Customer Reviews

Banacek: The Best Of

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With the entire series on 2 affordable sets, this seems to be a ploy on the manufacturer's part to go el cheapo. There were only 16 episodes plus the pilot in the entire series. Picking 4 of the 17 as a "Best of collection" is dumb. You are better off buying the Season sets, or better still, buying the complete set coming out after this disc does.

I loved this DVD. It was a trip down memory lane. The only thing I regret about this is that I didn't spend a little more money and get the DVD with more episodes. I loved it!

Each Banacek episode involves a crime puzzle (not a murder) that private investigator Thomas Banacek must solve, e.g., the disappearance of priceless art works in sealed crates, in a sealed truck between New York and Boston. The writer of each story cheats just a little by not giving the viewer quie all the facts that Banacek has in figuring out the solution, but that is par in most mysteries.

I do have one misgiving about the hero. He is quite the ladies man, understandably, and there is always a beautiful woman involved. So far, so good. But, in the ethos of the time when these TV films were made, Banacek is patronizing, even condescending toward women. A slight smirk on his face indicates that he does not take pretty women or their opinions seriously--and he is always right in doing so--or so the writers would have us believe. I found myself wincing just a bit sometimes.

Still, the tales are interesting, the acting generally good, and the atmosphere right. I do recommend these, with the reservations noted. Perfect, Banacek isn't, but the series is above average TV crime fare.