Customer Reviews

The Fugitive - Season Two, Vol. 1

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(89)

 

 

[Addendum added below]

Back in June of 2008, when this set was first issued, CBS/Paramount had replaced all of the original underscore with newly commissioned music. It ripped the heart and soul out of the show and its fans. But CBS/Paramount wisely listened to its fans, through letters to the company, from online reviews at places like this, and Internet chat forums where the subject was discussed at great length.

In February of 2009, CBS/Paramount announced and instituted a program whereby purchasers of this set could send in their proofs of purchase and receive a revised set with nearly all of the original music restored. Early returns are in among fans, and overwhelmingly this set is now back to where it should be, given the limitations of some "minor" music replacements.

Music replacement is a reality in this litigious society, so if it has to be done, then CBS/Paramount has done its homework and given us an acceptable Season Two Volume One set for THE FUGITIVE. The vast majority of Peter Rugolo's magnificent music cues are back, as are most of the CBS library cues that originated with shows like THE TWILIGHT ZONE and GUNSMOKE. There are minor instances of some apparently troublesome cues now replaced with fairly innocuous newer cues. The important thing is that the soul of the show (the music) has largely been returned.

As Amazon doesn't allow revised ratings in edited reviews, unfortunately, the star rating system for this release will tend to skew lower than it should. I'm unable to change my initial one-star review to anything higher, but if I could, I'd raise it to four-and-a-half.

The video, as is customary from CBS/Paramount is exceptional, and the series has never looked so good. The black-and-white imagery is sharp and clear, with great shadow detail. The original mono sound quality is also good with clear, understandable dialog, and now with the corrected music, is no longer much of an issue.

While there are no extras with these FUGITIVE sets thus far, it's not a critical factor. This series doesn't NEED extras - the show itself is good enough to sustain anyone's interest and holds up well to repeated viewings.

For reference, it took about two weeks from mailing in the proofs of purchase to my receiving the corrected set. By the way, you get a full and complete second set - complete with artwork, improved keep case, and printed inserts, which are now readable on the inside without removing discs!

CBS/Paramount has taken our issue to heart and made good on their promise to put classic TV on a pedestal. Support their efforts with your purchases of this exceptional series on DVD.

[Addendum, several years later. I'm learning that new orders of THE FUGITIVE, Season 2, Volume 1, are still being shipped with the totally replaced music. If indeed THAT is the case, then this set should be avoided at all costs. CBS/Paramount did the right thing in re-issuing the set with largely corrected music, but, if this is true, have dropped the ball again by foisting the replaced-scores-by-Heyes upon an unsuspecting public. Unfortunately I know of no way to tell in advance whether you'd get a set with bad music or good music, but buyer beware. The exchange program is long gone, as far as I know.]

From the start the Fugitive could easily have been too depressing a show to watch. An innocent man mercilessly hounded, forced to run for his life, "to hide in lonely desperation." One big reason that it wasn't unwatchable is that Richard Kimble did have a traveling companion. It was his theme music. Particularly during the superior first three seasons, his theme helped form him and his world. Along with Kimble himself, it was what remained most familiar to fans from one story to the next. The Fugitive theme continually reminded us that this was Kimble's story, and reassured us that he would survive, as it urged him to move on. It even added prestige to his quest. Kimble seemed nobler because of his theme. But Paramount/CBS has destroyed all of that in their Season Two Volume One release by stripping the original music from the body of the show. What remains is a kind of disconnected "vanilla" dramatic mix that offers none of the previously existing sense of reassurance. In part because of the condition of American society when the Fugitive was born, the show's message of hope made it much more than just a TV series for many Americans who were feeling pretty alienated and isolated at the time, and that's part of the reason Fugitive fans are taking Paramount/CBS's mutilation of our memories so personally now. The show had also used other recurring music themes, such as that used to underscore the appearance of the police (especially Gerard), and to otherwise sensitively and effectively maximize the emotional potential of each adventure. Not all of the music used in the show was original of course, but it all represented the choices of those who had a moral right to make those choices, and it came to be part of the memories of the fans. The clueless reviewers and the apathetic customers who disregard the damage done by this release are paving the way for more of the same. Future generations may believe that this release represents all that the Fugitive was. I suggest that those who would respond, "So what?" compare the Paramount/CBS first season releases to the second. This new release is a demonstration of Paramount/CBS's contempt for David Janssen, Pete Rugolo, and the rest of the show's team, for those who have embraced the show for over four decades now, and for new viewers who are being deprived of an authentic Fugitive experience. To argue that the show is good enough to survive this second season mutilation is a sad cause to champion. When I watched this new release I felt that Richard Kimble was truly alone in a barren world. Paramount/CBS has now created a Fugitive that absolutely is too depressing to watch. Please, Paramount/CBS, do it right or don't do it at all.

