Amazon.com

Louis L'Amour's easy voice with its gentle rhythm sets the tone and pace of the film in a spoken introduction to this loping, rambling three-hour-plus TV-movie adaptation of his novels The Daybreakers and Sackett. Sam Elliot stars as the elder Sackett, a nomad hunting and trapping in the mountains who happens upon an ancient treasure. Tom Selleck and Jeff Osterhage are his younger siblings, forced to leave home to avoid a Hatfield and McCoy situation. As the Sackett brothers wind their way across the Midwest prairies and mountains we join them on cattle drives and gold hunts, in gunfights and fistfights, and in a climactic showdown as they find their place in the world. This 1979 film rambles and meanders like a lazy river winding through a beautiful landscape of peaks and plains and forests, punctuated by the occasional gunfight and enlivened by a story that celebrates both the open range and the taming of the towns. Elliot looks almost young but flashes his savage eyes behind a thick black beard, while Selleck's easygoing manner is backed up with a stony-faced determination. The excellent cast includes a veritable who's who of Western character actors: Glenn Ford, Ben Johnson, Gilbert Roland, Gene Evans, Jack Elam, Slim Pickens, L.Q. Jones, Mercedes McCambridge, and Pat Buttram. Followed in 1982 by The Shadow Riders, which reunited the three stars and even a few members of the supporting cast in a tale of three different brothers. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The late Louis L'Amour wrote this

This is a three hour, two disk barn burner. The late Louis L'Amour (Lamoore) wrote half a library full of Westerns and a few contemporary novels. He churned them out like there was no tomorrow, but he knew of what he wrote. He had been a cowhand, miner, merchant seaman, circus roustabout and a few other things. I think that he said he'd been a U.S. Marine, too, bless his heart. He did the narration on this film.

L'Amour did a bunch of books on the Sackett family of Tennessee, and this is a sort of compilation of some of them. Tell Sackett is the oldest brother (Sam Elliott), Orrin is the middle one (Tom Selleck), and Tyrell was the youngest (Jeff Osterhage). All played their parts very well. The bad guys included (but were not limited to) Jack Elam, Slim Pickens and L.Q.Jones. Mercedes McCambridge played Ma Sackett. Gilbert Roland played a Spanish (read Mexican) land-owner who the anglos were trying to push off his land in the new territory of New Mexico.

I liked the way everyone played their parts, but particularly Sam Elliot, when he was strolling drunkenly down the main street of Pugatorie, singing quietly to himself in his deep bass, "That's the way she goes, first your money and then your clothes..." just before he caught the guy who was trying to roll him, and shaved him with an Arkansas toothpick with a foot-long blade. Shaved his mustache clean off!

This is a wonderful L'Amour Western. I hope you like it as much as I did.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

KILLIN DONT MIX WELL WITH A MANS SUPPER BUT THIS MOVIE DOES.
THIS TV MINI SEIRES MAY WELL BE THE LAST GREAT ROUND UP OF WESTERN CHARACTER ACTORS, AND WHAT A LOSS THAT IS.
THE SUPPORTING CAST READS LIKE A WHOS WHO OF COWBOY GREATS; SLIM PICKENS, JACK ELAM, BEN JOHNSON, GLENN FORD, BUCK TAYLOR AND OTHERS, MOST OF WHICH HAVE GONE TO THAT GREAT CORRAL IN THE SKY.
CONTEMPORARY ACTORS SAM ELLIOTT AND TOM SELLECK STAR IN THIS STORY OF BROTHERS DISCOVERING THE AMERICAN WEST AND EACH OTHER IN THE PROCESS.
BASED ON LOUIS LAMOURS NOVEL "THE DAYBREAKERS" 'THE SACKETTS'
IS A CLASSIC SHOOT EM UP WITH ROMANCE AND SUSPENSE THROWN IN FOR GOOD MEASURE.
THE DIALOUGE IS GREAT, ESPECIALLY THE SCENES WITH SAM ELLIOTT.
AS ELLIOTS CHARACTER ENJOYS A STEAK WITH FELLOW PROSPECTOR BEN JOHNSON, A YOUNG UPSTART GUNSLINGER INTERUPPTS CHALLENGING THEM TO A WALK DOWN.
WITHOUT LOOKING UP FROM HIS PLATE ELLIOTT WARNS THE WANNE BE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF PUSHING HIS LUCK.
BUT THE PUP IS INSISTANT TO WHICH ELLIOTT REPLIES, FINALLY LOOKING AT THE KID."YOURE FIXIN TO MAKE ME TAKE HOLD OF THAT PISTOL (WHICH SITS ON THE TABLE) AND THEN ILL HAVE TO KILL YA.....AND KILLIN DONT MIX WELL WITH A MANS SUPPER."
IT DONT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.
GLENN FORD PLAYS CONVINCINGLY AS AN EX LAWMAN GUNFIGHTER WHO BECOMES OBSSESSED WITH HATRED AND DIES BECAUSE OF IT.
THE ONLY DOWNSIDE TO THIS HORSE OPERA IS THE 1979 T.V. CINEMATOGRAPHY WHICH LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED. OTHER THAN THAT IT IS TOP NOTCH WESTERN ENTERTAINMENT.

