The Fugitive: The Complete Series

First of all, I have been very impressed with the picture and sound quality of "The Fugitive: The Complete Series" box set. The picture is crisp and clear and the sound strong and even. I've been watching sample episodes with a Panasonic blu-ray DVD player with video enhancement (for regular DVDs) along with a Panasonic high definition television. This makes these episodes look pretty darn close to blu-ray quality. And I'm sure other DVD players and televisions can produce the same results. The black and white episodes of "The Fugitive" are fantastic, but Season Four has quickly become my favorite season due to all the eye-popping color. Color was changing the course of television history by the mid-1960's, and many shows originally filmed in black and white were switching over to color. "The Fugitive" was no exception. Color consultants were often used for many of these shows so that colors would stand out and become as much of a drawing card for the shows as the stars and stories presented in each series. And the fourth season of "The Fugitive" has some of the most gorgeous color that can be seen in any series from that era. For those of you who have purchased this great box set, you may be aware of the discussion going on about "replacement music" in some of the episodes. It has become apparent that through an oversight of CBS/Paramount a few of these discs with replacement music made their way into some box sets. The process to determine if you may need new discs to replace the "replacement music" discs is simple. Call Vision Media, a "fulfillment company" handling this project for CBS/Paramount, at 877-335-8936. Their hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time. You may be put on hold for a while, but hang on, you will be able to talk to a live representative. The representative will ask you to read the bar code off the bottom of the slipcase of the box set. If that information shows that there are discs that need to be replaced, you will be asked for your mailing address and a contact phone number. They said it would take about two to four weeks to receive the replacement discs. I asked how many new discs would I receive, and I was told that there were only five discs that needed to be replaced. So don't expect them to send you replacements for entire seasons. I just made the phone call recently and have not yet received the discs. However, when I do, I'll revise this review and let you "Fugitive" fans know how the new discs are working. For what it's worth, if you are worried about buying this box set because of all the discussion about "replacement music" in some of the episodes, I would not let that stop me from buying it. The same goes for fans who have already purchased the box set and are trying to decide whether to send it back. CBS/Paramount is making a sincere effort to correct an honest mistake. So let's cut them some slack and go through the process of determining if new discs are needed for your box set. Then it's just a matter of sitting back and enjoying one of the greatest television series of all time which has been compiled in one great box set entitled "The Fugitive: The Complete Series."

fantastic series from episode 1 to the end arrived sealed and all dvds housed properly .I give it 10 out of 10 .dvd is a box collection and is value .

This set, gives you all 120 episodes, in all its original presentation, including original music cues. I mention the music cues, because, they were a mesmerizing part of the show. Music cues, were a big part of 50s and 60s tv shows. When done well, it blended in perfectly with the acting. I think The Fugitive did it best. As an example, the Rifleman, with Chuck Connors, was another great musically cued show. The video quality and sound is very good. David Janssen as the Fugitive, embodied the Dr. Richard Kimble character, perfectly. Barry Morse as the obsessed police lieutenant, after Kimble was equally satisfying. Although you don't see Bill Raiche as the one armed killer of Kimble's wife often, he makes every bit of screen time count. The first three seasons were filmed in black and white. The fourth in color. It wasn't until the mid 1960s that color tv sets, were becoming cheaper to produce and more of them. Most tv sets until that time were only able to give out black and white pictures. The show lost a little of it's film noir flavor, when it went to color in the 1966-67 season. All tv shows were made in color, after that. Yes, these shows are dated, but the brilliant acting by David Janssen, is something you have to see to appreciate. He was the most underrated, and under appreciated, actor in television at that time. This box set, will give you hours of enjoyment, to old fans of the show, and introduce the younger people to an era of outstanding television. P.S. The music cues in the fourth season, were mostly from old shows, like the 1963 Outer Limits, and The Invaders. They were great, too. The composer was Dominic Frontiere. Enjoy!

