on and see Archie express his sadness like no other actor will do more perfectly again on any tv show for the rest of eternity. Their are countless episodes that will never be recreated again. It is not because they are dated like I've seen some comments reflect it is because no one can perform at such a high level like the entire cast and crew did on this show for years. They made us laugh, cry, think, hope, question, philosophize, regret, love, hate, sympathize, and much much more. Most of all they left a mark on our lives like very few people in their position will ever do again throughout the course of our life while we and the entire population of the world are alive on this planet. In closing all I can say is: "THOSE WERE THE DAYS."

All in the Family is the best show of the 1970's, and possibly the greatest comedy show of all time. This tape highlights the funniest moments of the program, but to truly appreciate the genius of All in the Family, entire episodes must be seen. I personally have on video nearly every episode of this wonderful show. It is amazing that throughout a run of almost an enitre decade, virtually every episode was thought-provoking, shocking, heart-warming, and most of all, side-splittingly funny. The characters of Archie and Edith Bunker are permanently stamped on the landscape of American television. Archie, outrageously bigoted, was deep down a caring and thoughtful man, who occasionally shows his ability to be a man of intense compassion and love, especially for his loving and loyal wife Edith. Archie was capable of acts of incredible stupidity and calousness, but when his family was in trouble, he always came through. It is a program that will never be replicated, and can simply never be topped. It is a portrait of a narrow minded man and his innane, backwards beliefs, but it managed to capture a nation of loyal fans. Watching just a few episodes of All in the Family (some of which are available from Amazon.com on video in their entirety) only serves to emphasize how truly dull and unimaginative American television has become. All in the Family is likely the best situation comedy ever on television, and certainly one of the best programs of any sort ever. This video showcases some of the best moments, but only scratches the surface of this magnificent show.

This video has loads of scenes from many different episodes of All in the Family; with emphasis on everything from Archie's prejudice to Edith's ever-present kindheartedness and innocence to Meathead's liberalism and Gloria's squeaky voice, with Norman Lear, the castmembers, and some fans/naysayers of the show interspersed in between. This trip down Memory Lane is well worth the money! The only thing that is not in the video is any appearance or mention of the little girl named "Stephanie" played by Danielle Brisbois. "Joey" does make a few appearances; when Archie "baptizes" him and when Gloria and Mike decide to "move out West" with Joey in tow and say their tearful goodbyes.

This is a great video. If you loved All in the Family, then you need to see this video. It remembers all of the good, the bad and the ugly that happended on the show.

"All in the Family" has been reviewed, re-reviewed, analyzed and re-analyzed till little anything original is left. Who cares? This series was a true revolutionary for its time and had the gonads enough to tackle real-life social issues and problems in real-life fashion, something that comedies then didn't do. This video, a compilation of highlights from the series, comes no where near capturing ALL the highlights of the program: you'd have to get cassettes of literally every episode to savor all those other highlights for which not enough time exists in this compilation. We do get the treat of some classics, like the historic kiss Sammy Davis Jr. plants on Archie while a camera captures it, "Meathhead" Michael's frustrating rantings to Archie about "Tricky Dick" and a then-bold episode where "Dingbat" Edith finds a lump in her breast. But some of the other highlights you won't see here are those showing Edith's evolution from passive to formidable wife, and her standing up with a strength the comes from unflappable conviction of her beliefs. We miss the powerfully devastating show where Edith escapes a sexual assault by decking her victimizer with her own birthday cake, nor do we see (or are we likely to as long as Norman Lear has his way) Archie's heartbreaking acceptance of his wife's death. Still, this compilation is a dandy and gives us just enough of an appetite to ask for more. In that respect, the late Carroll O'Connor, who pumped an amazing life into the character of Archie Bunker, and a cast of stellar other performers, has left us with an indelible and priceless legacy.

How could this not be a great video? It depicts the greatest moments of the greatest comedy of all times. The range of emotions it elicits is incredible. All in the Family was the most innovative and contriversial television program in history, and the reasons for this are shown clearly in this video. Even today, in this supposedly enlightened age, the language and subject matter walk the tightrope of social acceptability. And, best of all, this all took place in Queens- the home of the Amazin' Mets!

It has been almost 40 years since "All In the Family" made its' network television debut, so much of the controversy it generated has passed deep into the archives of history. It is nearly impossible for the young person to realize how revolutionary it was at the time. Until the show appeared, network television shows about families were bland and noncontroversial fare along the lines of "Leave It to Beaver" and "My Three Sons." Suddenly, topics such as rape, atheism, homosexuality, bigotry, racial and ethnic prejudice, and conflict over the war in Vietnam were passionately being discussed in the Bunker household. By openly airing these previously taboo topics, the nation was forced to examine them and in its' own way, the show helped the nation cope with and overcome some of them.
This tape, hosted by the show's producer Normal Lear, shows highlights from the show as well as comments from a wide range of viewers, conservative Christians to older couples where the partners have different views. While their reactions range from the extremely positive to extremely negative, this is an accurate portrayal of the national reaction to the show. Even the people offended by the show admit to the extent it affected them. To say that "All In the Family" was revolutionary television is an understatement, it completely changed the concept of network television from one where blandness was in and controversy was avoided to a position where difficult topics could be openly discussed. It is impossible to overstate the social change driven by this show and some of the most significant is demonstrated on this tape.

In a television world sadly beset with mediocre programs aplenty, violence, endless, insipid talk shows and total insipidness, "All In The Family" dared to tackle sensitive issues with outstanding results. In a time when "its just talked about in polite company," it dared to be nonPC (Politically Correct). Not only did it stimulate endless debates and converations, but provided vehicles for spinoffs. Today in an climate of "eggshell"non-controversial world of television/movies, other media, in an effort not to offend, PC has watered down controversy to pablum. Save the insipid, sensationalized, endless parade of talk shows and expose shows, nothing is ventured. What a shame that this program cannot be resurected and hold again a mirror to American society.

This Show Made Me Laugh. The Director Of This Show Went All Over America To Get Other People's Opinons About The Show. My Opinon Is That I Know Archie Loves His Wife Edith, Daughter Gloria, And The Son-In-Low Mike. Archie Made A Few Mistakes By Kissing The Waitress From The Resturant That He And His Buddies Went To. Sammy Davis Pays A Visit To The Bunker House To Look For His Briefcase. Edith's Cousin Maude Visits Too. It Was Sad At The End When Mike, Gloria, And Joey Had To Move Out West Because Mike Got Another Job. If You Are Looking For The Laughs, This Tape Is For You.

T.V. Shows Like These Are Long Gone.The Honesty of them is Missing badly these days.What happen too True Feelings&Vibes? Too Much Politically COrrectness on TOday.This Show was Edgy&Ahead of it's TIme.Norman Lear wanted Too Create a Show Reflecting How America Really Thought&Felt&He Was Right On Time.THis Show Says the Things that People are Afraid Too Say Out Loud TOday.T.V. was More Risky then.