Response to Disappointed
I am watching a very fuzzy VHS recording from the early 90's and basically all I am getting is the audio, I decided I wanted it all and visited this site to purchase a copy of the video (hoped DVD) and encountered this review which I couldn't resist responding to. The movie follows what I remember of the L'Amour books (about to pull out of storage) which took their own sweet time in describing the characters & scenery. I admit, I didn't watch the whole recording, but from what I heard I thought it followed true to tradition, as well as a movie could.
Tim.

Disappointing.......
I've had this video for several years, and watched it again last night, after a break of about a year. I am a die hard fan of both Louis L'Amour books, and western movies, and thought a Louis written movie with this strong a cast would be totally first class.

Wish I could say it was. It's too long by about a third, which gives it a plodding, almost boring feel in places. It's obvious why this excessive padding had to happen. This was a TV project, not a theatrical movie, and they had to make it long enough to cover two nights viewing. With a few exceptions the actors seem to be pretty much just going thru their paces, waiting for somebody else to seize the moment. The one exception to this was Glenn Ford - he did a superb job. Of the other actors, Sam Elliot was probably the most believable.

The movie is very predictable for the most part. The obligatory love interests for all 3 Sacketts, for example. Then there is the final showdown: 3 good-guy brothers, with best buddy, take on the bad guy brothers, accompanied by numerous backup bad guys. In and around the livery stable, no less. Did the Sacketts change their first names to Wyatt, Morgan, and Virgil, with Doc thrown in for good measure? Then all four good guys stroll triumphantly down the street, side by side. Couldn't see Gary Cooper anywhere, tho.

Also a good part of the script is devoted to building up the racist, rich Anglo as number one bad guy, and the suspense builds as he prepares for war against the Spanish speaking citizens of Santa Fe. Then a couple of his hired guns sing like canaries to Sheriff Sacket and racist rich Anglo bad guy is meekly led off in handcuffs by the Feds, and this entire plot switcheroo happens and is over within about a minute. Soaring plot line ends with a resounding thud. And his more beautiful than life blonde daughter? One of the Sackett love interests? What happens to her? Left standing on the sidewalk as daddy is led away........ Hollywood abandoning a damsel in distress? Heresy.......

Most disappointing, tho, for me, was the lack of attention paid to historical accuracy, especially for a Louis project. Model 1873 and 1892 Winchesters in 1869? Don't think so.....

It IS well filmed, with gorgeous settings. All in all, this is an ok movie, but could and should have been so much more.

The Sacketts
I personally knew Louis L'Mamour and have ever book that he has ever written. The reason I'm trying to order this video now is because I have litteraly worn out the original I got when it first came out. I also have all the other videos that were based on his books but I feel like The Sacketts was on to the best based on his book. From the Four Corners where most of his books were written about an avid fan from Southwest Colorado. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

this episode
This video has two episodes that are highly ranked of my favorite episodes. The seal is my second favorite. BUY THIS DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tense, as usual
Of the two episodes in this video, the best is The Seal. It is always great to watch the IMF in action. In The Seal, an ancient and sacred seal has been stolen from an obscure country and in the interest of obtaining their favor in the Cold War, it is the team's duty to return the seal.

While this is an earlier episode, you can tell the show was hitting its stride. All the elements are there: timed sequences, the fake accents, a magician, hiding in equipment to gain entrances, fake ids and what is always best - watching the team psych out their prey.

I do not recall having seen this episode and I was surprisingly tense watching this show...there is so much going on and you know there is always the unexpected surprise. This show had everything including a trained cat! Don't miss it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Noteworthy Entry for the Mission: Impossible Collector
THE CONTROLLERS is the first entry in Mission: Impossible's fourth season and features a semi-plausible plot and a somewhat larger cast than the previous seasons. In the two-part episode, the IMF must prevent a scientist from unleashing a mind-controlling drug. THE CONTROLLERS is a good edition to the post-Bain/Landau Mission: Impossible T.V. series, but there is a chemistry that seems to be missing. From a technical standpoint, the series stands out as the first appearance of Dina Merrill as Meredyth and a post-Star Trek Leonard Nimoy as Paris. An enjoyable edition to the series. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

best cult series
i think the bunker is a excellent episode which has a lot going for it.It is a Playdon adventure, personally my favorite writer Bain and Landau are excellent,the only thing that got me was the masks.having two on at the same time is a bit implausible.Otherwise a great episode a must-see for all mission fans!

FINE EPISODE FROM SERIES THAT BROKE THE MOLD
Mission: Impossible is the TV series that broke the mold and proved that an exciting show that doesn't insult the intelligence of the audience can still be very popular. During the 1960's when MI first appeared, most action-adventure series contained a large helping of car chases, fist fights and shoot-outs. Although, in the first season's episodes, we still see some elements of these things, by the second season they had pretty much disappeared and the emphasis became on out-thinking the enemy. It even got to the point that if someone had to be "liquidated", the IMF maneuvered the bad guys into doing it themselves (another major motivation for reducing the amount of violence in the show was the climate of disorder in the United States during this period including the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr, widespread opposition to the War in Vietnam plus the rioting in the major urban areas of the US caused by the racial unrest of the time). Another factor in the success of the series is the music which has become legendary that was written or inspired by Lalo Shifrin. Many scenes consisted of Barney connecting up wires or tinkering with some mechanical device and yet, the musical background kept up the tension and prevented the scene from becoming boring. The two-part episode on this tape was written by Paul Playdon who wrote some of the best stories for the series. There are plenty of clever gadgets and escape-proof prisons plus the presence of a hired assassin from a third country whom the IMF is not in control of to keep any MI fan occupied for two hours. The only reason I gave the story only 4 stars instead of 5 was because of the use of masks (someone even wears two masks at one time!) which I find rather implausible, but it is great entertainment in any event. I hope that more episodes will become available for purchase in the future!

