or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
More Buying Choices
40 used & new from $30.00

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

or

Get a $11.50 Amazon.com Gift Card
 
   
Family - The Complete First and Second Seasons
 
See larger image
 

Family - The Complete First and Second Seasons (1976)

Starring: James Broderick, Sada Thompson Director: Gerold S. O'Loughlin, Marshall Herskovitz Rating: NR (Not Rated) Format: DVD
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (112 customer reviews)

List Price: $49.95
Price: $36.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $12.96 (26%)
  Special Offers Available
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Want it delivered Monday, November 23? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
30 new from $33.90 9 used from $30.00 1 collectible from $49.95
ony BDP S360 Blu-ray Player
Buy a Blu-ray Player and Save $10 on Select Blu-ray Hits
For a limited time, buy a Sony BDP S360 Blu-ray Player and get $10 off as many as 20 select Blu-ray movies and TV shows. Hurry, offer ends November 21. Learn more.

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this DVD with thirtysomething: The Complete First Season DVD ~ Timothy Busfield

Family - The Complete First and Second Seasons + thirtysomething: The Complete First Season
  • This item: Family - The Complete First and Second Seasons DVD ~ James Broderick

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details

  • thirtysomething: The Complete First Season DVD ~ Timothy Busfield

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details


Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Buy any DVD shipped and sold by Amazon.com and you can get a 12-issue subscription to either Rolling Stone, Men's Journal or Us Weekly for only $1. Here's how (restrictions apply)
  • Save up to 57% on popular television series like Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Charlie's Angels, and more.

  • Save up to 58% on recent TV hits including Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, and more. Shop now.

  • Buy One, Get One Free TV on DVD. See the sale now.

  • Seinfeld for $14.99. For a limited time stock up on Seinfeld for less. Hurry, offer only good while supplies last. See details

  • Save up to 50% on dozens of TV and documentary DVDs in our Triple TV and History Sale.

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Family - The Complete First and Second Seasons
72% buy the item featured on this page:
Family - The Complete First and Second Seasons 4.9 out of 5 stars (112)
$36.99
thirtysomething: The Complete First Season
20% buy
thirtysomething: The Complete First Season 4.7 out of 5 stars (90)
$39.99
Life Goes On - The Complete First Season
5% buy
Life Goes On - The Complete First Season 4.9 out of 5 stars (45)
$29.99
Ally McBeal: The Complete Series
2% buy
Ally McBeal: The Complete Series 4.6 out of 5 stars (44)
$103.99

Product Details

  • Actors: James Broderick, Sada Thompson, Meredith Baxter, Kristy McNichol
  • Directors: Gerold S. O'Loughlin, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick, Randal Kleiser, Ralph Senensky
  • Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
  • Language: English
  • Region: Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
    PLEASE NOTE:
    Some Region 1 DVDs may contain Regional Coding Enhancement (RCE). Some, but not all, of our international customers have had problems playing these enhanced discs on what are called "region-free" DVD players. For more information on RCE, click here.
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 6
  • Rating: NR (Not Rated)
  • Studio: Sony Pictures
  • DVD Release Date: September 5, 2006
  • Run Time: 1382 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (112 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000GFRI68
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,638 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

    Popular in this category: (What's this?)

    #2 in  Movies & TV > Television > Funny Families > Family
  • For more information about "Family - The Complete First and Second Seasons" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Special Features

  • 28 episodes on six discs

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In the mid-'70s, Family was sort of the anti-All in the Family--dealing with the issues of the day, but far more sincerely and earnestly than Archie Bunker & tribe. In fact, the landmark series, which debuted in 1976 on ABC, quickly gained a following for its willingness to integrate controversy with a fairly typical upper-middle-class family. The Lawrences--headed by Sada Thompson as Kate and James Broderick (father of Matthew Broderick) as Doug--were close-knit but willing to face issues like infidelity, gay friends, alcoholism, divorce, and more--making it ground-breaking for primetime TV. The kids (divorcee Nancy, played in season 1 by Elayne Heilveil and replaced in season 2 by Meredith Baxter Birney; Willie, played by Gary Frank; and the heartbreakingly adorable Buddy, played by Kristy McNichol) knew they had mom and dad's support, even when the going got tough, and were there for each other when crises arose. And happily, the show's producers, which included Mike Nichols and Aaron Spelling, realized all this earnestness needed leavening with some humor. When Buddy is needling Willie for dance lessons so she can go to the Junior Jump with the babelicious Carl ("Hey, the Strawberry Shakes are playing!"), Willie balks. Then Buddy looks him square in the eye and says, "I need a personal triumph, Willie." She shoots, she scores. The show, which won Emmys for both Thompson and McNichol, boasts stellar writing and believable situations, and is still compulsive watchable years later. The boxed set includes all 28 episodes of the first two seasons. --A.T. Hurley


