Reviews (8)

My favorite B-17 movie
This has always been my favorite B-17 movie because of one scene, when McQueen buzzes the CO's office with his bomber because he's angry about being sent out on a leaflet drop mission. The rest of the movie is also great but the B-17 scenes are awesome, rivalling that other B-17 classic "12 O'Clock High". If you liked that one, you'll like this one.

There is romance in "The War Lover" but it isn't over done, the movie is still great despite it.

War Lover
Simply stated, this is more than just another McQueen movie. The War Lover offer dynamics that are frequently missing in so-called war/action movies. This movie is ideal for men who love action and the believable drama of the airwar over Europe - in this case the role of the pilot of your father's B17 Flying Fortress. Hollywood would be wise to create a rerun of this great flick.

Highly recommended.

Early Michael Crawford
Every Mc fan should have this one. You could see, even then, that he's a natural.

McQueen makes the "The War Lover" an excellent film.
Steve McQueen's ability to heighten a character's reality makes "The War Lover" and enjoyable film. The war scenes with the B17's adds to the excitement and value of this movie. By the way this movie is available at America's largest retailer for [price] plus shipping.

McQUEEN RISES ABOVE MATERIAL
"The War Lover" is another war film with a love triangle at its center. This time Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner and Shirley Ann Field are the lovers caught in the web. However, McQueen's unique style and the excellent aerial photography of the B 17s on their bombing runs are this film's greatest assets and make it a must for lovers of this genre. This is a British film and it looks and feels like it, which only adds to the authenticity. Highly underrated and forgotten these days. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

John-Boy follows the writer's dictum to write what you know
"The Triangle" (Episode #40, December 20, 1973) finds John-Boy (Richard Thomas) has written an essay about someone who inspires him. Miss Hunter (Mariclaire Costello) likes the essay so much that she encourages him to rewrite it and send it into a competition. As John-Boy works on perfecting the essay, he spends as much time as possible with Miss Hunter, so she can help him. However, she becomes distracted when Reverend Fordwick (John Ritter) asks permission to start courting her. Consequently, she fails to realize what is obvious from the start: John-Boy is not writing about some "Aunt," he is writing about her. Jealous of the other two (the title is perfectly clear now, right?) John-Boy no longer wants to work on the essay. There is a parallel sub-plot in this episode as Ben is being bullied by some of the local boys. When Naomi, the girl Ben is interested in, goes off with one of the other boys, Ben decides to send away for bodybuilding lessons. This episode will hit home for anyone who remembers having a crush on their teacher, which, should be a whole lot of people. Written by Lionel E. Siegl, this episode was directed by Lee Philips. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

John-Boy and Mary Ellen face a couple of hard choices
"The Hunt" (Episode #4, October 5, 1972) John-Boy (Richard Thomas) is about to go on his first turkey hunt. But while he wants to prove he is a grown up who can help put food on the table for the Walton clan, he is uneasy about having to kill a living creature. Meanwhile, in a parallel sub-plot about hard choices, Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) has been saving her money to buy a catcher's mitt to play catch with her good buddy, G.W. Haines (David Doremus). However, G.W. is suddenly interested in boys and Mary Ellen starts thinking maybe she should use her money to buy a dress instead. What makes this episode, written by John McGreevey, of some interest is that both John-Boy and Mary Ellen make their decisions and then have to learn to live with them. In both cases, there are some interesting twists. Actually, the Mary Ellen plot line is a bit more interesting but only because the one with John-Boy is a bit predictable. We all know he is not going to shoot the turkey and we all know that just because he is sensitive does not mean he is weak. Not a classic episode of "The Waltons," but certainly an interesting episode.

facing your fears
the hardest thing that jason had to do was facing his fears and anguish over losing your best friend who was dying. It showed that you don't always have to be pushed into doing the right thing. This movie shows that the Walton family were trying to do the right thing for everyone involved and needn't have to push or prod the young people to do so. It was heartbreaking to hear Jason play the instrument that his friend Seth made for him.
This was a warm and teary movie that i think everyone should see if they have someone they love that is sick or dying. It tells you that you don't have to find the right words for every moment in your life.

Courage for a boy to openely admit his reluctance to kill
I was very impressed with Richard Thomas' acting in this video. It was so believable. A 16 year old boy today would scarcely admit to such feelings as 'John boy' felt over killing an animal. Everyone is an individual and he just wasnt ready yet to be the big provider of meat for the family. After all, he had his father and grandfather on the hunt with him still as the providers. It took immeasurable courage to admit to being afraid and doubtful of shooting the turkey to his father. He risked ridicule and being made to feel shame and like less of a man all for having his very own view and feelings. I loved the way his father still loved him and was proud of him even though he probably would have rather his son had got a turkey that day.

Other episodes have been better!
We are huge fans of The Waltons and have watched practically the whole series on TV. We thought that this episode was one of the worst ones, and not at all as good as some of the other ones. We thought that it showed cowardly acts instead of courage. It isn't that big of a deal to kill an animal to eat for Thanksgiving dinner, and we thought John-Boy went a little overboard with his beliefs about killing. However, we liked the other parts of this episode, and the rest of the series a whole lot!!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

30 years later I still ache inside from this episode
When I was growing up, there were a few shows that made a big impact on me, the kind of life-altering impact that helped make me who I am today.

One such show was "Time Enough at Last," the classic Twlight Zone episode with Burgess Meredith as a voracious reader who winds up to be the last man on earth. That ending still gives me the chills.

Another show was "All That Glitters," an episode of Lost in Space that tugged a bit at my heartstrings.

