Product Details

• Actors: Michael Angelis, Michael Brandon, Alec Baldwin, Ringo Starr, George Carlin
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Limited Edition, Live, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
• DVD Release Date: October 14, 2003
• Run Time: 67 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00009VTY0
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,624 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Kids & Family > 3-6 Years > Thomas the Tank Engine

• For more information about "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends - Platinum Collection (Best of Thomas/James/Percy)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Best of Thomas
Thomas fans have spoken and this Best of Thomas represents eight, viewer-selected favorite episodes. An insecure Thomas learns just how much he's valued in "Thomas Gets Bumped" while Percy learns an important lesson about fears and bravery in "Thomas, Percy, and the Dragon." Jealousy threatens to eliminate any chance of friendship between Thomas and Stepney in "Thomas and Stepney" and Thomas comes to embrace diversity in "A New Friend for Thomas." Thomas learns the virtues of hard work and patience in "Thomas Saves the Day," "A Big Day for Thomas," and "Trouble for Thomas." Finally, cooperation and pride culminate in a visit from the queen that Edward, Thomas, and Gordon will never forget in "Thomas Meets the Queen." This entertaining, 46-minute tape concludes with the sing-a-long tune "Really Useful Engine." --Tami Horiuchi
Best of Percy
Children love stories told by engaging storytellers, the winning formula of Thomas and Friends tales about a group of toy trains on the island of Sodor, based on the "Railway Series" by Reverend W. Awdry. This "best of" compilation of favorite Percy episodes was selected by preschool fans from around the world, a loyal bunch who can identify with the spunky and mischievous tank engine bearing a green #6. There are nine short stories here, narrated by George Carlin and Ringo Starr, which focus on a dilemma and end with a gentle moral message. Percy is usually in a predicament because of cheeky behavior, such as in "Percy Takes a Plunge," where he finds himself in a water hole, or worse still, covered in sticky goop in "A Scarf for Percy." And who can forget "Percy's Ghostly Trick" when, after telling some chilling ghost stories, Percy hits a cart of limestone and the dust turns him ghostly white, giving his friends a fright. Though Percy delivers mail, transports children, and helps other engines, he always finds time for practical jokes and ensuing misadventures. There are moments of bravery and bravado, heroism and humiliation tucked between plenty of mishaps. Preschool kids can relate to Percy's predicaments and his earnest desire to be useful and appreciated. They'll walk away with valuable lessons on friendship, resourcefulness and forgiveness. And train fanatics, young and old, will find plenty to enjoy with a bounty of railway terms and realistic train miniatures.
Best of James
A reliable line-up of commemorative stories comprises this notable best-of collection featuring James, the impish red engine famous among Sir Topham's Railway gang. George Carlin narrates the eight lively episodes where James is alternately hero and hellion, and gentle moral messages are sprinkled amid the mishaps. Preschool fans will recognize most of their favorite stories like "James Goes Buzz Buzz," where our namesake transports a mob of angry bees and learns a stinging lesson in the process; or "James and the Fruitful Day," a humorous reminder that humility is a virtue whereas pride can lead an engine down the wrong track. Kids relate to James' predicaments, misplaced bravado, and earnest desire to be useful as they tuck away pint-sized proverbs on kindness, forgiveness, and friendship. (Ages 2 to 7) --Lynn Gibson

Product Description

All-aboard for this terrific box set of pure family fun and excitement as three of your favorite Thomas The Tank Engine DVDs are now in one special gift set. BEST OF THOMAS, BEST OF PERCY and BEST OF JAMES! Best of Thomas: Over the past few years, we have received hundreds of thousands of letters, e-mails, and phone calls from fans who wanted to share with us their favorite Thomas stories. From this loyal support, we were proud to produce this DVD which includes eight of your favorite Thomas adventures and remarkable bonus features that promote learning and fun for everyone! Best of Percy: Known as the Junior Member of the railway with #6 on his side and a spunky personality, Percy has been a faithful friend of Thomas from the beginning. Even loyal Thomas & Friends fans like you have chosen Percy as Thomas' favorite friend. With this DVD we are happy to celebrate all the special characteristics and qualities that Percy brings to the Island of Sodor with nine favorite stories, several special features, and educational fun for everyone! Best of James: Known on the Island of Sodor for his fine scarlet coat and occasional high-falutin' attitude, James has been a fan favorite from the very beginning. Children love his big grin and jovial way - - adults connect with his kind heart and warm disposition. With this DVD we are happy to celebrate James, the very useful, splendid red engine, with eight favorite stories, several special features, and trainloads of educational fun!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars These could have been so much better!, December 15, 2004

By	An Opinionated Reviewer "Lillian" (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

The stories in these DVDs are our favorite classics which is why it gets 3 stars. The problem? Whoever put these together put no thought into them whatsoever! These would have been GREAT if they had put the stories in chronological order. It would have been so easy! Maybe the kids don't notice, but the parents who have to listen/watch repeatedly sure do. For example, the James video has several episodes mentioning James' problem with bootlaces before showing the episode with the bootlaces. Another problem with the James video - they had an excerpt of the James song in between episodes but did not play it at the end. Why wouldn't they play the James song on the James video?

Overall, very disappointing that they did not put a little more effort into these DVDs (this includes the Gordon video which we also have). What a wasted opportunity!

Can you tell I've watched too many Thomas videos???!!!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I'd Question How This List was Made, November 28, 2005

By	Mr. Bey (Riverside, CT United States) - See all my reviews

I know you're always going to find a person who will argue whether or not something is the best but I'm trying to find someone who agrees with the episode list. After the Ringo era was re narrated by George Carlin they decided not to even include the old episodes in the new DVDs. I think if you're going to buy a Thomas DVD these days you should go out and buy the early days set. I individually wrote reviews for each of these DVDs but I'm disappointed by the 5 minutes of useless commercials that come before the DVD. Not only that but sometimes you have to wait 2 minutes to actually play the DVD itself.

Of the three greatest hits sets, the Percy set was easily the best. The Thomas one was alright but the last few on it weren't' very good. I have mixed feelings about the Best of James but I am glad the Best of Gordon was not put on because that set was a disgrace. This set may be good for you if your child is just getting into Thomas but try and find the earlier ones if you can. It's not very easy to find the best Thomas sets but if you can, they are worth it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 3 year old loves these DVDs!, November 15, 2004

By	Mother of preschooler (St. Paul, MN) - See all my reviews

I have to disagree with those who feel that the engines being "cross" with each other is not something they want their children to watch. I too was not sure about the content until my son misbehaved and later apologized for being "cheeky" (a common term used in the DVDs). Although the engines are cross with each other, they always learn a lesson: it's not nice to tease, everyone makes mistakes, the engines are "grounded" when they misbehave, etc. My son loves to watch Thomas, and often acts out the stories with his own train set.