Customer Reviews

One Step Beyond, Volume 1

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

 

 

This is a box set of five videotapes/forty episodes (eight episodes per tape) of the vintage television series, "One Step Beyond" hosted by John Newland. For those of you who are too young to remember, "One Step Byond" was an anthology series somewhat in the same vein as the "Twilight Zone" but focusing more on psychic and/or occult phenomenon allegedly based on true occurences. As one might expect, these true(?) stories were dramatized for television. "One Step Beyond" was a good show and a worthwhile addition to any horror/sci-fi video collection. However, I rated these episodes as two stars because of the poor quality of the videos. These videos are standard play (SP) mode but this did little to enhance the quality. The videos are not remastered or enhanced at all. This is not necessarily a bad thing, however, the original film print often suffers from dirt, scratches, spots, and age. The fade-ins and fade-outs are sometimes "choppy" presumably from editing or mishandling by local televsion stations while in syndicated reruns. Overall, I am glad I purchased this set. It is watchable and better than nothing. However, I think "One Step Beyond" deserves respect and a much better treatment than "Bridgestone Multimedia" (the manufacturer) has given it.

WHILE IT IS TRUE THE VIDEO QUALITY BY TODAY'S STANDARD IS POOR, THE FACT THAT THIS HARD TO FIND AND RARE SERIES IS AVAILABLE AT ALL IS THE TRUE WONDER, IT SEEMS THE PRODUCER OF THE VHS VERSION, JUST LET THE TAPE RUN, WITH MINIMAL EDITING, THIS HOWEVER MAKES IT EASY TO OVERDUB.
THE STORIES ARE MAGNIFICENT, AND STILL BRING A CHILL WHEN THE THEME MUSIC PLAYS, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE SIXTIES WHEN LAST I SAW THE SHOW, I THINK ANY ONE STEPPERS, WOULD TRULY ENJOY THE VIDEOS, AS I HAVE

DOCTORLUM

4-25-01 I've always loved this series eversince I first saw it on TV when I was in the Philippines. John Newland as the producer and the guide really provided credibility to this program. Whenever he could he would invite actual persons involved in the experience to comment on their experience as in the episode on the sinking of the Hood. Each episode was well done and dramatized to give each the reality a program like this need. With the exeption of some glitches resulting from transfer from reel to reel to video format, the essential quality remains intacked. The Black and White format, added to the suspense that one feels as the program reaches its climactic frame. I would recommend this video to all afficionados of the unknown. I just wish that there is more of it.

There was "One Step Beyond". These simple tales of hauntings and mysterious events are based on "true stories".
Fascinating stuff, interesting look at the aesthetics of early television. You'll recognize many of the actors who went on to better things.

While the episodes from One Step Beyond are classic and wonderful, the quality of the videos themselves is quite poor. If the orignal film had dirt on it scratched, or there was a break in it, those effects showed up on the video. The sound at times dragged. The fading in and out scenes were handle in an abrupt manner and not in a smooth flowing fashion. It's a real shame that the company that produced this video set didn't do a better job. I was truly disappointed.

I was happy to find the episode, Night of Decision, it is about George Washington at Vally Forge. The tape was very good, but it was supposed to have 5 episodes and the tape I received only had 4 episodes. (1-Night of Decision, 2-Make Me Not a Witch, 3-Vanishing Point, and 4-Moment of Hate.) 5-The Riddle was not on the tape I received!! I was very disappointed. I remember watching these episodes on tv. The stories are all true, and it still amazes me that they really happened. The story about George Washington should be shown in every school across the U.S.A. It really showes that this country had Gods Blessings !!