Other shows, not available on any format, include The Sixth Sense starring Gary Collins as a parapsychologist. Some scenes from that show still scare the willies out of me to remember them. (I wish someone would release those episodes on VHS or, better yet, DVD!) I also loved Kolchak: The Night Stalker.

Then there was The Waltons, a show seemingly perfect for someone who's more a feeler than a thinker.

This episode of the Waltons ("Love Story") touched my heart like very few shows ever did. Or ever could. Maybe "touched" isn't the right word. Maybe ripped it out of my chest, beating and bleeding is closer to the truth. In fact, nearly 30 years after I first saw "Love Story," I can still feel the pain inside from watching John-Boy fight back the tears when Jenny Pendleton tells him she has to go away -- and that after they promised each other they'd marry and settle down together.

My gosh, does this episode hurt me emotionally. It's almost too painful to watch.

I know because I bought this video recently and watched it. Sure enough, the tears fell like rain at the end. Especially listening to John-Boy sing in that plaintive voice of his some love song accompanied by a zither.

TV never had a more emotional moment, in my opinion. And I have yet to see any medium capture what lost love and shattered dreams actually FEELS like the way this episode does.

If you like that sort of thing, this is the video to watch.

John-Boy Walton falls in love with Jenny Pendleton
"The Love Story" was the episode of "The Waltons" where Jenny Pendleton, played by Sian Barbara Allen, showed up on Walton's Mountain and forever won John-Boy Walton's heart. He discovers that young Jenny has run away from her home in Richmond and has been staying at the old Pendleton place on Walton's Mountain. Her father has recently remarried and he is too busy with his new bride to pay her much attention, and so she has returned to live on the Mountain for a while. The Waltons take Jenny into their home and she gets to see what it is like to live in the warmth of a large, loving family. Jenny's father and stepmother show up and decide to stay awhile at the old place, providing a chance for them to bond. But Jenny and John-Boy are too busy falling in love for that to happen. However, by turning her back on what she said she wanted, Jenny has tempted the Fates and they exact a high price. "Love Story" is one of the classic episodes of "The Waltons," pretty much of everyone's Top 10 list. This episode, which originally aired January 18, 1973, received Emmy nominations for Earl Hamner, Jr.'s writing and Lee Philip's direction. The character of Jenny appeared the following season in "The Thanksgiving Story" and Allen received a Golden Globe nomination for most promising actress in 1973. Of course, some time between now and then that particular award was retired. I think after Pia Zadora won it, if I am not mistaken, although I imply no causality. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The First Season is Coming Out On DVD!
The Waltons is one of my favorite one hour dramatic shows from the 70s and this episode in which a young boy is dying of cancer is one of the best and saddest episodes. The boy is played by Ron Howard from The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days and I thought he did a great job. It's good that this episode is on video but I just found out that the first season of The Waltons is coming out on DVD and personally complete seasons on DVD is what I would go for!

Jason comes to terms with the death of his friend Seth
In "The Gift," Jason Walton (Jon Walmsley) has to come to terms with the fatal illness of his best friend, Seth Turner (guest star Ron Howard). Seth's dream has always been to play in the band of his father, Red Turner (Ken Swofford). While his father is off on the road, Seth and Jason go up on the mountain to find some wood to make a recorder. When Seth collapses they learn that he has leukemia and has a year to live. Surprisingly, Jason has a hard time accepting Seth's illness and refuses to talk to his friend. Seth's mother wants to protect him as long as she can to keep him alive. But when Seth's father returns, he decides the best thing he can do for his son is to make what time he has left the best possible and decides to take Seth on his next tour. Seth completes the recorder and arranges for it to be delivered to Jason, but it is Grandpa and not John-Boy who delivers the gift and opens Jason's eyes to what is going on. I admit I have a slight problem with this episode because I find it hard to believe that Jason could continue to be so insensitive after the initial shock wears off. Otherwise, this would have been a first-rate episode about how we deal with the inevitability of death that comes not as a sudden surprise, but as a slowly approaching but inevitable moment of grief and pain. Howard's performance is excellent and serves as a nice reminder that he was always a decent actor before he became a first rate director. Written by Carol Eva McKeand with a script by Ray Goldup and Jack Hanrahan, "The Gift" first aired on January 24, 1974. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

John-Boy has vision problems after an accident
As Thanksgiving approaches John-Boy is excited because his girl friend Jenny is returning to Walton's Mountain and he has been accepted by Boatwright University to sit for their scholarship exam, which would allow him to go to college. However, after an accident at the sawmill he begins having vision problems. When he takes the exam he can barely see and is unable to finish. Only then does he go to the doctor, who discovers John-Boy needs major surgery to relieve the pressure building on his optic nerves which provides the requisite crisis to weather before it is time to sit down to the turkey dinner. Meanwhile, in what amounts to a comic subplot, Jason agrees to work for the Baldwin sisters only to discover they want his help in making a batch of the family recipe. Jason is horrified his mother will find out, but things get much worse than that when the Baldwin sisters decide to adopt him and go to make an offer to John and Olivia. The latter is not particularly thankful to find out her son is making bootleg whiskey (the ladies want to send some to President Roosevelt with his Thanksgiving present). This episode originally aired on November 15, 1973. Writer Joanne Lee won an Emmy for best script for "A Thanksgiving Story," while director Philip Leacock was nominated in his field as well. This is an excellent episode and quite representative of the strength of "The Waltons" as a domestic drama. The crisis with John-Boy is a bit contrived, but there is an earnestness to the characters and the stories that overcomes any serious objections. There are not many decent movies or television episodes you can readily associate with Thanksgiving, but "A Thanksgiving Story" would have to be on the short list.