IMF team has to rescue scientist and his wife. Undetected.
A scientist is held captive. He is to perfect the missile. Only the scientist knows what to do. If he is not to do it. His wife will be executed. Also in sub-plot. A assassin is hired to kill the scientist so he can not finish his work. The IMF team has a gaget that might work. Wil they rescue the scientist in time. END ... Read more

Reviews (8)

In Spanish too
I feel happy that tv series that I watched many years ago . Now I can get them in DVD, but these serios were no popular just in USA in other countries of Latin America was popular too. It should be make in Spanish too or with subtitles in several languages. Thanks

When's the DVD coming out????
I see all of these other old school TV shows coming out on DVD. Mission: Impossible was a great show and deserves its spot for a DVD release for each season.

Impossible to Match
I saw many of the Mission Impossible series as a teenager. I also read the original paperback book when it came out which was made as Vol. #7. Steven Hill playing Daniell Briggs (the first season)and Peter Graves ( all subsequent seasons) as Jim Phelps both play excellent as the genius mastermind Team leader of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) a top American government group virtually unknown to the rest of the top secret agencies. During his college days Dan or Jim majored in psychology at a top west coast university and was a chess champion. The rest of the IMF is composed of the beautiful model and Fem Fatale, Cinnamon Carter played by Barbara Bain is excellent. The academy award winner, Martin Landau who eventually married Barbara plays Rollin Hand, the magician and master of disguise. Black actor, Greg Morris does a superb job as Barney Collier, electronics genius with a prestigious background. The strong man or weight lifting world record holder, William (Willie) Armitage played by Peter Lupus is the brawn on the Team. he certainly looked the part also. Together the IMF carries out missions against impossible odds to rescue people, con enemy states, and change the courses of governments for the betterment of the free world especially without causing wars. This first volume is excellent in introducing this Team of specialists with exciting and intruiging plots and ways the IMF thwarts and bamboozles the opponent in the pilot and also in the second story called the Photographer which Anthony Zerbe stars. All of the Mission Impossible series are excellent and demonstrates how things can be accomplished through nonviolent methods also. The CIA actually did accomplish some similiar things which are now becoming declassified. This show was one of my favorite TV shows in the sixties and early seventies. You will enjoy them as well!!

Introducing you to the Cold War and the IMF Team
"Mission Impossible" originally ran from 1966 and 1973, telling tales of the Impossible Mission Force, a group of highly specialized government agents who were usually involved in disrupting the activities of small foreign powers trying to mess with the United States and the Free World. The group leader, Daniel Briggs (Steven Hill) in the first season and Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) for the rest of the show's run, put together the team and developed the complex plan to pull off the impossible mission; Cinnamon Carter (Barbara Bain) was the the beautiful female member of the team, Rollin Hand (Martin Landau) the master of disguise, Barney Collier (Greg Morris) was the electronics expert, and William Armitage (Peter Lupus) the muscle.

This first tape in the "Mission Impossible" series has the pilot and a choice episode from the show's second season. In the pilot episode (9/17/66), Wally Cox plays a safecracker who has to sneak into the vault of a hotel to steal a couple of nuclear warheads from a military dictator. This was the only episode of the show written by series creator Bruce Geller. This is not a classic episode per se, but it clearly sets the template for the entire series. "The Photographer" (12/17/67), written by two of the show's most productive writers, William Read Woodfield and Allan Balter, deals with biological warfare. Enemy agents intend to spread pneumonic plague and a top photographer (Anthony Zerbe) is the key contact. The IMF fakes a nuclear attack on New York to get the key to the code. Yes, there is a large degree of irony in watching this particular episode today, but remember what things were like in the Sixties. "The Photographer" is a classic MI episode and along with the pilot makes this an excellent tape to have for fans of the series.

Final Note: For my money the title sequence for this show is definitely one of the ten best ever, not just because of Lalo Schifrin's memorable theme music but because of the way shots from the episode were mixed in with the burning fuse and shots of the cast. You always saw enough to get interested in what was to happen, but they never let the cat out of the bag enough to ruin the episode.

Mission: Impossible, Vol. 1
I Thought that these two episodes were two of the best. One the first episode had Steven Hill starring who I think in some cases is better at the part than Peter Graves is. Two the second episode had a clever set up. But I won't explain it to you I want you to see it for youself. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Exchange
There are two episodes on this tape. The Mercenaries and The Exchange. The Exchange is a major and exciting departure for M.I. It is the only episode where an MI agent is captured (Cinnamon) at the beginning. The entire show is based on an exciting and creative "rescue".