Product Description

FAMILY is the hit dramatic series that explores the lives loves and hardships of a contemporary 1970s American family told with heart and humor. Originally given a six-episode run the show became a surprise hit in the fall of 1976 and won two Emmy® Awards for the second season. This groundbreaking series is a Mike Nichols production (Academy Award® winner 1967 Best Director The Graduate) created by Jay Presson Allen (Cabaret) and executive produced by the powerhouse producing team of Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg (TV's "Charlie's Angels" and "Starsky & Hutch").FAMILY follows the saga of the Lawrence family of Pasadena California - parents Kate (Sada Thompson) and Doug (James Broderick) and their three children: young divorced mother Nancy (played by Elayne Heilveil in the first season and by Meredith Baxter Birney in the second season) high school dropout Willie (Gary Frank) and young teenage daughter Buddy (Kristy McNichol). Notable guest stars include Willie Aames Helen Hunt James Woods and Tommy Lee Jones.System Requirements:Running Time 1288 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 043396156227 Manufacturer No: 15622

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Life Goes On - The Complete First Season

Life Goes On - The Complete First Season

DVD ~ Bill Smitrovich
4.9 out of 5 stars (45)  $29.99
thirtysomething: The Complete First Season

thirtysomething: The Complete First Season

DVD ~ Timothy Busfield
4.7 out of 5 stars (90)  $39.99
One Day at a Time - The Complete First Season

One Day at a Time - The Complete First Season

DVD ~ Mackenzie Phillips
4.4 out of 5 stars (37)  $19.99
The Rookies - The Complete First Season

The Rookies - The Complete First Season

DVD ~ Sam Melville
4.7 out of 5 stars (23)  $15.99
Cagney & Lacey - Season 1(The Complete First Season)

Cagney & Lacey - Season 1(The Complete First Season)

DVD ~ Tyne Daly
4.7 out of 5 stars (68)  $28.99
Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(18)
(12)
(10)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

112 Reviews
5 star:
 (106)
4 star:
 (5)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (112 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
85 of 87 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected but wonderful!, September 12, 2006
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
Who would have thought that this quality show would ever be released on DVD? Thankfully someone realized that there's still an audience craving intelligent, heartfelt, humanistic drama!

What strikes me upon watching these episodes again after so many years is the superb writing & acting. These are smart, articulate people, living in a more civilized culture than exists in America today. They're also flawed in very human ways, capable of deeply wounding & being wounded, but always ready to take the path of reconciliation & understanding. It's a family that expects more from itself than the lowest common denominator ... and the show is wise enough to acknowledge that such a laudable & worthwhile goal may sometimes have its drawbacks.

Kate was warm but a touch aristocratic, obviously the driving force in the family dynamic. She could be infuriating at times, heartbreaking at others, both in her relationship with Doug & with her children. Nancy could be spoiled, Doug stubborn, Willie a little too carefree in his approach to life, Buddy simply struggling to grow up -- but all were basically admirable, striving to grow & embrace life, rather than hide from it. They took chances, for all the comforts of their cozy home; they were hurt at times, made foolish choices, found unexpected rewards. Not an idealized family, but a very desirable one!

This was very much a writer's show -- the dialogue is sharp, witty, poignant, laced with warmth & humor when needed, often summing up a complex situation with a pithy phrase. Some younger viewers might complain that people don't really talk like that. Perhaps they don't, at least not these days. But again, the writing aspired to more than the barely sufficient. It makes you appreciate language & how it can be used.

But the writing is only half of it -- without fine acting, the best writing in the world falls flat. Luckily the show was blessed with subtle, quietly powerful actors, who could express a wealth of emotion in the inflection of a single word, or a brief glance. Despite the time-specific backdrop & references, this is truly a timeless family, experiencing & responding to all the trials & joys that life brings.

