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Editorial Reviews
Heroes and villains of DC Comics square off in the two-part, live-action, made-for-TV (with a laugh track!) smackdowns of Legends of the Super Heroes.
The Challenge: Batman and Robin (Adam West and Burt Ward of the live-action Batman TV series) lead The Flash, Green Lantern and more JLA members against The Riddler (Frank Gorshin reprising his TV role), Mordru, Weather Wizard and other Doom-dealers. The Legion's ultimate gambit: trick the heroes into downing a diabolical depowering drink!
The Roast: Poking fun beats swapping punches when celebrity host Ed McMahon emcees a rowdy rave-up. Who knew DC Super Heroes and villains packed as much verbal wit as physical grit when not locked in mortal combat? These Legends will leave you laughing.
The Challenge: Batman and Robin (Adam West and Burt Ward of the live-action Batman TV series) lead The Flash, Green Lantern and more JLA members against The Riddler (Frank Gorshin reprising his TV role), Mordru, Weather Wizard and other Doom-dealers. The Legion's ultimate gambit: trick the heroes into downing a diabolical depowering drink!
The Roast: Poking fun beats swapping punches when celebrity host Ed McMahon emcees a rowdy rave-up. Who knew DC Super Heroes and villains packed as much verbal wit as physical grit when not locked in mortal combat? These Legends will leave you laughing.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By Hound Dog
This program is a campy two-part, Hanna-Barbera television special that aired only once (perhaps with good reason) in January 1979. Intended to loosely imitate Dean Martin's celebrity roasts of the time, as well as the famous "Batman" television series (from 1966-68), this cheesy show is a nostalgic blast to the past for kids of all ages. What may be its most remarkable legacy is seeing (despite the budget limitations) so many familiar DC Comics super-heroes and villains in live action wearing relatively faithful renditions of their classic costumes. Also, the use of cheapo videotape (instead of film), a live studio audience, and a laugh track here gives "Legends" the mystique of a busted tv sitcom pilot destined to become a cult classic.
The first and much better segment, "The Challenge," features several dreaded villains, including Solomon Grundy, Dr. Siavana, Giganta, Weather Wizard, Sinestro, and the Riddler (the ever-fiesty Frank Gorshin) scheming to set off a diabolical "doomsday" bomb to destroy the world. They then unwisely challenge our league of super-heroes, including Green Lantern, Captain Marvel, the Flash, Hawkman, Huntress, Black Canary, and Batman & Robin (Adam West and Burt Ward) to stop the bomb within sixty minutes. One should note that this special features the first live-action appearances of the featured DC Comics characters (except for Captain Marvel and the trio of "Batman" characters). Among the highlights are: Green Lantern visiting a gypsy fortune teller (Sinestro); Captain Marvel chatting with a demented psychiatrist (the Riddler), and Batman & Robin buying a "lemon" motorcycle & side car from a disguised Weather Wizard. Don't miss the scenes of Dr. Sivana's secret lemonade stand where he heckles the heroes for being too cheap to buy a glass (even though it temporarily steals their super-powers).
Although adults can easily tell this 95-minute program was filmed on the super-cheap (particularly, the minimal special effects) with mostly unknown actors & comedians, it is still a hoot to watch "The Challenge" as long as you keep modest expectations. As a side note, the water chase sequence reminded me of those slow motion action montages one would see on old episodes of "CHIPS," just adding super hero costumes.
The second segment, "The Roast," featuring the late Ed McMahon as emcee, is, unfortunately, mostly a disappointment. Filmed on only one set, this 45+ minute super-hero parody probably was a great idea in theory, but not when it's so poorly executed, particularly since all of the weak jokes leave it running at a snail's pace. Including segments where Hawkman is visited by his "mother" no less; the Atom in a vertically-challenged romance with Giganta; and Batman confronting Robin over a wrecked Batmobile, this one is a real groan-fest for adults. For whatever reason, Frank Gorshin inexplicably doesn't appear in the "Roast" (though virtually all of the other "Challenge" actors make appearances). His Riddler would have likely added some much-needed zest to a show, which is all too often simply boring.
Overall Review: 6/10 ("The Challenge" 8/10, "and "The Roast" 4/10). Enjoy "Legends" for what it is, but I recommend getting it first at a reasonable price.
P.S. Notably, in terms of television history, this is also the final appearance of Adam West & Burt Ward in costume as the Dynamic Duo.
The first and much better segment, "The Challenge," features several dreaded villains, including Solomon Grundy, Dr. Siavana, Giganta, Weather Wizard, Sinestro, and the Riddler (the ever-fiesty Frank Gorshin) scheming to set off a diabolical "doomsday" bomb to destroy the world. They then unwisely challenge our league of super-heroes, including Green Lantern, Captain Marvel, the Flash, Hawkman, Huntress, Black Canary, and Batman & Robin (Adam West and Burt Ward) to stop the bomb within sixty minutes. One should note that this special features the first live-action appearances of the featured DC Comics characters (except for Captain Marvel and the trio of "Batman" characters). Among the highlights are: Green Lantern visiting a gypsy fortune teller (Sinestro); Captain Marvel chatting with a demented psychiatrist (the Riddler), and Batman & Robin buying a "lemon" motorcycle & side car from a disguised Weather Wizard. Don't miss the scenes of Dr. Sivana's secret lemonade stand where he heckles the heroes for being too cheap to buy a glass (even though it temporarily steals their super-powers).