RESPECT, CARING, LOVING.
the waltons is a wonderful movie it will teach your child good manners, respect, carring. and what youll get in return if you have good manners if you are carring(etc.). I suggest this movie too people of all ages.

Watch it!
this movie is appropriete for all ages its wonder ful movie to watch if your child has trouble with behavior. the waltons are loving, caring, respectful, and full of manners. it will show your child why you should behave that way and show them how people will act towards you in return. It's also a lesson on some history and it will show you how life ismade good and how we should behave. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Pilot--Wish there had been more.
It's been a long time since I've seen this movie, but the delight I experienced has not dissipated.

Baffled is a light murder mystery, with touches of the paranormal. When Tom Kovak, a race car driver (Leonard Nimoy) starts seeing visions, he is driven to a psychologist (Susan Hampshire), to deal with the trauma. Eventually these visions help them save someone from dying.

The chemistry between Nimoy and Hampshire is good, and the movie rapidly moves along.

It was meant to be a pilot movie to a television show, but it never was made into a series. "Tom Kovak, Psychic Detective" would have made a corny, but appropriate title.

It's a pity this film is not on video at this time. I'm a big fan of Leonard Nimoy, but more than that, this film is a good example of a dry British mystery. It kept me in suspense, the location was beautiful, and the dialogue was crisp. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great acting with a qwirky twist
I came across this movie on the "late late late" show in about 1984. Do you remember the plight of the American farmer in the early 1980's?

Ralph Waite from the Waltons played the lead as a father and farmer who had lost his farm to big business. The family heads to Florida to rebuild their lives because they have heard rumors of how prosperous life is growing fruit in the orange belt.

Once they arrive the family is forced into working as fruit pickers for pennies just to survive. They live through hell as they end up working as slave laborers, (unknown to them until payday of course where they find they owe their employer more than they earned during the week.) The longer they stay the worse things get and it becomes impossible to leave.

One of my most memorable features of this movie is the line "I's the cook, I gets 2 bottles of wine, I don't pick no 'maters and cukes no more, I's the cook."

This is a very good movie, with great actors. You will find yourself routing for the family in short time. I experienced anger, sadness, joy and tension during this show. A very good movie!

I highly reccomend it! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Shattered Silence
I saw this movie for the first time the other nite-it sure kept me in suspense. My eyes were glued to the tv till the end. I thought it was a very good movie and have even watched it couple times since.

This was a great old movie!
I was in this film and played Michael Douglas's neice. He was great to work with (although it was a long time ago). I would like to get a copy of this film to show my children.
Sincerely, Karen Pearson

Re-titled "When Michael Calls..." still packs a punch!
"Shattered Silence" was originally a 1972 ABC Movie-of-the-Week (that's what TV movies used to be called) titled "When Michael Calls...". First let me clear something up: Elizabeth Ashley plays Michael's *aunt*, not his mother. Michael's mother was put into a mental institution and wound up committing suicide 15 years ago. Distraught, Michael ran away from the home of his Aunt Helen (where he and his brother had been sent to live) and wound up perishing in a blizzard. Or did he?

Now "Auntie-my-Helen" (Michael's special name for her) is calling her up and begging for a ride home, because "it's awful cold where I am." Michael's creepily sinister little-boy voice sounds like Freddy the Flute (from HR Pufnstuf) and you'll feel chills go up your spine when during a middle-of-the-night call to his aunt he begins wailing, "Auntie-my-Helen, I'm dead, aren't I? I'm dead, I'm dead!"

Now Helen's got to figure out if someone is playing a joke on her or wants to do her real harm...or is it possible that Michael could somehow still be alive? Lots of twists and turns in the plot, and truly chilling moments distinguish this excellent example of the made-for-TV thriller genre. Why can't they make movies for TV like this any more?

The only reason I'm giving this four stars rather than five is that the print itself is pretty awful...the film is scratched and murky, and the sound isn't so hot, either. Still, what can you expect from a 30 year old telefilm? It's not like AFI is going to be spending a lot of money to restore TV movies, even though they are a part of our pop culture heritage.

best horror film ever
I saw this film as a 10 year old and it scared the heck out of me The suspence is awesome and chilling! I feel this is a must see halloween film and wish the net works would schedule it. Anyone who considers themself a horror movie buff needs to see this totally terrifying film!

Chilling!
This movie gave me the creeps when I first saw it as a child (under the title "When Michael Calls"), and still manages to make me shudder! The phone calls from Michael, presumed dead, really make the hair stand up on your neck - just the voice is enough to make you want to hang up and take the phone off the hook! Lots of suspence and atmosphere - the Halloween carnival scene is horrifying! A great thriller! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Charming and evocative of Egypt & Britain in the 20's.
In the same vein of quality as famous Agatha Christie films of the 80's (Death on the Nile and Death in Mesopotamia), this film helps you lose yourself in the glamorous atmosphere of North Africa in the 20's.

The excellent cast of first-rate British (Wendy Hiller) and American (Eva Marie Saint) movie stars, combined with actual footage from the Valley of the Kings, the Temples at Luxor and dusty markets on the pper Nile, builds an atmosphere at once authentic and glamorous.

Most importantly, you feel the excitement and uncertainty of Carter's explorations. One of the great moments in the film occurs in the dusty cave when Carter takes an axe to the outer wall of what he hopes is King Tut's tomb.

