Product Details

• Actors: Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner
• Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: December 7, 2004
• Run Time: 294 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (267 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0002W4SY0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,576 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Gargoyles: The Complete First Season" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Since its 1994 debut, Disney's animated series Gargoyles has attracted a sophisticated viewership for its unusually thoughtful storyline, mature characters, literary allusions (Arthurian lore, Shakespeare), and parade of celebrity voiceovers. Part Gothic fantasy and part contemporary urban drama, Gargoyles begins with a brutal, 10th-century battle over a Scottish castle, which is guarded at night by winged gargoyles who become flesh in the dark (but who return to stone by day). Under the leadership of Goliath (Keith David), the gargoyles ward off an attack by Vikings, yet are met with disdain by those they protect, including a princess and her advisors. Such is the gargoyles' lot until they are betrayed by a friend and turned to stone for a thousand years. Rescued by a billionaire named Xanatos (Jonathan Frakes)--who breaks the spell by purchasing the castle and relocating it atop his Manhattan skyscraper--Goliath and his friends slowly adapt to the modern world and figure out whom they can trust. In a moving season finale, they adopt New York City as the home they vow to protect. With a certain urgency in every episode, tangled relationships between Goliath and his several allies and enemies (as well as characters who belong somewhere between), and a vocal cast full of Star Trek types (Michael Dorn, Nichelle Nichols, Marina Sirtis, among others), Gargoyles has great appeal to thinking viewers of any age. Special features include the original show pitch by series creator Greg Weisman. --Tom Keogh

Product Description

Experience all 13 thrilling episodes of GARGOYLES' first season in this spectacular 10th anniversary 2-disc DVD set, complete with exclusive bonus features. It's action-packed animation at its very best! For 1,000 years, a race of heroic creatures has been frozen in stone -- the victims of human betrayal. Now, with the magic spell broken, these amazing Gargoyles awaken from their slumber to find themselves transported from the moors of Scotland to the bustling metropolis of New York City. Follow each suspenseful episode to find out if this proud clan of winged warriors will seek revenge on the race that betrayed them.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

118 of 122 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Televised animation at its finest December 19, 2004

By Garrett Aja

Format:DVD

First aired in 1994, Gargoyles represented a major shift in the style of Disney's fledgling "Disney Afternoon" block of syndicated TV shows. While originally envisioned as a slightly darker take on The Gummi Bears (itself an excellent Disney TV series), Gargoyles evolved into a harder action cartoon. However, in true Disney fashion, the show followed the footsteps of some of the finest American action cartoons of the preceding decade and a half: Batman: The Animated Series, G.I. Joe, Dungeons & Dragons, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Blackstar, and Thundarr the Barbarian. Those shows were of a smarter breed, and Gargoyles went even further, going so far as to integrate Arthurian legends and even Shakespeare over the course of its 65 episodes.

This DVD set collects the first 13 episodes of Gargoyles, from the 5-part opening miniseries, "Awakening", to "Reawakening". The episodes are uncut, and unlike recent cable showings, the famous anti-gun episode, "Deadly Force", has not been excised. While there has been no remastering of the series, this isn't necessary, as the transfer here is nothing short of impeccable. The special features, while not as jam-packed as some animation DVDs, are of great quaity, as they include commentaries for the "Awakening" 5-parter (which is heavily laden with spoilers, so be warned if you aren't familiar with the series, or can't recall future events), the original series pitch, and a feature on the show's fanbase.

If you've enjoyed any of the cartoons I've alluded to, or are just interested in a good, smart show, by all means buy this set. And if you're already familiar with Gargoyles, it's safe to say that you know you want it, because it's just that good.

68 of 73 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Finest American Animated Series Ever! August 9, 2005

By Monty Moonlight VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

In 1994, the folks at Disney and creators of the groundbreaking Batman the Animated Series gave American television audiences something they never could have expected: a Disney animated series for both adults AND kids. Drawing inspiration from Disney's wonderful "Adventures of the Gummi Bears" combined with what they learned from the enormously successful "Batman the Animated Series," Gargoyles took the already advancing U.S. animation standard and kicked the whole thing up a few more notches! Disney's "Gargoyles" proved to be the most impressive and widely enjoyable animated series ever to air on U.S. television before and since, full of thought-provoking drama, realistic situations, well-developed characters, and beautiful visuals that lived up to the Disney name.

