Customer Reviews

The Fugitive - Season One, Vol. Two

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

At long last, the groundbreaking television series, "The Fugitive" comes to DVD. This show, which lasted from 1963-1967, was suspenseful, moving, engaging, and original. This was the first successful television show that took the dramatic formula of putting the hero with new characters and in new situations every week to another level. In previous shows such as Cheyenne, Maverick, and many others, the hero was a wanderer going from town to town to earn a living. In this show, the hero had no choice. He had to run to stay out of jail.

Charged with murdering his wife, a crime he did not commit, Dr. Richard Kimble, played by David Janssen, escapes from the law when the train taking him to his execution wrecks. Tracked doggedly by police inspector Gerard, Kimble wanders across the country running from the law while trying to track down the one-armed man he saw leaving his house the night his wife was murdered. As he wanders the country, he helps many people with their problems, all the while trying to find the one armed man and trying to avoid Gerard.

This classic show had all the goods - great acting by Janssen, Morse, and the many guest stars, fantastic narration by William Conrad, clever, well-written scripts, and taut direction. This show had it all, and made Dr. Richard Kimble one of the most famous and sympathetic characters television history. We can be glad that it has finally made it to DVD.

The review by Desilu Trek "Live Long & Prosper" is right on! TV viewers today simply do not realize the dramatic depth of this classic TV show! I cannot recommend it highly enough to TV fans who love great drama! David Janssen was simply perfect for the role of Richard Kimble, and the hang-dog looks of humiliation that he can display as an M.D. on the run from blind "justice" - while constantly searching for clues to the whereabouts of the "one-armed man" whom he saw running from the scene of his wife's murder - are truly fabulous! Moreover, the guest stars on this TV show read like a "Who's Who" of 1950s-1970s television and movies - some of my favorite guest stars on The Fugitive include Leslie Neilsen, Diana Hyland (=doll), Warren Oates, Carroll O'Connor, Vera Miles (=babe), Brian Keith, Suzanne Pleshette (=doll), Pat Crowley (=babe), Sandy Dennis, Ed Nelson, Susan Oliver (=doll), Robert Duvall, Angie Dickinson (=babe), Beverly Garland, Alejandro Rey, Brenda Vaccaro (=doll), Murray Matheson, Telly Savalas, Jack Weston, Ed Binns, Diana Van der Vlis (=babe), Brenda Scott (=doll), Jack Klugman, James Best, Buck Taylor, Diane Brewster (=babe), Pamela Tiffin (=doll), Andrew Prine, Jacqueline Scott (=doll), Robert Keith (Brian's father), Robert Webber, Pippa Scott (=babe), John Anderson, Joanna Frank (=doll), Pat Hingle, Nancy Malone (=babe), Eileen Heckart, Albert Salmi, Lee Grant, Gilbert Roland, Madlyn Rhue, Claude Akins, Joanna Moore (=babe), Shirley Knight (=babe), Richard Carlson, Gloria Graham, Bethel Leslie (=babe), John Fiedler, John McGiver, Joseph Campanella - the list goes on & on - and every guest star listed above except Suzanne P. and Brenda Scott appear in the FIRST SEASON ALONE!

SERIOUSLY, FOLKS, GET THIS TV SERIES!!

This is the second half of Season One of THE FUGITIVE, television's best drama series by more than one account. This is the continuing pursuit of the innocent Dr. Richard Kimble by the relentless Lt. Philip Gerard. The episodes that are included in this volume are:

16 The Garden House
17 Come Watch Me Die
18 Where the Action Is
19 Search in a Windy City
20 Bloodline
21 Rat in a Corner
22 Angels Travel on Lonely Roads (1)
23 Angels Travel on Lonely Roads (2)
24 Flight from the Final Demon
25 Taps for a Dead War
26 Somebody to Remember
27 Never Stop Running
28 The Homecoming
29 Storm Center
30 The End Game

This series is so good that it's worth whatever CBS/Paramount wants to charge. Their mastering of the first half-season was pretty good, and I'd expect the same here.

Bring on more of THE FUGITIVE!

Thank you to CBS Video for believing in "The Fugitive" enough to continue issuing the series. While I dislike having to buy split-season sets, I'm glad they're still coming. If it means having to buy eight volumes to get all four seasons, it's what I'll do to get my second-favorite series of all time.

I am happy to see that Paramount is releasing another volume of The Fugitive. Thank you for doing this!

To all the readers of the reviews (for both volumes):
1. Notice how many 5 star reviews have been given for this TV series.
2. Notice how many great actors starred in this series.
3. Notice how many times people write "the best TV series ever".
4. Notice how many encourage young viewers to see this series.
5. Notice how many write that they can't wait until the rest of the series is released (Paramount take note).

Doesn't this tell you something?? It should. All these reviews cannot be wrong. It's true... this IS one of the best (if not THE best) TV drama ever... period! Do yourself a favor and buy this series. I assure you - you will not be disappointed.

Paramount, please note - KEEP THE VOLUME SETS COMING UNTIL YOU HAVE RELEASED ALL OF THE EPISODES... PLEASE! This is one fan that will buy all 8 of the box sets (120 episodes). PS - maybe throw in some special features. How about a bio on David Janssen or maybe check in with Barry Morse and see what he is doing these days. It would be great to have him do some commentary on some episodes. Maybe on the last episode - "Judgement Day". Just a thought!

The Fugitive is still the best drama ever created for TV. The likable star, the world famous guest castings, the great stories, the cutting edge topics (which rival Route 66 for its time), and the unique methods of escape devised for Kimble each week. And don't forget that the minorities featured in this series had relevant, social positions in their respective enviroment. It has taken TOO long for this series to receive video display. If you amazon fans don't have either of the three Fugitive companion books, make it a point to obtain one. My first volume of the DVD contained no bonus features. Here is hoping that the second volume does. This show ran four years during its network run. In today's anemic TV market, The Fugitive would run 10-12 years easily and blow the competition out of the water. Buy this series and see why!

thank you Paramount for releasing more of the fugitive on dvd. thank you for releasing the series quicker than i expected. this tv show is one of the best shows of the 60's. it is so good too see this series again, because home video is the only way too ever see this show again. the trash they show on tv today is showing you the writer's have ran out of ideas too put good shows on tv. keep the fugitive coming.

I just learned the sad news that Barry Morse, who played Lt. Philip Gerard, has passed away at age 89. How ironic that we should lose him just as this fabulous show is finally being released on DVD. His performance as the police Lt. bent on catching Dr. Richard Kimble will always remain one of the greatest in TV history. His other wonderful performances include a starring role on the TV series "Space 1999" and guest shots on such great shows as "The Outer Limits". I'm really looking foward to the second half of season one of "The Fugitive", due out on February 26th. We'll miss you, Barry...

I consider "The Fugitive" one of the best television series ever made. I am so excited that it has finally started coming out on DVD. David Janssen was the perfect actor for this series and the writing for the show was absolutely superb. They don't make tv shows like "The Fugitive" anymore. For those too young to remember the series, you are in for a real treat.

After getting season 1, I was so freakin hooked on this great show and now I am getting another fix of David Janssen !
Finally !!

F.Y.I.- Amazon, his name is Janssen, not Janseen which is how you have it spelled on the website. Also it says starring William Conrad, who is the narrator and never appears on the show.
Try Starring David Janssen and Barry Morse ! {Morse never get any love}

** Just finished Season 1 Part2 and freakin loved it!
I have already pre ordered Season 2 Part 1 and awaiting patiently for its release.
Rest In Peace Lt.Gerard, you are missed !!