The real drama in this movie is in experiencing these discoveries as if for the first time. The so-called curse is not a front-burner sub-plot, and is actually handled with a sense of mystery, rather than the gore and overtness of some other "Curse of the Mummy" movies of more recent times.

A more interesting sub-plot revolves around Eva Marie Saint's character -- playing a thoughtful and sly journalist -- which shows how King Tut's disinterrment gripped the imagination of the entire English-speaking world of the era.

Sure the artefacts aren't the real thing, but then the same can be said of any Cecil B. DeMille production, of Ben-Hur, of the latest "Mummy" versions I and II. What is real here is the quality of the cinematography, screenplay (very spirited and witty), and the atmosphere, which perfectly captures the glamor-mixed-with-exploration chic of 1920's Britain and Egypt.

If you like anything done by the BBC (that is to say, historically accurate, with interesting dialogue and characterizations and not just break-neck speed & plot-driven rapid fire special effects), you will love this gem.

Not to mention that, for many of us now, this movie may be one of our few opportunities to view the Valley of the Kings, the temples of Luxor and the Upper Nile near Aswan, in relative safety.

The Curse of King Tut
I foung the book to be totally facinating, though I also found it lacking some of the historical facts. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A decade of the waltons
I would love to see the entire series of The Waltons released on DVD. I have been searching for this for a long time. Hopefully with all the fans out there it will become a reality.

Waltons
How can I received the entire TV series from start to finish.

Comfort Show
I have several VHS of The Waltons, but I would like to have dvd's of each year. I just received the tv show 24 for the complete year and I would be forever grateful for The Walton's. My favorite all time tv show.

i need dvd
Im working in China but from the states and I need DVD and I want tapes of the entire episodes. My daughter who is 5 now would love this show!

Waltons
It is too bad there isn't a video or even a dvd pal version so we in Europe could buy it too because I believe the Waltons have fans all over the globe.

Wouldn't this be a great suggestion??? It would make more people very happy I am sure! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This dramatization of a true story deals with one of the most troubling episodes in early American history, the "witch hysteria" that convulsed the village of Salem, Massachusetts, in the 1690s. Noted actress Vanessa Redgrave plays Sarah Cloyce, who years later, is seeking to clear the names of her sisters who were executed as witches.The historical basis for this drama is the fact that early in the 1700s the colonial government offered to pay reparations to the survivors of those who had been killed, but only if their relatives could somehow prove that the deceased were not in fact witches.Redgrave's character, in telling the story of her sisters' tragedy, shows the difficulties face by the accused, who really had no way to defend themselves against accusations that were, by definition, supernatural.Using actual transcripts of some of the trials as the basis for the dialogue, the production sacrifices some dramatic flair while striving to remain historically accurate, yet seeing how the peculiar madness of the witch hunt developed over time remains fascinating.Redgrave's performance, as might be expected, stands out, and she does a fine job of portraying how literally earthly concerns--paltry disputes over land ownership--eventually snowballed into a frenzy that saw 20 people executed and scores of others jailed on suspicion of witchcraft.--Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Sad but amazing account of the Salem Witch Trials
I just returned from a mini vacation to Salem Mass. While visiting the Rebecca Nurse Homestead (my great great..... grandmother) I picked up "Three Sovereigns for Sarah" in the gift shop. Much of the movie was filmed at the Nurse homestead, and I found the movie to be very informative and an excellent account of the Salem Witch Trials. The accuracy of this movie moves you to take pity on the accused and scorn their accusers as it tells the complete story of this tragic event in our history.

The Story of My Ancestors
Imagine my delight upon finding this movie that details the experiences that my very own 7X Great Grandmother, Sarah Towne Bridges Cloyce experienced during those very dark and troubling times in Salem, Massachusetts. She very narrowly escaped with her own life after being falsely accused of witchcraft but unfortunately had no recourse to save her two sisters, my 7X Great Grandaunts, Rebecca Nurse and Mary Easty. Hearing some of the words actually spoken by my own ancestors makes their lives and the history I have been compiling about my genealogy so much more real. The best part is having such celebrated and distinguished actresses recreate the lives and times that my ancestors endured during that fateful year of 1692. My daughter, who is not genealogy-oriented, raved about this movie in two separate phone calls to me and has now become appreciative of her family history. I very highly recommend this movie as one of the best of the Salem Witch Trials.

MUST SEE MOVIE
True Story: Three Sovereigns for Sarah is a great movie that keeps you intrigued and horrified about the Salem Witch Trials. It's told in a way that helps the viewer to understand what the accused went through. I am a teacher and show it to my high schoolers when we study the Salem Witch trials. They love it!!! They like it much better than The Crucible, which is good but not accurate.

3 Sovereigns for Sarah, PART 5!!
Favorite movie ever. Wondering if penguins can fly, beating yourself when you know you're going to[end your life]. Sarah, Sarah, Sovereign Sarah. Sarah, Sarah, nun on the run. 3 Sovereigns For sarah, part 5!!

An intense historically accurate tale of madness...
Hey. I'm Win Harrison, but my middle name is 'Towne', named after the Towne sisters of the Salem Witch Trials. My great (great great...) grandmother was Rebecca Towne Nurse. The oldest one of my 3 great great aunts the Towne Sisters. All 3 were accused, only one survived. The survivor, Sarah Towne's story - 'Three Sovereigns for Sarah' - tells the story with horrifying accuracy. Ignorance, jealousy, land ownership - every soul should see it to understand what hatred can do...

