What do you think?
I'm weary about something that's priced so low, though I read a review by someone who thought is was alright. I'll probably pick it up in the next month. It'll be great to see uncut episodes and the pilot.

$40 isn't *that* cheap. It's only three discs. Anyway, I got mine in the mail from Amazon today (only $27.99, although Costco had them for $25). I've yet to watch it, though. I'll let you all know what I think.

Okay, Thanks.
It retails at $34.99 in Canada, which is less than 27 US$. For 37 episodes, I think it's a good deal compared to a lot of sets. Lost in Space and Dick Van Dyke come to mind.

I'll pick it up also later on because 40 is a little sleep for 3 dvds.

They're 2 sided DVDs.

Anyone else glad they have the pilot on it. I am!

They are full frame right?

There's a thread on this topic on the Home Theater Forum and a review on tvshowsondvd.

Every comment I've seen indicates that the A/V is very good. A couple of people have noted that the only wear and tear is on the opening credits (very common malady for older shows; even the Dick Van Dyke 1st season shows have this problem).

I'm still waiting for my e-tailer to ship this. It is backordered which resulted from greater than expected sales (a very good thing).

Although this does list for $40 it can easily be had for $25- $30 if you shop around. This is a very good deal for 37 episodes. For comparison, the Dick Van Dyke seasons costs twice as much, although they do come with more special features.

I think it is safe to say that we'll see Season Two within a year. Having S2 come out will almost guarantee that Season Three will follow.

Think of it, owning the entire run of GI for under $100! Columbia House should be ashamed for gouging customers for $25 per ?VHS tape? that only had 4 episodes each. That's why I don't buy their releases. If you wait long enough you'll get much better quality (DVD vs VHS) and a lot more episodes for a lot less money.

I got it!!


Two-sided discs isnt the best looking thing.
But Im looking at the TV.... not the discart.


This is such a PERFECT show.
Everything about it is timeless.
This is one of the few shows that never jumped the shark.
(and really.... there was no "twist" in the overall storyline that could cause it to jump the shark)

I picked up my copy today at the store. Hopefully there won't be a long wait until the next two seasons come out. I already own the DVD of "Rescue from Gilligan's Island", so I can watch the first episode where they first come to the Island, and then I can watch them get rescued.

I've watched a whole bunch of the episodes and, yes, the A/V is very good. Two sided discs aren't really a problem, and keep the cost down (as compared to Dick Van Dyke Show; that's insane) since it's less DVDs to purchase.

Anyway, yeah, the bonuses are lacking, but hopefully the next two seasons will have more.

Overall, an awesome set and I'm so glad to have it unedited and complete! I'm so glad that sales are good - let's hope for S2 and S3 soon!

I just got my copy today. I'm now on episode Goodnight Sweet Skipper... so I have quite a bit of episodes to go. I'll post more later.

Originally posted by barwars88
I got it!

This is such a PERFECT show.
Everything about it is timeless.
This is one of the few shows that never jumped the shark.
(and really.... there was no "twist" in the overall storyline that could cause it to jump the shark)

Thought you might be interested in this Washington Post article about Gilligan's Island on DVD.


Lolac


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19426-2004Feb6.html

Thanks for the article.


Im just confused as to whether they were saying it DID jump the shark or if it DIDNT??

Originally posted by barwars88
Thanks for the article.


Im just confused as to whether they were saying it DID jump the shark or if it DIDNT??

Actually I thought Tom Shales was quite clear. He's saying the shark was jumped before the series even started.

I'm a bit nervous about the paragraph that said Warners wasn't sure if more seasons were coming. Hopefully that's just because they're not ready to make a formal annoucement. As well as this set is selling I would think S2 is guranteed.

Interesting article, thanks for the link.

I have to disagree with the following statement from the article, though, as it pertains to GI:

"There were no social issues examined, no valuable moral lessons imparted, and there was no shocking edge to make the series a water-cooler classic of immense social significance."

No social issues examined? The whole show was about a "social microcosm" (Sherwood Schwartz's words), with each character representing a different aspect of society. They had to learn to work together in order to survive, a good lesson for the world. No valuable moral lessons imparted? I can think of several episodes that had a moral.

But overall, this wasn't a bad article. I need to order these DVDs--I meant to do it about a month ago, LOL.

Well, I got it yesterday, but I don't have my DVD player at the moment. Anyway, I only paid $33 Canadian, and bought the last one. But I've seen it prominantly displayed elsewhere and I'm sure it will do well. The disks have no picture, which is kind of cheap. Overall, I'd rather pay less for DVD sets than have extras. As long as they're complete.

Just a thought reading the article. Although the show was unfairly cancelled after 3 seasons, we do have about 100 episodes. While I love the show, I can't imagine there being a lot more of Gilligan. It seems there is the right amount to instill a fondness for the show without becoming too tiresome. It worked out perfectly for after-school reruns.

Well, there's no picture on the discs because they're two-sided. And I don't believe that you can have a picture on them and have them still be readable. Personally, I think it's better to pay less for less discs with no picture, than to end up with double the discs with a photo and pay twice as much.

I agree. I'm wondering if this is how they'll release the other two seasons... The digipak is better than a box set of individual releases.. I Love Lucy was terrible with that aspect of the release.

