Customer Reviews

Hawaii Five-O - The Complete First Season

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1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have long been waiting for H5O to come out on dvd. (I mean, come on we have 6 seasons of Magnum P.I. now...) After watching my almost 20 year old VHS tapes made from tv I can say these dvd's blow me away with the clean crisp prints and excellent sound. This show was groundbreaking in that it was shot comepletely on location in Hawaii, something that was very expensive to do, and who can ever forget that theme music.

Season 1 has several great episodes and the pilot episode a 96 minute one called "Cocoon" is very chilling. Some of the standout episodes from this season are the pilot one, And They Painted Daisies On His Coffin, By The Numbers, Yesterday Died and Tomorrow Won't Be Born, King Of The Hill, and The Box. Two of these have Gavin McLeod playing the role of drug kingpin "Big Chicken" and he does it very well.

The only extra is a nice one. It is a special from 1996 filmed in Hawaii with James MacArthur as co-host. Sadly most of the stars of H5O have passed on since this was taped but it is a very interesting and informative special with a nice tribute to Jack Lord. My biggest wish is that James MacArthur had done some commentary for a few episodes, mostly King Of The Hill and And They Painted Daisies On His Coffin, as these were very piviotal episodes based on his character Danno.

If you are a fan of this show (or 1960's cop shows in general) be sure to pick it up you will not be dissapointed. Hopefully we won't have to wait twelve years to have all twelve seasons on dvd. Last note, all the epidoes apprear unedited and run approximately 51 minutes and all music seems to be intact including sevreal night club numbers sung by various guest stars on the show. Kudos to CBS for clearing the music rights for this show.

With one of the most recognizable theme songs in television history, Hawaii Five-O literally burst onto the television screen with its rapid fire montage of opening credits and a brisk pace to its action that was unusual at the time. It served as a counter punch to the lazy images of Hawaiians basking in the sun, by revealing a complex world of crime that swirled around Honolulu like a cyclone. It was up to Steve McGarrett and his boys to rid the island of these unwanted elements, with Wo Fat being his most memorable nemesis. The show may not have been the first to showcase local talent, but it had a strong cast made up of Americans and Asians that presaged the multi-ethnic crime dramas of the late 70s and 80s. It goes without saying that it was the inspiration for Miami Vice, but this was no pastel color version of Honolulu. You can forget Don Ho singing Tiny Bubbles. McGarret looked more like a hardnosed FBI agent than he did the chief detective, running his crew like drill sergeant. James MacArthur may have seemed a little soft but he provided the necessary relief to Lord's hardboiled command. Kam Fong played the memorable Chin Ho through most of the series, which lasted 12 years. An incredible run!

Jack Lord's classic series finally arrives on DVD. It looks great! Colors are bright and vibrant and we actually get a solid extra. "Hawaii Five-O" ran from 1968 to 1980 and was a fixture on CBS' schedule pulling in solid ratings throughout that time. Lord played former Navy officer Steve McGarrett who dealt with all manner of scum in the 50th State. As someone else pointed out, this is the granddaddy of the modern procedural show (along with some of Jack Webb's series)and, no doubt, inspired such shows as the "CSI" franchise.

This set has the original uncut 90+ minute pilot (which was cut into two episodes during syndication)as well as the entire uncut first season of the series. We also get "Emme's Island Moments: Memories of "Hawaii Five-O" a locally but professionally produced behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the show which features interviews with cast and crew members.

Paramount has done a terrific job with this set. I say "Buy 'em Danno!"

The 1st Season is set to be released just about spring cleaning time. What a great break from putting back the screens and sorting the attic. But this DVD version promises to be more than a diversion, as was the original TV series. For those of you who are too young to have watched it, Hawaii Five-0 remains the longest running cop show (1968-80)--and for good reason. It combined crisp script-writing that followed "The Formula" with some of the first on-locale shooting, superb production elements from Leonard Freeman and his seasoned crew, and the consistent professionalism of its star, Jack Lord. As noted elsewhere here, the opening sequence (a montage of Polynesian enticement intermingled with modern Honolulu, to the tune of The Ventura's big instrumental hit) itself is a stirring sequence and indeed won an Emmy for its editing.