The story of "Gargoyles" revolves around 6 modern day survivors of an ancient clan of gargoyles from 10th century Scotland. These powerful and intimidating winged creatures live and do battle against evil by night, and sleep by day in the form of defenseless stone statues. Their leader, the imposing and noble Goliath, is plagued with worries brought upon him by the ambiguous nature of the 20th century and the people and gargoyles that repeatedly weave in and out of his circle of trust. The one true ally of the gargoyles is Manhattan Police Detective Elisa Maza, who does her best to protect and guide the creatures as they discover the realities and dangers of modern-day, big-city life. They are threatened by new and old enemies on an almost daily basis, the worst of which is Goliath's former mate, a vengeful female named Demona.... The greatest difficulty the gargoyles face, however, aside from keeping their existence somewhat secret, is knowing who to trust, and the most curious person of all is the billionaire businessman who awoke them, the mysterious and powerful David Xanatos. No matter what new plot unfolds around the Gargoyles, the twists and turns most often reveal the manipulative and power-hungry Xanatos to be pulling the strings.

Disc 1: Episodes 1-7

Episodes 1 thru 5 make up of the pilot for Gargoyles, entitled "Awakening"

These first five episodes introduce our heroes, Goliath the leader, wise, old Hudson, small and mechanically inclined Lexington, big and boisterous Broadway, the teenage-rebel-like Brooklyn, and their dog-like gargoyle, Bronx, and set up the stage for the core of the series. After an introduction to Elisa Maza in modern-day Manhattan, we are flashed back to 994 A.D. Scotland, where the gargoyles battle to defend a castle against Viking intruders, despite the lack of appreciation from the human inhabitants (including the GORGEOUS princess). Through an unfortunate turn of events, the gargoyles are betrayed by a friend, and soon all are dead but Goliath and the 5 others. Cast under a spell to keep them in their stone forms day AND night until "the castle rises above the clouds," Goliath and his friends are finally awakened in modern Manhattan by billionaire David Xanatos, who bought the castle and relocated it atop his towering sky-scraper home. Xanatos passes himself off as a friend to the gargoyles, but time reveals that he is anything but. Xanatos manipulates the gargoyles into stealing 3 computer discs for him, reintroduces Goliath to the bitter mate he thought he had lost a millennium ago, and, when he feels the creatures have outlived their usefulness, attempts to exterminate them. Goliath makes a friend in police detective Elisa Maza though, and together they manage to put Xanatos behind bars; for a while, anyway.

Episode 6: The Thrill of the Hunt

The three younger gargoyles have become obsessed with a TV series called "The Pack," starring 5 wild action heroes, but when Lexington manages to meet the stars, he learns that not everything you see on TV can be trusted.

Episode 7: Temptation

After a motorcycle incident puts Brooklyn in the wrong place at the wrong time, Demona does her best to persuade him to see things her way. It's all part of a plan to place Goliath under a magic spell.

Extras: Feature Commentary for episodes 1-5. Highly enjoyable and informative commentary with the creators and Keith David, the voice of Goliath.

Disc 2: Episodes 8-13

Episode 8: Deadly Force

After seeing his favorite cowboy movie one more time, Broadway stops off at Elisa's apartment for a bite to eat. But, while playing with her gun, it accidentally goes off, landing Elisa in the hospital and in grave danger.

Episode 9: Enter MacBeth

While Xanatos awaits his short jail sentence to be up, a stranger named MacBeth offers to help solve his gargoyle problem, but there's more to MacBeth than he is revealing! In the end, Goliath and the others decide the must relocate to a clock-tower above Elisa's police station for their own safety.

Episode 10: The Edge

The newly released Xanatos donates a jewel to a local museum, then uses one of his robot gargoyles to steal it. His plan is to bring the gargoyles into the public eye, and in a none-too-flattering light, if they won't agree to be at his disposal.

Episode 11: Long Way To Morning

Hudson dreams and reflects on his last adventure as leader of the gargoyle clan, while he and Goliath do their best to avoid extermination by a pursuing Demona.

Episode 12: Her Brother's Keeper

Xanatos offers a job to Elisa's brother Derek as a helicopter pilot and bodyguard, then uses Jackal and Hyena of "The Pack" to test him out. Meanwhile, Elisa visits Fox in prison in an attempt to gain information to convince her brother that Xanatos is untrustworthy. By day's end, Eisa discovers that Fox is infatuated with the seemingly infallible Xanatos, and Derek discovers the existence of the gargoyles.