This is a show that the creator (Bruce Gellar) did not want to make. Later this became one of his favorite shows. Phelps is clearly pained by Cinnamons capture and the rescue is a "cold war" stroke of genius. A must see!!

The Mercenaries
I renember of watching "The Mercenaries" for the first time. I consider it one of the bets MI episodes ever! It was very inteligent.

I have the picture of the villian (with a Fidel Castro looking) shooting Rollin when he fiunds ot that Rollin is an IMF agent.

The golden stealing scene was really well planed and really well done (I hear that the golden bars whre Ice Creams tablets). I read in a megazine that this scene became very famous.

It was always good to see IMF on action. In my opinion, "The Mercenaries is the second best episode of MI's season 3. It only looses for "The Mind of Staphan Miklos". ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Put this show on DVD
This entire series needs to be put on DVD soon and with many special features! I loved this show since I was a kid. The original TV show blows the movies away ... BIG TIME.

SLP Recording really ruins video quality !
Good video. Poor delivery.

I was really annoyed by the fact that the video producers decided to shave pennies off of their costs by recoding in SLP (Super Long Play) mode.

Fantastic plots sold here
Want to bend your mind a bit? Let the IMF do it with these two as Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) matches wits with hyperintelligent secret agent Stefan Miklos (Steve Ihnat in one of his best performances ever) as Phelps seeks to destroy a spy ring that has penetrated American intelligence by leading the enemy's most accomplished thinker through turn after turn to completely dupe him in the process. When your brain stops hurting with the dense plot and amazing attention to logical detail, try the even more phenomenal "Live Bait" where Phelps and the IMF must keep American spy Orin Selby (John Crawford) by being unmasked by enemy security chief Helmut Kellerman (Anthony Zerbe in another fine guest role). Watch for the great subplot with Kellerman's faithless assistant Brock (Martin Sheen) and his scheming girlfriend (Diana Ewing). Buy this video *now*.

A Must-See
Two of the most intelligent and elegantly-wrtten episodes of the all-time great, "Graves-and the Landaus season" Mission: Impossible. If you haven't seen these two, you haven't watched Mission: Impossible at all. Don't miss them. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

IMF
Your Mission Jim Should You Decide to Accept It!

2 Thumbs Up!

The Council
This originally aired as a two part show. The theme is organized crime which later became a repeated theme as the show aged and budgets got tighter. This, however, was in the early years with a big budget and MAJOR excitment. Cinnamon plays a cosmetologist doing a plastic surgery job in front of a host of "bad guys". The show is riviting with an unforgetable finale. If you're an MI fan this is a must see!

THE ORIGINAL SPY MASTERPIECE IN ALL IT'S GLORY!
I am a big fan of this series and have been for many years. With this volume having some of the best episodes of the series. The gadgets and all the action and great storylines that never seemed to go over the top of the viewer's crediablity. The remake of The original "MISSION IMPOSSIBLE" t.v series wasn't that good i don't think it could ever come close to the remarkable sucess of it's predecessor. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The "Hand " That Robbed The Crib
One of the finest exhibitions of plotting, stealth, pinpoint timing, acting, writing, and oh yeah, true IMF coincidences,
few fans will want to leave their seats during this two parter!

The plan is to free a cardinal bishop from a high security prison which has never been victim to a prison escape. Martin Landau's interaction with the frail cardinal took on a
somewhat father son quality. Mary Ann Mobley was brilliant
as the trapeeze artist. She and Barbara Bain worked their seductive magic in an effort to stall and divert the guards attention. The fine performances by Greg Morris as the clown and Peter Lupus punctuate the episodes. And of course, no 1st season episode would be considered a
classic without the great Steven Hill. His ability to slide
from total involvement to complete anonymity is a gift
that was occasionally explored but never eclipsed by Peter Graves. This episode along with Operation Rogosh and Ransom leaves you with a marvelous and wistful taste of
what could have been of Mission had Steven Hill stayed on.
Fine television viewing right to the finish!!

Shows with Guest Stars
The episodes are wonderful. But I'd like to know who is guest starring on ea. tape before purchasing.

The Ultimate First Season Mission: Impossible Episodes
OLD MAN OUT is arguably the best two-parter in MISSION's long history, and definitely stands out among the rarely-seen first season episodes. OLD MAN OUT finds the IMF in all their mindbending glory, attempting to liberate ailing political prisoner Cardinal Vossek (Cyril Delevanti) from an impregnable fortress. Although not as sophisticated as later shows, the episode does feature outstanding performances by Martin Landau, Barbara Bain and guest star Mary Ann Mobely. It also features some of the best character interaction in the series. OLD MAN OUT, more than any other show, makes the IMF appear comprised of human beings as opposed to the deadly clockwork machines they later became.