To be sure, the acting is at times wooden, stiff to the point of making caricatures of the actors, but as the series developed, so too did the characters, endearing themselves to loyal viewers. Much has been made of the scenery, or rather the local setting, and how it enhanced the plot line. (The DVD format will no doubt bring a richer texture and sharper definition to the setting which the VHS format could never do). And it is worth noting that Freeman insisted on filming this on-location in Hawaii, an initially costly calculation that introduced the Aloha State to countless millions of viewers, and literally loaded the state coffers with tourist dollars.

Still uncertain as to whether to buy? Then consider the fact that Hawaii Five-0 has been in syndication for decades and shows no signs of waning interest. The number of fan websites devoted to the series is testament enough. In Germany and elsewhere, it has an almost cult following rivaling the Bond films and in Paradise itself it is almost a rite of passage for many locals. Sure, much has been made of how the locals were used in this TV series but considering when it ran it was far ahead of its time. The series also gave a start to many local acting careers and its cast frequently sponsored or otherwise underwrote many local dramatic productions. A genuine man of principles like the character he portrayed--he was quietly active in local philanthropy--Jack Lord himself loved the islands and its people, which actually reveals itself with poignancy in some of scenes.

The show was not afraid to confront issues of the day head-on. Of course many of those concerns might seem trite from today's vantage point but others remain pressing: a soldier returning from war (in this case Vietnam), another soldier unable to shake the bitterness of another war (with Japan), environmental protectionism, the usurpation of Hawaiian culture and the destructive power of youth drug culture, and crime in general.

I look forward to reliving a portion of my adolescence when viewing this DVD. It will also be refreshing to hear dialogue that in unabashedly candid if at times a little corny and stilted, and written without the need to circumvent the censor. For despite being a cop show, it is unrated and therefore appropriate for older children to watch. It has little in the way of gratuitious or graphic violence and the language isn't a torrent of expletives. Sure, there was never a special state police force, but it bears mentioning that HPD headquarters actually includes a small museum as a lasting tribute to the show.

Now, if you happen to know the show well, you don't need my exhortations. And you won't think me odd to admit that on occasion when I stroll past Iolani Palace or the Ilikai Hotel, I make an upward glance, to see if McGarrett is looking through the blinds or leaning over the balcony rail with that trademark grin of his.

One of the greatest and longest-running shows of all time, Hawaii Five-0 has been long-ignored by TV-DVD makers for years, forcing fans to wear out their videotape copies of the grainy, washed-out, cut-for-syndication episodes that have aired continuously around the world since the show left network TV in 1980. Fortunately, the folks at CBS-Paramount decided the time had come to make this show available to DVD fans, and they have knocked this one out of the park!

The episodes in this set look fantastic in all their digitally-remastered and uncut glory. These shows have never appeared so clear and vibrant, with nary a speck of dirt or grit appearing on the prints. The only episode that appears to not have gotten the remastering treatment is "Six Kilos", which still looks better than it ever has in syndication (where it was curiously hard to find in rotation). The episodes, with a great range of guest stars including Leslie Nielsen, Gavin MacLeod (as a vicious drug dealer), Yaphet Kotto and Ricardo Montalban, appear every bit as modern and relevant as any current network television show airing today, despite the fact that it is almost 40 years old. The packaging and menus also get high marks, some of the best I've ever seen among older shows on DVD. This set was clearly put together by a group of people at Paramount who have genuine love for the show.

In the meantime, I just finished viewing the Emme's Island Memories documentary on disc 7, and it was wonderful that they were able to get so many of the cast and crew on camera recounting their memories of the show. It's especially touching knowing that so many of them have passed away since, and that their thoughts on the show will be preserved for all to enjoy for many years to come. I defy any true fan of the show not to get a lump in their throat when they get to the Jack Lord tribute in the show.

This is a set that deserves a place in anyone's home who is a fan of great TV cop shows, or just quality programs in general. Based on the Amazon rankings and sell-out status in stores, here's hoping Season 2 is not far away!

One of the best things about these sets from the 1960s is that episodes are 50 minutes long without commercials! 23 episodes plus a pilot that's over 90 minutes long--now that's real vaule for the discounted price of $35 or so.

The special feature is really wonderful--one of the best things about it is that the people who shared their memories of the show didn't sugarcoat anything. They obviously loved Jack Lord, but they are telling it like it is. James MacArthur is also very forthright about why he left. There's no E True Hollywood Story feeling to this special from the 1990s, thank goodness! It really helps you see what the show meant to the islands and to the people involved.

