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M*A*S*H - Martinis and Medicine Complete Collection 
Actors : Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, McLean Stevenson, Gary Burghoff, Larry Linville
Studio : 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Brand : MASH
Release Date : 2006-11-07
Publisher : 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 36
EAN : 0024543383055
UPC : 024543383055
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 177 reviews)
List Price : $199.98
Our Price : $107.59
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Product Description |
Contains all eleven seasons of the television show M*A*S*H.
Genre: Television
Rating: NR
Release Date: 7-NOV-2006
Media Type: DVD |
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Americancivilwar.com |
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This M*A*S*H-tastic 36-disc collection is one for the television time capsule. It contains all 11 seasons of this multi-Emmy Award-winning series, PLUS Robert Altman's 1970 iconoclastic anti-war classic, PLUS two discs of special features, including two reunion specials and a series retrospective episode of A&E's Biography. As with the individual season sets, there are no new episode commentaries, a major disappointment. But M*A*S*H-ophiles will enjoy this set's other bonus features, including emotional behind-the-scenes footage of the filming of the last half-hour episode, "As Time Goes By," the inevitable bloopers, interviews with cast members as well as fans about their favorite episodes, a segment about the series' "Jocularity," a parade of PSAs (cut down on salt to avoid heart disease), and the text of an unproduced script penned by Alda for an episode titled, "Hawkeye on the Double." All of this material (except for a commemorative booklet) is available elsewhere in different configurations, but this space-saving (albeit ungainly packaged) box set collects them all under one tent. Adapted for television by legendary comedy writer Larry Gelbart, the series has long since supplanted Altman's film in the public's consciousness. Life and death at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War doesn't seem like ripe fodder for a comedy series, but M*A*S*H masterfully balanced laughter and tears (less so in its later, more preachy seasons). It often does play better without a laugh track (a viewing option for all episodes). During its run, M*A*S*H survived several delicate operations, including the departure of Gelbart after season 4 and the loss of core ensemble members McLean Stevenson as Col. Henry Blake and Wayne Rogers as Trapper John (after season 3), Larry Linville as Frank Burns (after season 5) and Gary Burghoff (a veteran of the original film) as Radar (after season 8). The show thrived with the introduction of some new blood, Henry Morgan as "regular Army" Col. Potter and Mike Farrell as compassionate BJ (season 4) and David Ogden Stiers as elitist Charles Emerson Winchester III (season 6). M*A*S*H was honored with the prestigious Peabody Award "for the depth of its humor and the manner in which comedy is used to lift the spirit and, as well, to offer a profound statement on the nature of war." This was a sitcom that did not always leave you laughing, as witness the classic season 3 episode "Abyssinia, Henry." And throughout its run, M*A*S*H broke the sitcom mold with several episodes, including "The Interview" (season 4), in which Clete Roberts interviews the staff of the 4077th, "Point of View" (season 7), subjectively seen through the eyes of a wounded soldier and "Life Time" (season 8), which unfolds in real time. M*A*S*H boasted one of television's greatest ensembles, fully embodied characters who each became icons, most notably Alan Alda, who served with distinction as Hawkeye, the series' soul and conscience. But a special salute to Loretta Switt, whose Margaret Houlihan went from "Hot Lips" to nobody's pushover. From the "Pilot" to the feature-length finale, "Goodbye, Farewell & Amen," still the most-watched episode in history, this essential (but not so much if you bought the individual season sets) collection honors one of television's greatest half-hours. --Donald Liebenson |
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Nice collection-but a few problems |
First: It's nice to be able to get all eleven seasons (including the finale), the original movie, and two discs of bonus material.
However.
The binder for the discs is ungainly and doesn't protect the discs *at all*. In fact, it leaves them very susceptible to scratches. If you plan on watching these discs often, invest in individual cases in order to protect them.
Secondly, the bonus material is in need of clean-up. With all the ways older material can be digitally restored nowadays, having the bonus material cleaned up would be a good idea.
On the subject of digital cleanup, it's evident through long-term syndication that M*A*S*H is going to endure as popular viewing material. Cleaning up each episode digitally (especially visually, as some episodes have a lot of film tracks and pops) and presenting it in a high definition format would be fantastic for those people who have the higher-end television sets nowadays.
Finally, I'm rather annoyed that seasons 1-4 don't have a "Play All" function. If Fox ever gets around to doing a digital clean-up, I hope this gets remedied. |
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ALL MASH FANS MUST OWN |
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Comes well packaged. All MASH fans should have and this is the nicest way by having it all in a special package. |
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Damaged goods |
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Multiple disks damaged. DVD's out of slots in container, sliding around in shipment. Over half of DVD's unwatchable due to skips, jumps, hangs from scratches. |
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makes a good gift |
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made the perfect gift for my guy but the package didnt look like the picture |
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It's funny how things change. |
When I was a child I absolutely detested this show. There was something
so dark, so colorless, and so bleak about it. I preferred to watch the
brightly lit, Disney-esquire "Bewitched" and other shows instead. The
theme music also depressed me. I tried watching it, but I could never
finish it --- something about it just made me feel sad.
I'm 34 now, and I am of the opinion that "MASH" is perhaps the greatest
American sitcom in television history. (Ironically, even though I still
moderately like "Bewitched," it just doesn't hold up that much
anymore.) Three years ago I became very close with someone whom I
immediately adopted as the little brother I never had. His favorite
show was "MASH," and after several attempts to get me to watch an
episode with him, I finally relented and sat down to watch the pilot.
It was okay. Then he begged me to watch another, and another, and
another. Begrudgingly, I did. However, I noticed that after a few
episodes I actually started to enjoy it. Eventually, I became totally
hooked on it.
When I was a child I was too young to understand the dynamics and the
concept of this series. All I wanted back then was the Muppets,
cartoons, monsters, and Disney films. Now, as an adult, I recognize
what the show means to our culture. Not only is it written in a
razor-sharp style, but the balance of comedy and tragedy is executed
brilliantly. Also, I used to live in South Korea and Japan, where I
taught English as a Second Language, and I noticed in several episodes
that the writers "did their homework" in regards to the culture of
Korea. Even though I wasn't in Korea in the 50s, this element drew me
into the show even more. With every episode I watched I thought of my
time in Korea. And although every series sooner or later "jumps the
shark," this one had hands down the best final episode of any series in
TV history.
Now I am about to collect the entire series, and try to hunt down its
less successful spin-offs "AfterMASH" and the "WALTER" episode. I have
more memories associated with this show now, memories of a friendship
that unfortunately no loner exists. Even though he and I called it
quits, I will always think of my past friend and my experiences living
in Korea when I see this show. (In fairness, however, I'm sure I got
him hooked on "The X Files.") It's funny how things change. Or perhaps
things have actually stayed the same and it is myself that has changed.
Nonetheless, for several reasons (some personal and others not) I will
always treasure this outstanding series. If you don't like it at first,
give it a second chance. I did. It now ties with "Roseanne" as being my
all-time favorite sitcom. |
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