The Ultimate First Season Mission: Impossible Episodes
This two-parter from MISSION's first season is arguably the best of '66-'67. OLD MAN OUT parts one and two showcase the IMF in all their mindbending glory as they set out to free political prisoner Cardinal Vossek (Cyril Delevanti) from an impregnable jail. To free Vossek, the IMF must pose as a travelling carnival troupe which takes up residence outside the prison walls. Although not as sophisticated as some of the later episodes, OLD MAN OUT does feature outstanding performances by Marin Landau, Barbara Bain and guest star May Ann Mobely. Character interaction is also at an all-time high, as in this episode more than any other, the characters appear more human as opposed to the clockwork machines they later became. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Operation Rogosz-The Episode the Made the Series
Operation Rogosz (oh-come on, he's supposed to be Hungarian-spell it right!) was the fourth episode of Mission Impossible, and in my opinion, it was the one that made the series what it became. In the first season, there were still a lot of "action" scenes, shoot-outs, car chases and fist fights, but this episode doesn't have any of that, which is why it is so good. MI, at its best is all about psyching the enemy out and brain is more important than brawn. Fritz Weaver puts in a great performance as the consummately evil Imre Rogosz. Combining this with a very impressive job of directing by Leonard Horn and some very special camera work, we see a very intense and exciting story. One thing that is different about this episode from later ones in the series is that we see light-hearted banter between the members of the IM Force. It was apparently believed by the later writers that this might detract from the tension of the story, but on the other hand, it makes the members of the IMF more "human" and believable. I leave it to the viewer to decide which is a better approach.
One other factor that makes the story so compelling is that it is about bacteriological warfare, a subject that is unfortunately very relevant today. Get this video and see the good guys win.

"Operation Rogosh" on video--finally!
The great "Operation Rogosh" episode of "Mission: Impossible" featured the series' first time-displacement scam, with an environment completely recreated from scratch and a mission that, to be successful, had to be completed within a strict time-frame. To one extent or another, this first-year installment set the tone for the rest of the series, and after 37 years, "Rogosh" is still fresh, and still a model of staging and editing.

Director Leonard Horn was a veteran of the sci-fi classic "The Outer Limits" ("The Man Who Was Never Born," etc.), as was writer Jerome Ross ("The Man with the Power"). Other "Limits" tie-ins include directors Lee H. Katzin and Paul Stanley, as well as co-producer Alan Balter.

The second episode on the video, "The Train," is more gimmick-reliant but quite entertaining, with one especially nerve-wracking moment. To quote an early reviewer of "Mission: Impossible," fine stuff!

Two classic episodes
Two classic episodes for a great price -- "Operation Rogosh" features a genocidal saboteur (Fritz Weaver) convinced three years has elapsed, he's on trial for his life -- and all he can remember to prove his innocence is to tell "his accusers" of the "last" great operation he was trying to pull off in America. Great psychological drama and a real cliffhanger ending. "The Train" also features some fun technology, including a IMF-rigged train crash that never was, a faked heart murmur with a microphone, and great acting from villain William Windom. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Very Good Western
I have truly enjoyed watching "Death of a Gunfighter." I bought it online, and it was a good purchase. I've always liked watching a good western, and this is one. I highly recommend this movie- especially if you don't object to the interracial love affair between Frank and Claire. I personally think they make a great couple, and one of the movie's highlights is their wedding. My only regret is they don't get to live happily ever after, but it's fun watching them together for the duration of the movie.

"Death of a Gunfighter" was originally named "Patch," Richard Widmark's character's last name. The name of the film was later changed. This is the story of Frank Patch, sheriff of a small town in the early 1900s. He's been sheriff for 20 years, and after several deadly shootouts, with Patch being the lone survivor, the local townspeople are fed up with his methods of law and order, and want him out of office- no matter what. His only supporters are his son, Dan, a good, loyal young man, and Claire, his girlfriend of many years, played by Lena Horne, who is breath-takingly beautiful in this film. After more deaths, and more opposition, including from Lester, brilliantly played by Carroll 'O Connor, a visit from old friend Lou, played by John Saxon, who also tries to convince him to give up the job, Frank marries Claire. Watch for the big showdown that takes place after their wedding...

I really like the cast of this movie. Widmark, Horne, and 'O Connor I particularly enjoy watching, each lighting up the screen. It's also refreshing seeing Lena Horne in a dramatic, non-musical role, although she does sing "Sweet Apple Wine" at the beginning. Her acting skills shine, along with her grace and beauty. I can't picture anyone else in this role but her. Richard Widmark is great as tough-guy Patch. I love him in those tough-guy parts.

The film was shot during the summer of 1968, and released a year later by Universal. This has become one of my favorite movies. Like I said before, I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A down and out knockout !!
The IMF delve into the sports world by thwarting an underworld attempt to rig boxing (and all) sporting events.

This episode makes very effective use of Barney portraying Richie Lemoyne, a boxer who burned his hands during a rescue. Lemoyne, who is now retired, promises to help the IMF if he is guaranteed to win a fight in clean, legitimate fashion.

Rollin, with the help of Willy and Robert Conrad, operates as a trainer preparing Barney for the big fight. Cinnamon works her feminine wiles to seduce and overthrow mob ringleader Charles Buckman. Graves gets a bookie job with
Buckman who finds that HE'S the one in a real fix!

A Great story, typical of many during the Landau/Bain years of the series. The acting is good, and the fighting scenes are passable. Watch for Sugar Ray Robinson as he gives the word "hitman" a new meaning. One of the finer domestic cases the Mission force tackled. Lord knows they would be too few and far between after 1969.