So here's hoping the subsequent seasons are released as well! We need more quality viewing, just to remind people that there's more to life than "reality" shows, spoiled celebrities, and the crass & the vapid (which ought to be the title of half the shows currently on TV). Most highly recommended!
Comment Comments (4) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
80 of 85 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars About time this quality show was released on DVD, July 31, 2006
With so much crap out there, getting a quick DVD release, it's amazing a quality series such as Family hasn't been out sooner. I watched this duriing its first run & it was one of the few shows that I was allowed to see at such a late hour (10 PM). It shifted throughout its run to earlier formats, but due to some of its controversial themes, the series was initially put in a later time slot than the typical family viewing hour.

There's so much to love about Family. Sada Thompson was always elegant & graceful as Kate, the matriarch. James Broderick was so down-to-earth & good natured, he was warming as the Lawrence patriarch. Kristy McNichol was lovable as Buddy & made you wish you had a friend like her in real-life. Gary Frank as Willie was carefree & made you wish you had Willie as a brother or even as a boyfriend. He had all of the fine qualities a grounded woman seeks in a man. Was really cute as well.

I implore anyone who has never seen this show to buy this set, as well as longtime fans, such as myself who watched it as a child.

Family was critically acclaimed as a result of its frank depiction of love & relationships. It also garnered an emmy for Kristy & Sada, due to their poignant performances.

I'll buy every season as its released & have many Family marathons to relive the good ol' days of this fine & stellar tv series. Can't wait to get my copy.
Comment Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars We need this on DVD!!!, May 17, 2006
I would give this show 10 stars, if I could. It truly was one of the best dramas ever to air on TV. I have wonderful memories of the show and would be thrilled if it were to be released on DVD. The plots were very realistic, the scripts were intelligent and moving, and the acting was subtle but powerful.

Since it was quite a forward-looking show, I think many people today would find the plots and the issues they dealt with to feel very contemporary in our modern world. I can't believe this hasn't been released on DVD yet.

If you were a fan of this great show, voice your opinion and let Amazon and the studio know that you want this show on DVD!!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars What's the holdup on Seasons 3, 4 and 5 ???
I've been on Amazon's "Sign Me Up When 'Family - Season 3' is Released" alert for three years now. Come on Sony, please do the right thing and release the final three seasons of... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Logan Londres

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best shows ever
I remember watching Family back in the 70s and early 80s and loving it so I bought The Complete First and Second Seasons and am very glad I did! Read more
Published 16 days ago by countrybookgal

5.0 out of 5 stars Even in Germany fans are waiting for season 3, 4 and 5
Dear people from Sony Home Entertainment: please release the next seasons of our FAMILY, too. Even fans in Germany are longing for more of this extraordinary series from the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Hardy Koch

5.0 out of 5 stars Where is the third season?
I purchased this when it came out in 2006. Here it is 2009 and we are still waiting for the subsequent seasons. What is the hold up? Please bring them out!
Published 4 months ago by Angel

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent family-centered show with intelligent writing and great casting!
I was just a kid when "Family" was shown on TV but I have fond memories of sitting with my family after dinner and watching this show. Read more
Published 6 months ago by z hayes

5.0 out of 5 stars WHERE, OH, WHERE?
The Scribbler...

Where, oh, where is the rest of Family? This marvelous production needs to be continued. Read more
Published 6 months ago by J. Bednarek

5.0 out of 5 stars my childhood all over again
I love this dvd so much that I wish I was 12 again. I really miss family shows that I could watch with my kids the way I did growing up. Read more
Published 7 months ago by patricia grewal

5.0 out of 5 stars It doesn't get any better than this
This was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid. When I found the DVD I was ecstatic. This show was so ahead of it's time that it is still relevant today. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Eileen Tepper

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilled; would love the rest of the series
I was so surprised and happy to find this series on DVD; I never believed that I would see it again! Read more
Published 7 months ago by Retired teacher

5.0 out of 5 stars FAMIL Seasons 1 and 2
This is by far my favourite television drama series. When are we going to have the opportunity to buy subsequent seasons? Mary
Published 8 months ago by Red Owl

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
NOTE FROM SADA THOMPSON 6 4 days ago
Sign PETITION for more releases! 16 27 days ago
This is really seasons 1 and 2, not 3 and 4 4 October 2006
Rest of the series? 1 October 2006
See all 4 discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
   
Explore more




IMDb Says...

Learn more about Family - The Complete First and Second Seasons opens new browser window on IMDb.com opens new browser window the Internet Movie Database.
IMDb Logo

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Movies & TV by subject:







i.e., each DVD must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.