Episode 13: Reawakening

In this season finale, Xanatos and Demona bring one of Goliath's old rookery brothers back to life in a Frankenstein-esque experiment and brainwash him to go after Goliath and his clan. By the time Goliath gets through to his old friend, it is too late. The season ends with Goliath declaring the island of Manhattan to be their new home that they are obligated to protect.

Extras:

The Gathering of the Gargoyles

This fascinating short piece takes us to a Gargoyles fan gathering in Canada, allowing us to see the impact the show has had on some of its biggest fans!

Original Show Pitch By Greg Weisman

This very entertaining bit of footage is the original show pitch to promote the series to networks, and includes some beautiful production art that I hope we'll see a gallery of in a future season DVD release!

Season One of Gargoyles on DVD is an animation fanatic's dream come true, especially a hardcore Disney-lover like myself! Full of amazing music and voice talent (including lots of names to make Star Trek fans giddy), the show is brilliantly thought-out and executed, loaded with surprises, and each new episode leaves you hungry for the next one! I truly hope Disney continues to release its excellent animated television series on DVD, from Duck Tales, Gummi Bears, and the Wuzzles, all the way through to Kim Possible (yes, I love those less "mature" shows too), and, of course, the rest of Gargoyles! If you loved this show when it first aired, you know why you have to get this DVD set! If you have never seen it before, you have GOT to check it out! You'll be pleasantly surprised at the very least! Read more ›

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gargoyles, one of the best series of all time August 23, 2004

By Demona Taina

Format:DVD

Nearly ten years have passed since Gargoyles first aired. It had a short run, two years, maybe three, quickly thrown aside to make room for "Power Rangers." You may think that the series is forgotten, and that any hope of bringing it back has been lost, but you could not be more wrong. There are thousands of fans all over the globe, people of all ages and backgrounds, all of whom praise this series for the reality intertwined with fantasy and myth, coupled with excellent characters that almost seemed real, in such a way that the love for the series still blooms and the hope of it returning in some way, shape or form has not been lost. It holds a special place in people's hearts, and new fans are falling in love with the series through reruns on Toon Disney and ABC Family.

What is it about the show that is still bringing in new fans even though it's been cancelled for EIGHT YEARS? Well, the story is about creatures who are "stone by day, warriors by night." A thousand years ago, they protected their castle at night, while the humans protected them while they slept. The humans treated the gargoyles with nothing but disrespect, and the gargoyles were betrayed, shattered in their stone sleep, and the surviving gargoyles (Goliath, Hudson, Brooklyn, Broadway, Lexington, and Bronx) were cursed to sleep in stone until "the castle rose above the clouds." A thousand years passed. Billionaire David Xanatos learned of the gargoyles, and had the castle moved, stone by stone, to the top of his skyscraper. The gargoyles awakened in a strange new world and had to learn to adapt if they wanted to survive....

The series deals with subjects such as the consequences of using guns irresponsibly in the episode Deadly Force (the episode that was banned from Toon Disney for a long, long time), revenge, betrayal, death; things you won't find in your average Disney cartoon. The series itself looks like it was written as a whole; every single episode is part of the continuity and each and every character is important. The series is not all about drama; there is some comedy here and there, as well as love, understanding, tolerance, and hope.

You may also find yourself recognizing some of the characters' voices, such as: Keith David (Goliath), Ed Asner (Hudson), Bill Faggerbake (Broadway), Thom-Adcox Hernandez (Lexington), Salli Richardson (Elisa), Jonathan Frakes (Xanatos), Marina Sirtis (Demona, Margot Yale), among many others. The series is so full of talent and you can tell that a lot of love went into this series.

There's a lot more I haven't mentioned here, but there's just too much! This series truly has everything. If you've seen this series before, then re-experience the phenomenon that is Gargoyles through DVD. If you've never seen this series before, I highly recommend the DVD. It may change your life. If you're still not convinced, then think of this: if enough people buy this DVD, then we'll get Season 2 and 3, and maybe even new episodes, which is every fan's dream. Still not convinced? Well, Disney may consider releasing other animated series (such as Darkwing Duck and TaleSpin) on DVD, as they're "testing the waters." If you're not doing it for Gargoyles, then at least do it for those other shows that you grew up with.

If I have convinced you, then great! I know you'll enjoy "Gargoyles." If not, then you're truly missing out on one of the greatest series of all time. Five stars! Read more ›