A Knockout Mission!
A fantastic and atypical Mission: Impossible.

This volume puts Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) and his team up against a corrupt boxing promoter, Charles Buckman ,who's working with organized crime to collect huge payoffs on his rigged fights.

This two part episode plays like a movie and gives the team some unusual challenges. First they enlist the help of non-agent Richy Lemoine an ex-boxer who will only help if the IMF (Impossible Missions Force) can defeat Buckman's champion without any of their usual dirty tricks. Second, the mission takes place over an extended period of time. Third, IMF agent Barney takes center stage, usually we see him doing behind the scenes work like crawling through tunnels and breaking into safes. Fourth, real life boxing great Sugar Ray Robinson guest stars as Buckman's ruthless hit man

Here on more than any other episode we get to see the team take it's time to develop the perfect frame. Richy and Rollin (Academy Award winner Martin Landau) put Barney through intensive training with help from boxing enthusiast Robert Conrad (in a cameo). Jim get's a job at a bookie joint. Meanwhile, Cinnamon (Barbara Bain) charms her way into the boxing promoter's love life in a sub-plot that will turn around and stab him in the back when he least expects it!

I highly recommend this tape to all fans of classic TV. It's a real gem. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

For completists only
These two episodes are definitely the lesser entries of M:I's merely average seventh season. Instead of fun episodes like "Two Thousand" and "Break!" Paramount instead chose one average and one dismal episode -- "Puppet" has a strong cast (including villain Roddy McDowall, and backup scum Val Avery and John Larch) but a fairly slow plot and little visual style or gadgetry. "The Pendulum" only has some nice exteriors and sets to recommend it (Dean Stockwell's performance is particularly beneath his talent). Nevertheless, this is probably the only way a Mission completist can buy these episodes on tape, so if you're a collector, pick it up. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Interesting Episodes
The first episode is one of the classics of these great series. Interestingly enough, when the series was revived in 1988 with Peter Graves again starring as the IMF leader, the episode was an almost exact remake of the first episode on this video. Frankly, I thought the remake was better mainly because Robert Conrad plays a better "good guy" than the "bad guy" he is in this episode.
The second episode with William Shatner is not as good. One reason is because Mission: Impossible coincided with the War in Vietnam and after the War became extrememly controversial, it was announced that the producers of the show would no longer do stories about the IMF overthrowing evil governments and leaders in foreign countries (not politically correct in 1970's America!) which was a high percentage of their episodes, but from now on would rather would focus on the fight against organized crime. Since now all the resources of the IMF, which had previously been able to defeat the intellegence forces and even armies of bad foreign regimes would now be focused on bringing down one or few bad guys, it almost makes you feel sorry for these evildoers because they don't stand a chance! That is the case in this episode. However, there is no such thing as a "bad" episode of Mission: Impossible so it is still very entertaining.

Some good, some bad
'The Killer' starts out promising, but more than the usual amount of implausible ruses start to pile up. Leonard Nimoy as Paris is not into his disguise role yet. It is one of the few episodes that show how vast the IM network is.
Cocaine is a good show. Linda Day George seemed to play her roles a little too shallow. Maybe I was spoiled by Barbara Bain and Leslie Nielsen

Robert Conrad and William Shatner as the bad guys!
The first episode on the tape is the fifth-season classic, "The Killer," starring Robert Conrad as a hired assasin who carries out his assignments in a totally improvised fashion, leaving the IMF scrambling every second of the way in their mission to discover the identity of his boss. The customization of a hotel in a matter of minutes is the highlight of this episode, an excellent rehash of "Operation Rogosh" (volume 8). The second show, "Cocaine," stars William Shatner as a drug-smuggling assistant taken in by an IMF cocaine-manufacturing machine that, naturally, doesn't quite work to specifications. An enjoyable and complicated mission highlighted by an unusually effective Shatner as the heavy, Barabara ("Ironside") Anderson as a drug addict, and Peter Lupus as the instructive, bespectacled chemist who makes the "cocaine." Great fun. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

this video was ok.......
i am a big fan of Magnum P.I. Probably the biggest fan in the world. i have seen every episode at least twice and this episode of magnum isnt one of the ones i would have made available for vhs. Personally my favorite episodes have to do with when Magnum and Higgins are fighting over whatever. the episode "Paper War" is a really really good one. Magnum and Higgins are trapped in an elevator in it. Its really funny. MCA if you are listening why dont you guys have every single Magnum P.I. episode on vhs in a box set. Or even better DVD. Thanks.

Okay, Three and A Half
"Magnum P.I.", probably the best series in television history..It had everything...all the major elements, Drama, Action, Comedy and Mystery. In most cases, the actors worked perfectly off each other, especially Hillerman, and Selleck. What can be said about "Murder 101"? Another fine episode, but I think there are quite a few others that may have deserved the treatment of video above this one. The bonuses of purchasing the video, instead of just watching it on television? You get to see the original fifth season opening, not the one they play over, and over, with each episode in syndication, you get to see an extra three minutes of the episode, cut out in syndication, for more commercial time. All in all, good episode, worth purchase, I just wish there were more available, and it seems like the television section of video stores is slowly fading away.