The most notable CLASSIC Television drama in the history of television. ROY HUGGINS created "THE FUGITIVE" in 1960 and the Manuscript sat in his desk drawer for over two years. LEONARD GOLDENSON, the new President of ABC Television Network was seeking a drama for his fledgling network. ABC was near bankruptcy. Mr. Goldenson's Programming executives and other executives were flat-out against "THE FUGITIVE". Mr. Goldenson had a vision and overruled his executives. On September 17, 1963, "Dr. Richard Kimble", wrongly convicted of murdering his wife, en route to Indiana State Prison to await execution, when the "Big Hand of Fate" moved. The train derailed, allowing Kimble to escape from "Lt. Phillip Gerard", the detective responsible for his conviction. For the next four years, "Dr. Kimble" was free . . . free to run, to hide, to search for the "One Armed Man" he had seen fleeing his home. "THE FUGITIVE" MADE DAVID JANSSEN an International Star. Mr. Janssen had been "hand-picked" by QUINN MARTIN, Executive Producer to be "DR. RICHARD KIMBLE". Mr. Martin selected British Actor BARRY MORSE for the role of "LT. PHILLIP GERARD", and BILL RAISCH to star as "FRED JOHNSON" (the One-Armed Man). Mr. Raisch had lost his left arm in WW II. DAVID JANSSEN appeared in nearly every scene in all 120 episodes. The series required numerous "on location" filming and a rigorous filming schedule. Mr. Janssen's unique acting skills garnered him international fame and his breathtakingly handsome features and gravelly voice brought him the love of millions of women fans around the world. Physically and mentally exhausted, Mr. Janssen decided to end his role after four long years. He refused substantial financial rewards to go "just one more year". On Tuesday, August 29, 1967, "THE DAY THE RUNNING STOPPED!", the second part of "THE JUDGMENT" aired, exactly four years to the day and hour "THE FUGITIVE" finale aired on ABC TV. It set a new Nielsen Rating record of 72% of all U. S. Households with televisions tuned in, an estimated 32 Million viewers. This record held until March of 1980. DAVID JANSSEN died of a massive heart attack on February 13, 1980. Although I was a devoted viewer of "THE FUGITIVE" for its last two seasons, and it is still in syndication on cable television networks, having "THE FUGITIVE" The Complete Series through Amazon, is a treasured possession. This is the complete series with the music of Pete Rugolo, a good friend of Mr. Janssen's, who also composed music for his previous hit series "Richard Diamond-Private Detective". Books about Mr. Janssen are also available through Amazon.

What a great trip down memory lane! The Fugitive was one of my favourite TV programmes when I was young and watching the series once again is wonderful. Yes, it all looks a bit dated now but 'back in the day' (to use modern parlance) this was an innovative and involving watch! With a much older and experienced eye I can now see all sorts of issues, most notably the duplication of locations and the repetition of the same footage used at the end of each programme showing Richard Kimble walking alone towards the next town, the next low-paid job and another invented name and background. It must be remembered, however, that in the 1960's there was no video, DVD or 'Catch-up' and therefore such issues were not of any significance as we had to wait a whole week to see the next episode and such things were not really noticed. I'm just over half way through watching this complete box set and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. The only thing I don't like is the introduction to each episode from series two onwards where part of the story is revealed right at the beginning. I do recall this from when I was younger and then, like now, I hum loudly and don't look at the screen to avoid picking up plot clues before I've even started watching the episode. Today I also have the option to fast forward the DVD disc! It's interesting to see again so many well known TV actors and notable film 'stars' such as Sandy Dennis, Warren Oates, Bruce Dern, Jack Weston, Robert Duvall, Angie Dickinson ...... and so many more. It's quite comical to see Kurt Russell as Lt. Gerard's (Barry Morse) son! David Janssen's performance is as restrained and taciturn as I recall and, for me, this is what makes his character so memorable. He had gravitas and a quiet and soulful dignity. I will be sorry to get to the end of this collection as it's a real treat for oldies like me. Like many box sets, it's a very good value for money purchase.

Great set, good overall compression, like most discs if you are not in Region 1 get a good R1 player, my cheapie deleted the odd field and it looked like 405 line TV!, so ripped them on my computer and looks great. Of course the show is very A-Typical of US 60's series and in paticular Quinn Martin, Man goes alone, meets woman, falls in love (sometimes) then escapes locals. its the same Stick as The Invaders.

A fantastic tv series that is timeless

Not much to say about this great classic series of Dr. Kimbel on the run. Picture quality in general is great. Only the first episode has a little of picture damage. Over 100 hours of good entertainment which started in 1963. First three seasons are in B/W and the final forth season is in color. At this price under 400 pesos a great bargain for a 32 DVD set. Highly recommended.

Product as described, although I didn’t see anywhere it said what region it was when I bought it, luckily I did have a multi regional DVD player, just had to dig it out of storage as I normally just use my ps3 to watch dvds. I love all the old American series it allows me to relive my past a little, really wish they’d bring midnight caller out on dvd (Gary Cole).