There are flaws in this Public Television film. Much of the soundtrack is over the top and more fitting to a Hammer Horror production (though I suppose the material is fitting). The print is so-so, with cheap set-design and cheap lighting duking it out the way only early '80s PBS work could. It is interesting that the '80s was absolutely the worst decade for child performers. This movie proves it - most of the kids in this movie are pretty awful (never as fine as the best moments in 'The Crucible'). But as shaky as the film starts, you can't help but be caught in the hysteria. Most dialogue is in historical record, and this is a worthy film. Highly recommended... ... Read more

Reviews (6)

and as for the queen/princess?
Hey, I have a question - how come none of these videos feature the Draconians, and that Draconian princess/queen, who was so spoiled and bratty and wore little more than dental floss, and whose ultimate goal I suspect was not to perpetrate evil but just to find some way to get Buck's attention focused on her? I mean, wow, why don't any of the videos feature one of the epsiodes where she was a focus? And remember her bodyguards, Tiger-man and later Panther-man? I think that was it. As I recall, one of them messed up or helped the good guys once and so was replaced by the other posthumously. My whole point is I couldn't figure out, even in my pre-teen youth, why Buck would even think about straight-arrow Wilma Deering when he had the princess fawning all over him at every chance! I mean, she was so bad it was GOOD, and Buck always seemed to handle her with maturity and wisdom(and not libido, amazingly. Now that's stamina!). What a spoiled brat, I personally just thought she was incredibly sexy, even before I knew what the term meant. Would anyone else agree? Hooray for the sexy Draconian queen! Wilma was always like the Mary-anne of the show, too girl-next-door for my tastes. The princess was definitely more of a Ginger than a Mary-anne. Buck should have wised-up when he had the chance. Such a tryst couldn't possibly have lasted, but it certainly would have made for an interesting couple of episodes.....
What do you think, is it possible that the studios did not want to release a video with her featured in it because of her racy wardrobe? Or is my memory simply dulled by time, so that I can only remember her evil thin smile and not how bad of an actress she may have been. Another thing, I thought the Draconian ships looked pretty cool, they were the design antithesis to Buck's white, clean spaceships. Wouldn't those in charge of reissuing these shows want to show off their special effects work like that? That goes double for Hawk and his ship, which were a significant part of the later series, but only appeared in 1 video so far,I think. AND WHEN DO I GET A DVD? I mean, we finally got Space 1999 in its entirety, and now the Hulk; I think there's room for Buck Rogers on the shelf and I know I would sure buy some of them. And what about Brisco County, Jr, from the 90's, with Bruce Campbell? Those were good, too!

It's About Time for this Video!
Buck is entrusted with a box,but he does not know who-or where=to take it.The box holds time,and it enables several crew members of the Searcher to see into the future or past.The ending will touch your heart.It is interestin to get background info on sone characters,especially Hawk.I love seeing Wilma Deering looking more feminine than she does in any other episode.If You're a Buck Rogers fan,this video is worth YOUR time!

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what is the show about?
All of Buck Rogers shows are the best science fiction shows. I just want to be able to look on the internet and be able to read what each show is all about. then give say what ever you want about the show. The show has alot of special effects, excitment, action, and adventure. Anybody who likes science fiction will love this show. Go for it, watch it. Tonya Lantz

We miss you Buck!
If you are looking for just a couple of Buck Rogers videos for your collection, this is certainly one to consider. It was one of the best. I also highly recommend the Buck Rogers In The 25th Century pilot movie. Gil Gerard was absolutely awesome - and clever, witty, handsome, fun and charismatic as Buck Rogers. Buck Rogers was overlooked as a television show and Gil Gerard was overlooked as an actor in later years. The man was incredible. His co-stars were also admirable. And, for fans of the daytime drama, "One Life to Live," you will recognize the character of Buck Roger's Hawk, portrayed by Thom Christopher, as One Life to Live's Carlo Hesser. If you were a Buck Rogers fan, this is one of the videos to get. If you are a true Gil Gerard fan and loved Buck Rogers, get all of the videos while you can. Gil Gerard is missed; and so are shows like Buck Rogers. You can't try to take shows like this too seriously. They were meant to be fun and entertaining and Gil Gerard and cast give us exactly that - entertainment!

THE MOVIE WAS A GREAT BLAST FROM THE PAST
I REALY ENJOYED SEEING THIS SHOW AGAIN. i HAD BEEN SERCHING FOR IT FOR YEARS. I ALSO HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHO THE COSTUME DEIGNER IS. IF ANY ONE HAS ANY LEADS ON THOM CHRISTOPHER'S COSTUME,PLEASE LET ME IN. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

On my October 31st list of videos to watch
Buck Rogers has always been about lasers and high tech up to this point, and then everything changed(for the better). Yeah the lasers and high tech are still there(that's mandantory Buck) but the mystical becomes a part of these later series(80-81 I am guessing). Much like Dr. Who at this time period, Buck Rogers, an otherwise lighthearted show of a wise cracking Space Cowboy, becomes a hybrid of funny and downright grave. This takes place on into the Hawk series(which is not availibe except for the Guardian) This Vampire sci-fi thriller is the best of Buck, I think. It shows you can make a scary set with modern settings as a darkened spaceship corridor. The soundtrack and camera angles(even in computer rooms) was downright creepy. Wilma's(Erin Grey) personality was quite a bit different from her usual matter-of-fact self.(nice outfit)
I grew up with this show and the hybrid sci-fi/fantasy time period of other serials. And that is why I think both are important in one story. You won't find that now(or if you do it's not as well plotted or believable). The comic relief was a relief from the spookiness and seriousness of this story.(and women dressed better heh!)

The Best (?) Vampire Flick Ever!!
Alright, maybe not. But like one of the other commentators, I was scared stiff the first time I watched it, curled up beside my dad on the couch. Until I purchased this tape last year, the only memory I had was of Wilma (Erin Gray) tilting her head back as the Vorvon (vampire) drained her essence. Throughout my childhood, teenage years, college and even now, when I think of a scary vampire, I imagine some guy with long fingernails sticking them against my neck.

So the sets are ridiculously fake. The vampire's evil laugh is actually rather laughable. And Buck's saving the day is somewhat overdone. But this has what it takes! Wilma's a sizzling vampiress, and steals the show. [But then, didn't her bare midriff always steal the show when we were growing up, much like Daisy Duke?]

It probably won't scare you today. But it's definitely a great episode to take you back in time. Enjoy!!

Space Vampire - Why Not?
I remember the day with startling clarity - January 3, 1980...the day I became a man.Okay, a little history for you sci-fi afficionados:Before there was Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, or Star Trek: Fill-in-the-Blank...there was Buck Rogers.'Buck Rogers', and it's sister show - the superior 'Battlestar Galactica' - were the only thing going for science fiction on television in 1979 and 1980. I was just a boy, a wee lad, still in my jammies, and I loved science fiction with a vengeance. Even at 11 years of age, I knew that 'Buck Rogers' was sub-par sci-fi...but it had one thing going for it that no other science fiction series of it's time had...It had Erin Gray.The three things that best defined 'Buck Rogers' as a series - and of my oncoming momentum into puberty - were:1) Erin Gray2) Spandex3) Erin GrayFrankly, the rest of the show - the Starfighters, the laser blasts, the re-used spaceship models from 'Galactica', Gary Coleman...you could have shoved them all into a nuclear reaction and STILL the only thing that would have mattered would have been Erin Gray.Yep, I was hooked.Which brings us to January 3, 1980 - the day 'Space Vampire' premiered.Okay, it was not that good - but Erin Gray gets turned into a Vorvon (i.e. Vampire) and goes all sultry...and my little life was changed forever.Trust me. Rent it, buy it, or tape it. You'll understand.

Entertaining by default
I found this one of the weaker episodes. This one still featured the goodies you come to expect from"Buck",Wilma Deering and her jump suit, Gil Gerard creakily completing martial arts moves,thatlittle robot guy and the contrasting of 25th century Earth with 20th Century Earth. But there was no atomosphere. Vampire stories demand a certain amount of gloom and creepiness, thats one thing that makes them fun and its also the one thing this episode lacks. At least the set lights could have been dimmed. Any Buck is good Buck, but this one disappointed me a little because I expected better.

Buck Roger's space vampire
Space vampire was one of the better "Buck" episodes, along with "vegas in space" ect. as alway's Erin Grey made the episode work of course. when the vamp was "speaking thru Her" it was chilling Of course back then I was 15-16 yr's old. The Buck Roger's episodes brought in many special effect's to broadcast t.v.. of course disco was the flavor of the day then also. alway's a sci-fi fan since 8-9 I enjoyed buck roger's along with my library of perhaps 2000 paper-back book's (sci-fi) I had read by that time Space Vampire is a very good Buck roger's episode to keep and enjoy again and again.... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Guest Star Sissy Spacek wants to marry John-Boy
Sissy Spacek guest stars as Sarah Simmonds in the "The Townie" (Episode#23, March 8, 1973). In a story line somewhat reminiscent of Spacek's Oscar nominated role in "Carrie," Sarah is a neighborhood girl being raised by a very religious mother (Allyn McLerie). Because she is good friends with John-Boy (Richard Thomas), Sarah decides that marrying him would be a good way of getting away from her repressive mother. However, John-Boy dismisses Sarah's ideas and becoming more desperate to gain some freedom she takes up with Theodore Albert Claypool, Jr., the son of a wealthy businessman and therefore a "Townie." The boy suffers from his own problems with his father and he decides to elope with Sarah, stealing some cash and the car from his father. When Sarah's mother and Theodore's father accuse John-Boy of setting up this entire fiasco, he goes off to stop the two crazy kids from getting married. What I especially like about this episode, written by Richard Fielder, is how it basically goes outside the Walton family to tell the story. The writers have that giant brood to write for and they are not afraid to tell a story about one of the neighbors. Certainly "Townie" was not going to work if it had been written about Mary Ellen. Besides, watching the young Spacek in a rare television performance is the real treat of this one. Sarah and her mother would briefly appear again in an episode later that first season where John-Boy gets to delivery her baby (which probably tells you that the ending of this episode is NOT what you expect, another point in its favor). ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Birthdays Should Never be this Exciting!
For those of you who are not acquainted with the Buck Rogers series, here's a short rundown. In 1987, NASA launched the last deep space probe, captained by William "Buck" Rogers (Gil Gerard). In a "freak mishap," the ship is blown off its trajectory into an orbit that freezes the life support systems, and returns him to Earth 500 years later. The series takes Buck, along with the gorgeous Col. Wilma Deering (Erin Gray) and friends on many interesting adventures throughout space. Younger sci-fi fans may be disappointed with the special effects and simple story lines. However, for those of us who grew up in the 80s, they can still be as exciting and fun as they were when we were kids.

In this episode, Buck's been feeling a little depressed as his 534th birthday approaches. Everything's perfect, nothing ever changes in the future, and he really misses his past life. To get him out of his funk, Wilma and Dr. Huer (Tim O'Connor) decide to throw Buck a surprise party. The surprise is almost on them, however, when the psycho Col. Traeger arrives and attempts to kill Dr. Huer out of a warped sense of revenge.