Bring on S2 and S3

I got mine for only $29.99 at Best Buy! I bought it two days ago and haven't got around to watching it yet! Bummer! :( I'll probably put it on tonight, I need this since TV Land doesn't air it anymore! :crazy:

Hmm, I didn't think of that. Double-sided, so no picture. I guess the package looks pretty good then, overall. And to respond to the I Love Lucy point, I hope they market Season 2 at a better price. I think it's important that budget sets like Gilligan:Season 1 sell well.

A special Thanks to everyone that bought the Series One DVD set!!!


We look forward to the reviews!

How about a list or summery of some cut scenes as you review each episode for the board?

Jack

I was an infant when this show aired in 1964, and the local UHF TV stations never broadcast the B & W episodes, so...these are all NEW to me! :)

I think that Warner did a GREAT job with S1. I'll gladly buy the next two sesaons without a doubt.

Has anyone purchased Rescue from GI? I read a review on Amazon.com, and most of the reviews say that the DVD's A/V quality is HORRIBLE. :(

I bought the DVD, I couldn't resist. I looked at the cover and the cover was just staring me back . . . oh, what wonderful memories!
I purchased my copy at Wal-Mart and it cost $32.99. That's a good price.

Everyone has heard of Gilligan's Island since it first set sail in America's living rooms in September 1964. Such fans of the show have been waiting for complete season sets for many, many years. I must say that I, too was thrilled to learn, in September 2003 that Warner-Brothers were planning to release the First Season of Gilligan's Island. One of their promises, I shall never forget: "We assure that fans will be happy with this set." I beg to differ. Below is a comprehensive list of the pros and cons of this DVD set.

Pros:
1. All the episodes are here, in their entire uncut and B&W form, and in the order of original airdate.
2. The rare pilot episode is here, complete with commentary by the creator Sherwood Schwartz.
3. The quality is moderate, although some episodes have a high volume of grain.
4. There is a "play all" for the marathon lovers.
5. Subtitles: In English, French, and Spanish.
6. The price is right.

Cons:
1. Lack of Scene Selections
2. Ridiculous Bonus Features: the pilot with commentary is nice and the trivia is nice, but the rest of the bonus features are stupid. Also, why the tropical tidbits trivia is only on one episode, I will never know. Producers could have put different trivia tracks on at least one episode on each side of the disk.
Another thing is the lack of commentaries by any one of the original castaways. Bob Denver, Dawn Wells, and Russell Johnson could have done a few commentaries on a few of the episodes. Two possible bonus features that should be considered for the remaining two seasons might be the episode where five of the original castaways guest star on Family Feud, and some of the original commercials used to support the show.
3. Lack of good packaging. The slipcase and the package itself seems very flimsy to me. The DVD set does not even come with a booklet that might include actor biographies.

In my opinion, Gilligan's Island fans would have appreciated a better set like those of The Dick Van Dyke Show, even of it meant raising the price to fifty or sixty dollars. Hopefully, producers can do a better job on the second and third season sets. If money restrains the elaborate bonus features, such as actor commentaries, then please, raise the price! It would be better for fans to have to pay ten to twenty dollars more for a set that would have actor commentaries, than it would for a cheap set with weak bonus features. Also, may I suggest releasing "The Castaways on Gilligan's Island" and "The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island" on DVD?

I broke down and bought the set a few weeks ago. I wasn't sure I would like the B&W episodes, but I forgot just how many great episodes there was that first season.

And as far as the price, you get 37 episodes for goodness sakes! That's more than any other show for ANY season. I was very happy at the price considering how many episodes it came with.

As far as how good they are, I have one episode left to watch. One. I can't stop watching them. I'll sit through three, four, maybe five episodes at a time. I forgot just how good those early shows were.

And I realize some people are spoiled by all of the extras that come with the DVD's boxed sets, but frankly, I'm just happy to get commercial-free, uncut, very good quality versions of the shows. And if not having the extras keeps the price down, that's okay by me.

All in all, if you liked GI at all, I think you will like the first season. It is very good.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JWood201
[B]I've watched a whole bunch of the episodes and, yes, the A/V is very good. Two sided discs aren't really a problem, and keep the cost down (as compared to Dick Van Dyke Show; that's insane) since it's less DVDs to purchase.

Anyway, yeah, the bonuses are lacking, but hopefully the next two seasons will have more.

If they don't they won't be much good. Season one had the pilot to make up for the lack of many extra features.

I agree that there should be more bonus features. I think that there should be at least two audio commentaries for the second season set, and a new batch of cast interviews would be nice. Also, why can't they include some of the original commercials and promotional spots? I know that there were many. And another thing that these producers could include would be some of the various reunion over the years, including the time the cast played Family Feud against the Batman cast.

I think it's perfect for the price. I can't complain. Personally I'd rather have no extras if it means paying less. I am quite happy with All in the Family Season 2, for example. 24 episodes and that's it. If they are complete, that's all I need. There's no way I would have bought Gilligan if it was priced like Dick Van Dyke. There are too many alternatives when it comes to entertainment.

There is no alternative to Dick Van Dyke.

Originally posted by algebra74
There is no alternative to Dick Van Dyke.

Amen.

Lolac :wave: