Product Details

• Actors: Terence Knox, Stephen Caffrey, Joshua Maurer, Steve Akahoshi, Tony Becker
• Directors: Stephen Caffrey
• Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Region: Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
  PLEASE NOTE: Some Region 1 DVDs may contain Regional Coding Enhancement (RCE). Some, but not all, of our international customers have had problems playing these enhanced discs on what are called "region-free" DVD players. For more information on RCE, click .
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 5
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: June 8, 2004
• Run Time: 1003 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (176 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001Z3I12
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,842 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Tour of Duty - The Complete First Season" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The first television series to depict the American soldier in combat during the Vietnam War, producer Zev Braun's Emmy-nominated Tour of Duty earned critical acclaim during its three-season run. Judging by the number of Internet sites devoted to the program, it also remains a fan favorite more than a decade after its 1989 cancellation; said fans should be pleased with this five-disc set, which compiles the entire 1987 debut season in a slightly altered format. What's untouched on this set is the drama and tension endured by the men of Company B, a racially and socially diverse platoon led by Sgt. Zeke Anderson (Terence Knox), as they serve their twelve-month tour in 1967. The 21 episodes of the first season (largely helmed by veteran TV writer-director Bill W.L. Norton) take the platoon from their formation at Firebase Ladybird ("Pilot") to the brutal battle to take Hill 1000 ("The Hill") that concludes the season on a downbeat note. What's missing, as longtime fans will immediately note, is the theme song (the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black") and much of the vintage rock music that played throughout the series. They've been replaced by generic (if effective) library tracks, which may lessen the impact of certain favorite scenes for viewers familiar with the broadcast versions. Also, no other extras are available on the disc, which is a slight disappointment, but for fans, simply having the entire first season might be satisfying enough. --Paul Gaita

Product Description

Terence Knox, Stephen Caffrey, Miguel Nunez, Jr. A U.S. Army platoon struggles against the merciless, bloody tactics of the Viet Cong-and its own government-while trying to serve their country and keep up morale. 20 episodes on 5 DVDs. 1987-88/color/9 hrs/NR/fullscreen.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars The Music is Important July 5, 2004

By Ron F.

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've read with interest all the reviews and viewpoints on this new release. It's an obvious statement on the popularity of this show to see such a reponse. I see both sides of the music argument, and if it doesn't bother you to see the original score removed, then more power to you. But I'm joining all the others who are not buying this release. I just found out it was released and was so excited that I had been jumping back and forth between Ebay and Amazon to find the best deal. Then I decided to read the reviews just to make sure, and I'm glad I did. After always being dissapointed by the sound track changes on the TNT TV versions, I had eagerly awaited a release on DVD by the studio, certain they would release it in its true, original form. I was a Huey door gunner just after Vietnam (shooting at dead tanks at Fort AP Hill makes me a lot less braver than my older brethern getting shot at over the rice patties in Vietnam), and there was nothing that made my hair stand up on the back of my neck like the opening scenes of TOD with "Paint It Black" turned way up high. That one song being taken out is enough for me not to buy the DVD. For me, and like many others who have commented, the music is an integral part of the scenes. The writing and acting was great, but the overall effect just isn't the same when the music is changed. However, I'm not certain I buy into the conspiracy theories being floated about regarding the licensing. Several years ago, while TNT was running TOD every day, one of the TOD web sites reported that the Stones refused to negotiate a licensing agreement, and that was why there was a different opening. Not sure how accurate that is and it seems strange that all the bands associated with the original soundtrack would take the same stand. Regardless, I have all 3 seasons on VHS that I recorded off the TV, and I watch them regularly. They have the commercials, they don't have Paint It Black, and the picture isn't great. But the new DVD has little more than all that, so I'm saving my money. Hopefully sales will be dissapointing to the studio and they will reconsider their strategy.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Did they cut my song? March 21, 2005

By Jim Beaver

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I wrote the episode "USO Down," about the chopperload of USO entertainers shot down in the jungle. When writing the scene where the band says, "Here's the national anthem of Vietnam!" and begins playing "We Gotta Get Outa This Place," I was recalling my own tour of duty with the Marines in Vietnam and having that exact thing occur at a USO show. And I was never more sincere in my writing than when I placed the same song over the helicopter flying away, leaving the boys behind at the end. I haven't seen this DVD, mainly out of fear that those two moments have been ruined by replacement of the song in each case by generic music. How did the studio handle those moments? (Thanks to all who've praised the show here.)

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed fan August 2, 2004

By Alibrarian

Format:DVD

I have been a fan of Tour of Duty since it first appeared and I

was thrilled to see the DVD set available. When I discovered that the original music was removed I was shocked. It is part of the experience that was the original series. I will not purchase something that is only a part of what it was intended to be. I hope the second season is released as it was intended. I would gladly pay for the DVD's (even if they were more expensive) if they appear as originally broadcast.