A Great Episode
This is a really great episode.I really like the interplay between Buck And Wilma. Not to mention what a delight Mel Blanc is as the voice of Twiki. Buy this you'll will really enjoy it. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Christmas for two young blitz refugees on Walton's Mountain
"The Children's Carol" was a two-hour episode of "The Waltons" that originally aired on December 5, 1977. As Christmas approaches, Tess (Sally Boyden) and Pip Wrayburn (Jeff Cotler), a pair of young children who are refugees from the London blitz, come to stay with the Baldwin sisters, Mamie (Helen Kleeb) and Emily (Mary Jackson). Everyone on Walton's Mountain tries to make Tess and Pip feel welcomed, but the pair are strangely aloof. Even Olivia (Michael Learned) does not know what to do about them. Meanwhile, Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) leaves home with the baby to be closer to her doctor husband, Curtis. Even though everyone is hoping for a traditional, old fashioned Christmas, it is the short-wave radio owned by Ben (Eric Scott) that manages to bring the sense of family home for the Wrayburn children. "The Children's Carol" was written by John McGreevey and directed by Lawrence Dobkin, and is a fitting companion piece to the show's other yuletime movie, "The Homecoming." The first film dealt more with the family during the Great Depression, while "The Children's Carol" finds the war in Europe touching them on Walton's Mountain. As with all of the best episodes of this domestic drama, the story is an intimate tale where faith and family provide the best of solutions to life's problems.

I thought this was a very good episode.
I enjoy watching all of the Waltons. This episode shows how war effects the children. The Waltons of course are always ready to help if possible. Ben got his two way radio to contact Germany. The orphans got to talk to their mom and they learned that their father was killed. It was very touching. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Oldies but Gookies
Two Gun-runners named Corliss and Trent recover a freighter carrying 20th century nerve gas.The two have long seought revenge on Colonel Deerin.They plan to destroy earth with the bombs.Earht turns to Noah Cooper(played by Peter Graves!),leader of earth's last space marine bomber squadron,for help.Can Noah and hIis spuadron save earth?To find out buy the video!I like this video because it shown being old or handicapped can't stop you from doing great things!

Silly shenanigans in a 20th century wasteland
Like popular music, television just gets worse and worse as time goes on and viewers crave more and more immediate gratification, as political correctness becomes more entrenched, and as the medium strives to conform to the tastes of youthful viewers, in particular, who become cruder and cruder with each new generation.

The TV show, "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century", based on the old movie serial, has the saving grace of being over 20 years old, which means that, by definition, it can't be as bad as the pap that the networks circulate today. It's as dumb and as formulaic as any other show, but at least, it's clean and fairly harmless.

And it has one other redeeming feature, which is the only reason why I bought this video. And that, of course, would be Erin Grey (as Colonel Wilma Deering) exhibiting her cute blondness in tight space outfits. And even THAT redeeming feature was diminished during the second season when she unaccountably became a brunette.

"Return of the Fighting 69th" is a first season episode, however, and interestingly enough, the scene which requires Erin to disguise herself in a unisex patrol outfit, with helmet, doesn't defuse her sensuality nearly as much as dark hair would later. She provides considerably more thrills than the story does.

As for the "plot" and the actors/characters in this episode, they have been adequately described by others and there's no need for me to dwell on them. No 12 year old devotee of Saturday morning cartoons could fail to appreciate them, and Gil Gerard, in the title role, has all the dramatic presence of Venusian cloud cover, sort of a space-wrecked Robert Urich. Actually, that's unfair to Urich. Compared to Gerard, Urich appears to have as much flair and color as Cesar Romero playing the Joker.

The bad guys, played by Robert Quarry and Elizabeth Allen, are a lot more passionate, a lot more real, and a lot more genuinely motivated than the good guys, and if you're actually paying attention to the plot, you should be rooting for them - for all the good it will do.

Peter Graves plays the head of the "Fighting 69th" who comes out of retirement to do battle with the bad guys, and he, Gerard, Grey, and the other supporting cast members naturally assume that flat pompous virtue that the heroes in these productions always have - the self-conscious virtue that always finds a way to say, "Aren't we good?"

The most noxious example of this is the hero's welcome that Gerard receives from his conspirators in virtue after he returns from the arduous task of - locating the deaf girl's parents by searching some futuristic Hall of Records for them. Good old Buck Rogers - not only can he save the universe through expert navigation, crack-shooting, and rapid-fire fist-fighting, but he can brave carpal tunnel syndrome and download a file with the best of any $6.50/hour (or whatever the prevailing 25th century wage is) file clerk. Bleah!

After fast-forwarding to all of the enticing Erin Grey poses, put this cassette away and read a book.

Buck Involved In More Than One Crossfire
Return Of The Fighting 69th is one of the best episodes of the Buck Rogers series, combining some impressive SFX action sequences with some of the strongest character interplay of the series, giving a greater emotional punch than normal.

A Directorate container ship has been hijacked and is flying toward Necrosis, an asteroid belt of unusual (and admittedly unrealistic) density. Wilma and Buck, on a training run with two cadets, are hastily sent to stop the container ship, but when four oblong-shaped Scorpian fighters (this is the only episode which identifies these bizarre-shaped fightercraft) attack, two are shot down, but the two Directorate cadets plunge into the Necrosis belt and are pulverized.