Hot for Teacher
Murder 101 (a.k.a. Private Investigation 101) is one of the funniest, most tongue-in-cheek, episodes of Magnum ever. To pay some extra bills, Magnum has succumbed to teaching a second-rate college course on how to be a P.I....uh-um, that's Private Investigator. Anyway, the class is full of bumbling yokels and they look to Magnum to help them solve a case by going on a series of "class field trips". My favorite student was Danny, the stoned surfer dude who drove the group around in his van.

It's terribly funny to watch the blind leading the blind, as Magnum tries one dead end after another, finds himself digging through trash, and gets pummeled in a seedy bar bathroom.

The cast of charaters are over-the-top goofballs who truly bring out the comical side of this otherwise dramatic series.

The grand finale "exposition" scene once again pokes fun at the series as a whole when the students start asking questions as to how the case was actually solved. (You know how most TV mysteries are always magically wrapped up in about 5 minutes.) Magnum himself can't even answer the questions, so T.C. and Rick must step in to "explain" what happened. But good luck understanding the details. Despite the sloppy wrap up (which I believe was done on purpose as a parody/joke), "Murder101" is still one of my faves. ...

Private Investigation 101
Magnum teaches a class about his line of work. A lady in the class thinks her fiance is cheating on her. He is only running out on his bank job. He has discovered some incriminating evidence there. Now his life is at stake. Magnum and his students try to help this couple. This show has a few twists and turns especially at the end. Watch for the bar scene. This is the funniest scene in any Magnum show. The locals can drink their weight in beer. One huge drunk in particular zeros in on Magnum's round buying. He proceeds to swill six or seven bottles of beer in succession. MCA should release all the Magnum, P.I. shows on either vhs or dvd.

A good episode with a confusing plot
A funny episode with great interplay between the main characters. However, the story is confusing about who's doing what and why. They try to "wrap" it up in the end but I was still confused. I wish they would release all of the two hour Magnum episodes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

FAMILY CLASSIC
This movie is a love story which turns into a revenge . it has action, love, and betrayal. jimmy is a young man that falls in love with the sentors daughter played by maureen mccormick his father is killed by sentors son whos played by buck taylor. he joins the pony express to fine the killer. its slow moving .but it has a good story line . Big names and if you like westerns this is a movie for the whole family ... Read more

Reviews (11)

MAGNUM! There is a God! Needs to be DVD though
The Best series ever and yet no movie? Not many have seen the first episode. It's a bit strange after seeing the later ones, only because it was more serious, not as much comedy. There needs to be a push to wake Universal up ... this should have hit the silver screen Years ago! Make DVD's and a Movie!

Oh My God, Magnum !
This is the first episode of a tremendous series that dominated the 1980's starring Tom Selleck as Thomas Sullivan Magnum, an ex' naval officer turned private investigator. The beginning of this episode features the hillarious round one of an ongoing confrontation between Magnum and his frequent nemesis, Jonathan Quail Higgins, who is the major domo of the Robin Masters' estate in Hawaii. This episode artfully combines humor and drama to present an outstanding harbinger of the show that ran for eight years. Highly recommended.

Dont eat the snow in Hawaii
Magnum is my absolute favorite series and when you see the first episode you'll know why he and the cast were so popular and still are to many of us. I loved how he introduced us to who he was , where he came from.
we hear him say "Ive done funnier" rub his shoulder you see a bullet wound then flashbacks intro us to Rick as a gunner and TC as a pilot in Nam (Steve Kux was a real Nam pilot responsible for all those cool shots over the opening theme hard to get but hes great and did it)
It had funny moments"Dont look at the dogs work the lock , dont look at the.." then he looks(apollo and zeus(Higgins dobermans) coming toward him) "you looked at the dogs" he was hired to see if he could breach security including steal the Ferrari. Youll see early Magnum trademarks that slow building temper esp. when he went to confront a hardnose officer who didnt like him. "youre gonna lose those bars you spent 30 years eggsucking for" (Magnum growls)important cause you'll see that temper again and again when Magnum feels he was wronged. It became a trademark the slow burn warn tone then boom he was off..and on your case.
He had very memorable music "the brazilian " in Unfinished business" and Mama in "Death and Taxes" you gotta see those two too!
Nobody had a cast like them they got along great couldnt be better friends..highly reccommend it for people who love suspense this is it!! youll be hooked..Mahalo (Thanks!!)

I would recommend you to see this very first Magnum episod
Magnum PI is one of the best shows on TV ever, and I really enjoyed seeing this premier episode. If you have seen the later episodes, you can see the chemistry between the casts - they are great together. In this first episode, the characters are still very "unpolished", and you would probably have difficult to recognize the different characters if you just have seen episodes from the last seasons. For example, Rick is some kind of Bogart-look-a-like that has some kind of Casablanca-club in Honolulu...nothing like King Kamehamea Club at all. Higgins are pretty much the same, even if I miss his great stories in this 1,5 hours episode. However, this is a great production, and if you were interested in seeing a film about great adventures, Hawaii, Ferrari, Friendship, and the start of one of the most successful TV shows ever, I would recommend you to see this very first Magnum PI episode.

a must see for all magnum fans
you've got to see this! I am a huge fan of the show, and this episode is definitely a classic. find out rick's real name, see the original scenes for the theme song, and learn about magnum's personality roots. I love this series, and enjoy this episode. it's not the best, but it will give you a deeper understanding of the show. thankfully they got a better theme song, and ditched the rings. the show only gets better... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not very good
This is one of those movies that you are better off renting than buying. It stars Ron Howard as Huckleberry Finn and Donnie Most as Tom Sawyer (no joke, Ralph Mouth from Happy Days). Although Ron Howard has the look of a Huck Finn, I thought this was a terrible choice for this character. Both Howard and Most don't fit not only because they are made more for "series" television, but also because they are way too old to be playing these characters.

