Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Good M*A*S*H // Bad DVD
At long last - M*A*S*H on DVD. Many of us have never seen M*A*S*H episodes unedited, or it has been nearly 20 years since we have. That is the allure of this (and future) sets of M*A*S*H on DVD. The big draw of DVD's, in addition to the Sound and Picture Quality, are the "Extras". Other than the ability to take out the laugh tracks (Yes!), this has none. There are no cast interviews, no bloopers, no Director's/Producers/Writers Commentary, not even Cast Biographies. Even the insert is rather plan and has nothing extra to it. The episode description look as though they were written by some one who hadn't even watched the show. I was hoping for more when the DVD's came out. Like the book "Complete Book of M*A*S*H" was not complete in it's fullest sense by leaving out that which would have made it truly complete (the secondary story lines, etc.), this is not complete in the DVD's fullest sense...the extras we've all come to expect in them. In that respect I am disappointed. But I am not disappointed in having a whole season on only 3 DVD's! I am not disappointed in the quality of the sound and picture (much better than the Video's from Columbia House and the Broadcast versions). For the episodes themselves, M*A*S*H has never been better, more convenient, and funnier (thanks to long edited scenes rarely seen in syndicated TV)! If you've only seen M*A*S*H in syndication, by this set and hold on to your sides. They may just split from laughing!
Rating:  - At last, I can see all the episodes IN ORDER!
I am delighted beyond description that this series is coming out on DVD !!! This is my wife's all-time favorite TV show, both because she is a retired nurse, and because it's a sit-com with some real depth to it. We've just about memorized every episode and we still laugh together every time we watch. What we've been watching, however, are a bunch of old VHS tapes that we recorded off the TV back in the mid-80s, which range in quality from pretty good to abysmally snowy, depending on what the reception was like that day in rural Minnesota. (No, we don't have cable out here...) Our homemade tapes are the uncut episodes as aired by a local station, but they are all badly out of order and we are missing a few episodes. So, it will be wonderful to see MASH uncut, in order, with no commercials and in DVD quality. I ordered my Season 1 set today and I do hope that the other 10 seasons come out on DVD very soon. I plan to collect them all.
Rating: - S*M*A*S*H
Based on the cynical, political, and satirical Robert Altman (THE PLAYER, GOSFORD PARK) film of the same name, the television series was the best television of its time. The series is a unique re-imagining of the film. Ironically, it had greater focus as the film did meander and had little to no storyline, just events. The film was also an ensemble piece where the television series did put most of its focus on Benjamin Franklin 'Hawkeye' Pierce, (Alan Alda in a Groucho Marx interpretation.)This DVD set presents the entire first season uncut and unedited. It is interesting to watch the series find itself, even with a few episodes where the opening theme is changed. The characters change, come and go. For example, "Spearchucker" Jones unceremoniously disappears while supporting role Corporal Clinger ends up returning and eventually becomes a regular. Radar O'Reilly is the only major character that is played by the same performer as the film (Gary Burghoff). And his character is another example of the series finding itself. He starts off as more of a troublemaker, always deeply involved with Hawkeye's shenanigans. Later he becomes more timid and his character becomes more innocent, teddy bear always waiting for him in his bunk. So, if you are a fan of the series, this complete first season is a great offering. Larry Gelbart creates a miracle series, unique from the film, but carrying over its cynicism. Although, it is difficult to watch more than one or two at a sitting as they start to run together. Watch for A BEAUTIFUL MIND director Ronny Howard as a young patient in the "Hear a bullet" episode.
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