Buck furiously demands to know why the stolen ship was worth the lives of the two cadets, and Dr. Huer provides video inventory as explanation - a stash of nerve gas bombs dug out of a bunker near the old Washington DC. And since the ship was flown to the Necrosis belt, the thieves are clearly Corliss and Roxanne Trent, two gunrunners who have vowed revenge on Wilma because of severe injuries (Corliss' face is seriously scarred, Roxanne Trent sports metallic hands after hers were burned to a shrivel) incurred in a space pursuit years earlier.

The only pilots who can possibly navigate the treacherous belt are the surviving members of the Space Marine 69th Squadron - led by Noah Cooper (Peter Graves), who has known Wilma since she was knee-high and earned the nickname Dizzy Deering aka Dizzy D. But all five members of the Fighting 69th were forced into retirement a year earlier, despite still-sharp combat skills. Wilma wants no part of having them return to duty, espeically when they propose using decades-old cargo-sled bombers to launch even older surface-penetrating incendiary explosives into Corliss and Roxanne's asteroid base. When Wilma angrilly protests after an unimpressive live-fire exercise, Buck caustically calls her on the fact she is simply worried sick for Noah, rather than using rational analysis.

When the three sled bombers penetrate the belt, they are jumped by a squadron of Scorpians - three are shot down but Buck and Wilma are captured, and meet Corliss and Roxanne up close. Buck also meets Roxanne's youthful slave servant, Alicia, who is deaf and can only speak via sign language - a fact Buck can use to get himself, Wilma, and Alicia to freedom when Noah leads the attack on the asteroid.

Elizabeth Allen plays Roxanne Trent and imbues the character with such effective monstrosity that the audience can feel genuine hatred welling up as she smashes a memory globe belonging to Alicia.

This episode grows on you; it's still worth watching.
Previously I wrote a 2(or less) star review for this episode. When I first saw it--after sooo many years I was in a time-flux shock! I couldn't believe the difference in producing a sci-fi adventure 20 years ago and 20 years later.--The fight scenes, etc.. Since then I have seen this show repeatedly and it's grown on me. My shock has worn off. I enjoy watching this episode. I still especially enjoy watching the scenes with "Alicia", who is deaf and kidnapped 5 years previously. Her only mode of communication is manually through American Sign Language. I was taken by surprise to hear "Wilma" refer to it as HAND TALK. But today when I see that scene in reference I see the past,present and future rolled into one because she mentions a corrective operation children can have to regain their hearing. Today we would especially know one corrective procedure: COCHLEAR IMPLANT. SCIENCE FICTION becomes Science Fact. WHAT A DIFFENCE 20 YEARS MAKES!!!

EEHH BEETY-BEETY-BEET. COULD BE BETTER
AS A CHILD WHEN i SAW THIS EPISODE I LOVED IT BECAUSE OF THE ACTRESS WHO WAS DEAF PORTRAYING A DEAF CHILD KIDNAPPED AND ENSLAVED. I remember thinking that the futuristic sci-fi shows always showed the futuristic people as having more control of their emotion (Star Trek, Buck Rogers, etc..) Proof was in seing how Buck and his 25th Cent. buds behaved towards each other. What I didn't like this time around was seeing Erin Grey (Gray?) unemotional/underemotional--or underacting? in response to emotional situations. I wasn't taken by how she asked their captors to let Buck and the girl go and they can do anything to her. There were other scenes in which I did like her. Also, the fighting scenes are a little dated. You can tell the actors have little experience with judo or kung fu. Definitely pre-Xena for Wilma Deering! I still enjoy Buck Rogers. I'm waiting to see when Amazon.com gets episodes including the Hawk clan!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Not the best, but still good
This episode is not as good as others, simply because it doesn't really have an adventurous plot, as we've come to expect in Buck Rogers shows. This episode basically was created using flashbacks to scenes from other episodes. The problem arises in that most of the episodes from which these short cuts were taken are not available for purchase. So, unless the viewer has a great memory and was a fan of Buck Rogers as a kid, he/she will really have no context for these stories.

The plot generally surrounds a mysterious group of items which are beamed through the Earth's defense shield. Each item is accompanied by a lymeric (riddle). To solve the mystery, Buck, Wilma (Erin Gray) and even Tweekie are hooked to a machine to retrieve memories of people who might have a grudge against Earth and wish to destroy the Earth. (These memories are the past episodes mentioned above). Of course, they do not solve the mystery until the hour has struck and the "Blast" is set off.

Good show, as are all the Buck Rogers shows. But this episode is definitely for those die-hard fans who remember the show from when we were kids.

Erin Gray - the Diana Rigg of my generation is sublime
Let's be honest - Erin Gray is the reason why Buck Rogers achieved the measure of success it did (both on the big screen and on TV). This movie was originally a TV pilot that was rushed into theaters to see how much money it could make, and it shows. Even the incidental music betrays its TV origins. But despite that (or because of), this gem is almost a 5-star rater. Reason one is the wonderful opening credits where Buck Rogers awakes on a neon-lit walkway surrounded by beautiful futuristic (1979 futuristic, that is) women who pout and kiss him while the goofy song "Suspension" blares away. A classic opening. Reason Two - Erin Gray. Like Diana Rigg in the 60s, Gray was the unattainable class-act who seemed to transcend the screen. There is a Reason Three, but that's just minor stuff like the fact that Buck in the 25th is, simply, one of the funnest things a person can experience. It's B-stuff, no doubt. But man, is it good B-stuff. And also, there's Erin Gray.

Erin Gray is a goddess!
More Erin Gray! More spandex! What more do you need? ... Read more