The movie attempts to be faithful to the book, and does a half way decent job, but the 78 minutes makes for quite a bit of plot skipping and assuming on the part of the audience. They don't spend too much time on the relationship of Huck and his Pap or home life with Widow Douglas, but spend quite a bit on the scenes with the duke and king and escaping down the Mississippi.

What makes this movie particularly disappointing is that it doesn't bring the novel to life at all, and fails miserably at giving it an "adventure" feel. The film seems to be presented in a "series" way rather than film. You feel like you are watching the Waltons and waiting for a commercial when they move to a new scene. The producers also decided to add a tacky song into the movie for no apparent reason.

There are appearances by "Mark Twain" (an actor dressed up like the author), who gives his two cents on the characters and how they fit into the time period. There is not much of reason to put this in, and, although it is an attempt to give background information for this time period, it comes off as being corny and silly.

The recent Elijah Wood version, although not as accurate as this one, is a better movie, as is the 1985 version with Patrick Day.

Three Thumbs Down
I watched this movie with my 2 sons. We were all disapointed even though we like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, we like to watch Happy Days reruns with Ron Howard, and we like old movies. A much better choice is "Tom and Huck (1995)" which is destined to become a classic. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The London Caper Case
Great as most Magnum P.I.s. This time he must go to London to figure out what happened to a friend. Things seem familiar in a strange way. That is all I will tell you so as not to spoil the fun. To bad the whole series is not on DVD. As popular as it was I am quite certain it would sell well to the people that originally watched it, and those that did not that like private eye TV shows or movies.

This is not an Hawaiian story
When you think about Magnum PI, you most probably think about Hawaii, Ferrari, Beaches, Beautiful Girls, and other nice things. This episode are kind of different compared to most of the other Magnum PI episodes - this is not an Hawaiian story - instead Magnum have to go to London since one of his old Nam-buddies have died. Even if this episode don't have all the things you expect from a traditionally Magnum episode, this is a great story, and definitively worth seeing.

TOP-NOTCH PRIVATE EYE PROGRAM
Magnum pi was for me one of the best programs on television in the 1980's. I remember seeing this particular episode not too long ago on t.v and i liked the fact it took place out of the Hawiil setting into London. All i remeber this was a fast paced episode like all the other ones and the most memorable as well.

Magical Magnum Mystery
If you are looking for one Magnum, p.i. tape for your video collection, this is the one to get. The episode "Murder 101" which is also on video is another good choice. "Deja Vu," however, is a bit different than other Magnum episodes. First, it runs at a little over an hour and a half (so, that is more Magnum for your money.) Second, this episode is set in London and not Hawaii - but, never fear, the whole cast is there. Third, it is quite the excellent Magnum mystery with many twists and turns. In this episode, we also get to see some superior acting from Selleck and another side of the character of Higgins. For those who have not seen this episode or who don't remember it, I'm not going to give anything away. You'll have to watch it to find out. There were so many enjoyable Magnum episodes, I can't figure out why more are not available. I also can't figure out why the episodes which are available on video were chosen to be, with the exception of "Deja Vu" which most certainly should be out of video. Other episodes that should also be available though are "Unfinished Business" (an excellent Viet Nam POW/MIA episode), "Limbo" (the 1987 season finale with the excellent cliffhanger of Magnum being left in a coma), "Infinity & Jelly Doughnuts" (the first show of the next season which picks up where "Limbo" left off) and, of course, the final episode "Resolutions" which also aired for 2 hours as did "Deja Vu." Let's hope MCA Universal releases more Magnum episodes. The Tom Selleck movie "An Innocent Man" should also be re-released on video. Selleck is great no matter what he is in because he is just Tom Selleck. What also makes watching Magnum episodes enjoyable is knowing how much fun the cast had working together, how well they got along and the knowledge that Selleck was deeply loved and admired by all of the cast and others. All reports indicate that Selleck is not one of those stars whose fame went to his head. On the contrary, he has always been deemed a "nice guy" who takes good care of his friends and fellow cast members and who unselfishly shared his wealth. With Tom Selleck on screen: What you see is what you get - just an all around good guy! If you are a Magnum or Selleck fan, I WOULD ALSO SUGGEST BUYING THE BOOK: "ALOHA MAGNUM" WRITTEN BY LARRY MANETTI - the other all-around nice guy from the cast of Magnum, p.i.

Deja Vu
As with all of the Magnum shows, this was another great one. I actually believe it is one of my favorites. I would love to see a lot more of the shows available for sale. Actually I would like to have a set of all the shows made. ... Read more