Customer Reviews

The Twilight Zone - 40th Anniversary Gift Set

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I agree that the selection of episodes in the gift pack (as is also true of the regular DVD releases of TZ episodes) represents more of a random sampling than an only-the-best selection. Nonetheless, I'm quite pleased with the overall quality of the included episodes. While segments like "Probe 7--Over and Out" are mediocre at best, the collection still includes classics like "Time Enough at Last", "A Game of Pool" (with terrific performances from Jack Klugman and Jonathan Winters), and "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet." Of the 19 episodes, I find 15 of them to be well worth owning--not a bad ratio. I'm also impressed with the Rod Serling documentary included in this set. Rather than an insipid fluff piece about how wonderful TZ is (which is unfortunately the more common type of "documentary feature" usually included in DVD products), this is a satisfyingly in-depth look at Rod Serling's entire career which aired on PBS as part of the "American Masters" series. A nice bonus.

I do agree that the packaging is sub-par. No liner notes, and all discs are crammed into 2-CD jewel boxes. This is unimpressive for an "anniversary tribute" set. These drawbacks are purely cosmetic, though, and do not detract from my enjoyment of the set.

The transfer is generally well executed, capturing the contrast and detail of the often striking black-and-white cinematography. At its best, TZ is like classic film noir distilled into 24-minute doses. The two episodes originally shot on videotape instead of film for budgetary reasons ("Night of the Meek" and "Long Distance Call") fare less well, but this is to be expected.

So: Overall, a good sampling of episodes with a satisfying bonus documentary. I thoroughly enjoy it.

Rod Serling was a man of great literary and social intellect and integrity. Ahead of his time and somewhat less respected because of the genre he worked within and made him famous, he is now recognized as one of the great pioneers into the realm of sophisticated storytelling combing intellect and emotion. His great vision and realization, "The Twilight Zone" remains a testament of his contribution to the Arts and Humanity. It has been said "Man does not live by bread alone." This 40th Anniversary Gift Set is very representative of "The Twilight Zone" television series. There are 19 episodes included. They are not all classics but they do show the diversity of the series held together by a common theme and I think that is what strengthens this set. The 90 minute feature, "ROD SERLING: Submitted For Your Approval" which I originally viewed on Public Television is also included. It is one of the best biographical documentaries I have ever seen. Of the 19 episodes included there are some truly great titles such as "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," "Kick the Can," "Night of the Meek," "Two," "I Sing the Body Electric" and "Walking Distance" and "The Lonely," both with heartfelt and endearing Bernard Herrmann scores. This is a good way to start collecting "The Twilight Zone" on DVD. These transfers are excellent and truly have to be seen to be appreciated.

If you are a serious collector -- or if you are shopping for a gift for a big fan of this show -- then you really should investigate the "Twilight Zone Collection" box sets.

The entire series is available in a total of 5 sets. This 40th Anniversary Gift Pack is not comprehensive enough for a serious collector. It contains exactly the same material as Vol 1-5 of "Collection 1," which goes beyond that, all the way to Vol 9.

I bought the 40th anniversary set when it was a preorder back in sept 1999,... Being a fan of TZ from my baby boomer youth and watching it with all the family in the den on the old black and white TV has permanent memories. I didn't know that they were starting to produce TZ on DVD until I saw the anniversary edition. Apparently the first five volumes 1-5 have already been produced and were on the market and they were for sale at a higher price. So when the preorder package came out of the first five in the Anniversary set it was quite a deal. Especially for someone who wants to collect them. Plus it gave an extra disc on biography of Rod. Some of these reviews think the anniversary set are not the same as the first five.... Also, As the DVD format improves over time I hope they improve the DVD menu's access to episodes. That's all that is. And now we are down to volume 42, with volume 43 as the last volume not yet released. The price has gone up. But I am anticipating finishing this collection. Even though they might offer the entire set one day at a discount rate it's been great collection as they have been produced. It would be nice to have some kind of syllabus for the entire set of each season and episode pointing to the correct DVD. I have had to do it myself the hard way. A must book for all collectors is " The Twilight Zone Companion" by Marc Scott Zicree .It covers every season and episode.

I cant believe how cheaply they packaged this set. I have a twilight zone collection and each volume is packaged in a classy DVD cover. I was expecting 5 volumes that had the similar package.......WRONG......They have put these DVD's in a cheap plastic CD holder that is a totally different size and look than the rest of the collection. I would rather pay the difference and get the volumes individually. WHAT A CHEAP WAY TO PACKAGE THIS PRODUCT. ESPECIALLY WHEN MOST OF US BUY THEM TO COLLECT. TALK ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT!

The 40th anniversary set is just a collection of episodes when it COULD and SHOULD have had the best picks of the series.Rod Serling always said that his Twilight Zone series was-"one third good,one third average and one third bad",well "Mr Dingle the Strong" is a bad episode,"the Invaders" is a bad episode(with a laughable robot).Only the best should have been picked and,looking at the set,it is obviously just a collection of cds.A very poor effort.

I agree with the other critics because I am collecting all of the volumes on DVD of the Twilight Zone and the gift set does not match the rest of the volumes. It stinks that there are no subtitles or language-switches and the fact that the first 15 volumes have a different start screen than do the rest of the volumes. I am getting rid of the "gift box" set (if you can call it that) and am just going to inverst in the real first 5 volumes.

This set has no special intrinsic value; it is the first half of the TZ Volume 1 DVD Collection, which only goes for seventy bucks at most retail outlets; I say again, don't pay almost one-hundred bucks for 50% of what you can have at under seventy! Additionally, there is noting special about this set; the DVDs aren't even packaged per standard--they're in CD jewl cases, loosly packed in box...

Please give us a proper CD Twilight Collection on the 40 th anniversary of this greatness. How about releasing a collection by beginning with the first episode then next the number two episode and then on.

How about making use of this brilliant idea of mine and stop releasing strange collections of this nature.

Getting five DVD's for this price is good no matter what they are, and if they are Twilight Zone episodes -- you better grab this deal right away! The gift set's contents include a variety of episodes, from sentimental to downright scary, all of which any Twilight Zone fan will enjoy seeing again and again. See the early work of Robert Redford, Charles Bronson, William Shatner and Lee Marvin -- when they were hotties! Rod Serling and the creators were way ahead of their time, and the "making of" documentary proves this. The only problem with the gift set is the strange packaging: you get the DVD's in double-disc cases, thrown into a box that looks like it was designed for more content.