I really did not like the concept of colorization, but at least when Ted Turner issued a colorized version he also issued a straight B&W one, often bringing some titles out for the first time and making them available. The buyer had a choice, but not so with this edition of "The Fugitive" TV series. No choice is possible as only this altered version of the 15 episodes with new music is on offer. I purchased it before I realized this was the case. I actually need a magnifying glass to read the disclaimer on the back as it is in as small a font as possible without disappearing from view, "Some music has been changed for the home entertainment version." From what I gather from CBS Video's own admission is that "ALL" the background music has been replaced, so this is not only almost hidden, it is not honest and would not fit into very many people's definition of "truth in advertising." But even more dishonest is the fact that in a much larger font and all caps and in a much more prominant place on the back cover is the statement, "TRANSFERRED FROM THE ORIGINAL NEGATIVE WITH RESTORED AUDIO"... As I have read from another review, this is not a "restoration" as the audio portion should really be termed "desecrated" as the music is not restored at all. To restore something in my opinion is to bring it back as close to the original as possible, not re-do it almost entirely.

The only way I know to really get the attention of the marketing folk at CBS is to vote with our pocketbooks. I will not buy any future releases that have altered music such as this volume. The majority of people posting reviews here are very disturbed by this release and I would guess sales have been affected compared to the prior two volumes where the background music was in place. I have to wonder what legal difference there was between the first and second seasons to make this change necessary. I would guess that it would not be hard to resolve any issues. The point is that after lulling purchasers into expecting the original music found in the prior released volumes, which both carried the same disclaimer phrase but in larger type, there is no real warning before purchase except in forums such as this. I can read the phrase on both earlier volumes without the magnifying glass, especially the first volume where all caps have been used. I find it ironic that it can be read on the versions with the background music intact, and is barely legible on the one where all the background music has been replaced. Was this the intent, to dupe unsuspecting buyers? Whatever the case I feel defrauded.

Perhaps there is a chance that the popular opinion of fans of the series, my all-time favorite, will hold sway and we can get essentially orginal versions in the future. Reduced sales would help send the message.

The reason of The Fugitive Season Two Volume One is a tremendous disappointment as many have stated as they've altered it and it's not the ORIGINAL series we fans came to love. Without the original Pete Ruggulo music its' a far cry from the series we remember and it does make a difference. My suggestion is to write and complain so that future releases are ORIGINAL and perhaps they may even re-release this volume!
Mr. John Nogawski

President, CBS Television Distribution
2401 Colorado Ave, Ste 110
Santa Monica CA 90404

and:

Mr. Ken Ross

Executive VP, CBS Home Entertainment

1700 Broadway 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10019

These are the contacts that will be involved in future decisions on The Fugitive and they should be advised that this is NOT a subtle or minor revision.

"The greatest dramatic series ever presented on american television" so wrote Steven King in his intro to the book "Fugitive Recaptured" An opinion I happen to share. I own all the vhs editions that were produced in the 90s and several more that I taped on A& E. I rejoiced at the news that it was being released on DVD and grabed volumes one and two of the first season as soon as they were available. Then this happens. A total disregard for the integrity of this outstanding show. The new music is stark and blaring. I am seriously considering buying a "bootleg" edition from the internet.

All I can say is I wanted The Fugitive on DVD, but not like this. Thank goodness for something like Netflix to come along and save $$$ before you buy such a "Bastardized" version of what you want. My advice from now on if at all possible "TRY BEFORE YOU BUY". I think I have made my point that I WILL NOT purchase such "Abominations" such as this. PUT THE FUGITVE ON DVD AS ORIGINALLY AIRED AND I WILL RECONSIDER PURCHASE. If CBS/Paramount is planning on Season 2, Vol 2 being this way- THEY CAN KEEP IT!!!! I personally don't think there is enough $ in it for them to go to such efforts to make things right. This is NOT "The Fugitive".

P.S. While you are at it CBS/Paramount- Go ahead and dub in Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones to make the screw up complete!!!

Wow. You really blew it with this one. And to think this is coming from a company that did so well in the past with other television series releases like "Mission: Impossible" and "The Wild, Wild West."

There is only one thing to do -- recall Season Two, Volume One and re-release it with the original music intact. Or, do yourself a bigger favor and release the entire 30 episodes of Season Two in one package with the original music intact.

You got to do something to repair your reputation on this one, bro. Seriously. You've ruined one of the best, most successful television series of all time. You gotta act. Do the right thing.

Sincerely,

Everybody

For me the music on this show was 50 percent of my enjoyment, the music breathed Richard Kimble. As you know by now they wiped it all off this set! The biggest blunder in DVD history if you ask me. Sad business. For me it completely ruins this set.

I own the first two volumes from season one. When I read that the music soundtrack was altered, I held back from buying the next issue. I have written letters to CBS Home Entertainment asking that they honor the integrity of this work. If the original work is modified beyond what I watched in the 1960's, I will stick with my memories. The Fugitive series is very dear to my heart and modification of the work, no matter the excuse, is not acceptable. I will also refrain from buying any products from CBS Entertainment until the policy changes. Wake up folks. We don't want repackaged goods -- we want the original as close as it can be. If only we could have the commercials that were played along with the original, we could really feel transported back in time! Okay, maybe I can go without the commercials, but it's still an interesting idea.

Well, I'm certainly not the only one who caught the music snafu....they even added credits for the new music into the original credits in the same font style as the original to make it look original to the new viewer. Shame on all connected to this rape of original content. And just a little note on the bottom of the packaging "Some music has been changed for this home entertainment version" SOME! how about ALL! I will not buy any future sets unless all original music is restored.