Although adults can easily tell this 95-minute program was filmed on the super-cheap (particularly, the minimal special effects) with mostly unknown actors & comedians, it is still a hoot to watch "The Challenge" as long as you keep modest expectations. As a side note, the water chase sequence reminded me of those slow motion action montages one would see on old episodes of "CHIPS," just adding super hero costumes.
The second segment, "The Roast," featuring the late Ed McMahon as emcee, is, unfortunately, mostly a disappointment. Filmed on only one set, this 45+ minute super-hero parody probably was a great idea in theory, but not when it's so poorly executed, particularly since all of the weak jokes leave it running at a snail's pace. Including segments where Hawkman is visited by his "mother" no less; the Atom in a vertically-challenged romance with Giganta; and Batman confronting Robin over a wrecked Batmobile, this one is a real groan-fest for adults. For whatever reason, Frank Gorshin inexplicably doesn't appear in the "Roast" (though virtually all of the other "Challenge" actors make appearances). His Riddler would have likely added some much-needed zest to a show, which is all too often simply boring.
Overall Review: 6/10 ("The Challenge" 8/10, "and "The Roast" 4/10). Enjoy "Legends" for what it is, but I recommend getting it first at a reasonable price.
P.S. Notably, in terms of television history, this is also the final appearance of Adam West & Burt Ward in costume as the Dynamic Duo.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
It had been so long since I saw these when a kid that I had actually thought I maybe just imagined them. Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin, live action, 10 years after the end of their series. I am so glad I found this. Cheesy as possible, but I loved it. If you didn't grow up with the Batman series or Superfriends, you probably won't get the charm of this. If you did, what are you waiting for?
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By E. Edwards
Amazon Verified Purchase
The picture & sound quality of the "Legends of the Superheroes" dvd is great. And unlike many of Warner's other MOD releases, a few extras are included in the form of outtakes. As for the contents, well, this isn't the tongue-in-cheek camp of the Batman series. DC heroes & villains are played strictly for laughs, but at the time this was broadcast, it was fun seeing so many costumed characters in live action. According to his biography, Adam West hoped this outing would lead to having the Dynamic Duo in a feature film, and was less than proud of the slapstick results. (Batman & Robin chasing Mordru on jetskis? Holy Sea World!) Still, it's nice that Warner Archives made this available to purchase. Can the "Shazam" series be far behind?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
this DVD is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anybody remember the old Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts? Well, this series of specials which were produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions when they were still prominent in production... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Darrel Shishido
3.0 out of 5 stars
LEGENDS OF THE STUPID HEROES
When Adam West was asked what he thought of LEGENDS OF THE SUPERHEROES he said it was "a terrible show". He was right. Read more
Published 1 month ago by c.g. gilman
4.0 out of 5 stars
a 70's classic!
So glad to have this near perfect quality dvd copy to replace the glitchy multi generation vhs copy I have had for 20+ years!
Published 3 months ago by richard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rare movie
This movie helps any movie buff in trivia . Like the last time Adam West was in Batman. Lot of people may not know this
rare movie is out there. Read more
rare movie is out there. Read more
Published 3 months ago by poetwriter
4.0 out of 5 stars
old skool
this really took me back to my childhood,great to see the old batman again.
cant wait for the whole series to come out.
cant wait for the whole series to come out.
Published 3 months ago by tom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Campy, fun, brings back memories
I got what I paid for. If you never saw the original as a child, I might suggest you take a pass on this. But, if you saw the original and liked it, this is a lot of fun. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jaded Bell
5.0 out of 5 stars
legends of the super heroes
I really liked watching it as it reminded me of when I was a kid. it played great with no problems at all.
Published 4 months ago by Ken
3.0 out of 5 stars
Silly and Hokey Fun
Just awful but silly and a bit fun too. Save your money. Look for the original Batman movie instead. Now that one is a classic.
Published 4 months ago by Sheena Boyce
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dated, but still funny!
This is truly a live action version of the Superfriends! The actors/actresses must have received some cues from Adam West and Burt Ward, because their performances were spot on... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Michael Gimon 3
5.0 out of 5 stars
MUST HAVE!
For Batman or JLA fans, that's an item you MUST have!
The show is not thaaaaaaaat great, but, the work that Warner did restoring this piece, including some outtakes,... Read more
The show is not thaaaaaaaat great, but, the work that Warner did restoring this piece, including some outtakes,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Gabriel de Araujo Almeida