The transfer is fantastic for such an old show--it looks really, really good. The theme music and opening credits are just classics. Some of the reviewers write about wooden acting in this show--but if that's true, they must be referring to later seasons, because everyone is on their A game in season one--Lord, MacArthur, and the rest do a great job here.

Awesome release from CBS/PARAMOUNT of one of the most desired television police shows ever! From the opening credits of bold letters spelling out HAWAII FIVE-0 and the near tidal wave coming crashing in with intense theme song instrumental playing while montages edited in from dancing hula girls shaking their thing, jet airliners soaring in, zoom ins of diamond head and other areas and city lights and hotels on the coast via day and nightime shots and quick clips of our main charactors in action was one of the coolest sequences ever , the show was always well written and acted and had many fantastic mainstream and charactor actors,Jack Lord at his best as Steve McGarrett head of the Five-0 , James Macarthur as Det Danny "Danno" Williams, Kam Fong as-Det Chin Ho Kelley, Zulu as -Kono Kalakaua, Herman Wedemeyer as- "Duke" Lukela and later we have biker/tough guy actor William Smith as-James "Kimo" Carew joining in much later season. This first season brings us the late 60's with groovy clothing and styles,cars,surfers, beaches, tiki lamps,cruise ships, and awesome island scenery , the show was filmed on location and Mcgarrett's 1968 black mercury peels out many times and is the ultimate police cruiser! The mastering and sound seems better than new on this set, cool artwork one sided discs, extras, and the way cool two hour pilot called -Cocoon and contains the villain of the WO-FAT charactor played to perfection by Khigh Dhiegh who would return in later episodes , also another actor named Tim O' Kelley plays Danno, and nice performances from actors Leslie Nielson. Andrew Duggan , Nancy Kwan and James Gregory It doesn't get better than this ! buy it fast and now! peace!

I used to love that signature tag from Jack Lord at the end of the scenes from next week's episode that would show just before Hawaii Five-O's closing credits. It's too bad that line and those scenes are not part of the extras on this DVD.

However, it is awesome seeing these first season episodes uncut and remastered. Talk about pristine; the colors and picture quality are jaw droppingly good. This may sound silly, but one aspect of the first season I always enjoyed was the Five-O squad in their offices without their suit jackets on. It made the characters seem more real, if that makes any sense. McGarrett was especially cool in these office scenes because he had the shoulder holster. I was never struck by the characters' wardrobe until I viewed later seasons, possibly from the fourth season on, where the characters were dressed in their full ensembles, even when sitting at their desks! It just looked uncomfortable.

Anyway...

My favorite first season episodes include: "Cocoon" (the 2 hour pilot), "Full Fathom Five," "And They Painted Daises on His Coffin," "Tiger By the Tail," "Yesterday Died and Tomorrow Won't Be Born" and "The Box" . This DVD also has "Six Kilos" which was rarely shown in syndication.

It's about time this classic police drama is being released on DVD, and you gotta love the opening credits: Starring Jack Lord, with James MacArthur as "Danny", Zulu as "Kono", and Kam Fong as "Chin Ho".

"Be Here, Aloha!"

Lets be honest, if not for Hawaii Five-o, there would be NO Magnum PI. If not for Hawaii Five-O, we would not have such hard driven detective shows that we have had. To praise the first season is easy. These mini movies were complete and complex stories, not like some of the items on TV today.

The stories of the first season were good story telling. It also used one other character, its location..Hawaii. It was not a studio type of production, it was filmed in the 50th state fully. The cast did not dumb down the dialog nor the action and not the location. Note Hawaii may be the back drop, but it was not a sightseeing tour..meaning you saw Hawaii, but the audience was not made as a look at the sites. Hawaii's unique landscape is what made this interesting.

Jack Lord was no Columbo. He was hard as nails team leader. He showed strenghth and conviction is every action and his team backed him. He was nononsense but he also had a heart and you can see it

The first 28 were well due. Bless CBS video for not releasing half sets or best of. Just good Television to enjoy

Book "em Danno, until the rest come out! I want all 12 years if the quality of the DVD release holds up

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

The DVD I have been waiting for 20 years for. Hawaii Five-O has been a favourite of mine since my childhood. While I have many episodes on tape, the quality is not that great. The DVD is great. The colours are vivid. It is a pleasure to see the episodes uncut, rather than the butchered ones that have been shown on tv in recent years. I only hope that the other seasons are released sooner, rather than later.