Gunsmoke - The Directors Collection | 
| Directors: Antony Ellis, Clyde Ware, Gary Nelson, Harry Horner, John Dunkel
Actors: James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis, Dennis Weaver
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $36.98
Buy New: $22.90
You Save: $14.08 (38%)
New (27) Used (12) from $16.79
Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 35620
Format: Subtitled, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 3
Running Time: 585 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.6 x 1
MPN: PARD871444D
UPC: 097368714441
EAN: 0097368714441
ASIN: B000H7JCHI
Theatrical Release Date: September 10, 1955
Release Date: November 14, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 11/14/2006
Amazon.com
As a splendid sampler of standout episodes from the 20-season history of Gunsmoke, this well-chosen Directors Collection is a bona fide treasure. Fans of the long-running Western series will appreciate the archival care that went into this set: Not only does it provide a comprehensive overview of the series' evolution (from original radio shows to one-hour color episodes from the 1960s and '70s), but it also delivers a priceless abundance of oral TV history in the form of audio commentaries, some recorded by series stars and directors (like Dennis Weaver, a.k.a. "Chester") shortly before their death. The fact that this set "is dedicated with love to Dennis Weaver from his Gunsmoke family at CBS" indicates the deep affection that Gunsmoke inspired among cast, crew, and fans alike. This set gathers 15 episodes on three DVDs, with disc 1 containing seven episodes in the black-and-white, half-hour format that Gunsmoke maintained for its first six seasons (1955-61). Discs 2 and 3 contain four one-hour episodes each, culled from subsequent seasons (with disc 3 containing full-color episodes from seasons 14, 16, 17, and 20). Picture and sound quality is remarkably good, although some of the earliest episodes have a slightly grainy look that's common to DVD transfers of TV episodes of this vintage (like Have Gun, Will Travel). The Directors Collection is a showcase for rookies and veterans alike whose filmmaking careers were boosted by Gunsmoke. Andrew V. McLaglen (who directed 95 episodes, far more than anyone else) is represented by season 8's "US Haggens," and his commentary is a highlight of the set. The episode commentaries (by John Rich, Arthur Hiller, Dennis Weaver, McLaglen, Mariette Hartley, and Harry Harris Jr., Mark Rydell, and Peter Graves--brother of series star James Arness) offer a wealth of Gunsmoke history, and while Hartley (a rising star in the early '60s) did not direct the eighth-season episode "Cotter's Girl," her commentary with director Harris is a real treat, as they playfully argue over their memories of the episode's production. Gunsmoke's excellent writing is evident throughout, including the third-season episode "How to Kill a Woman," written by David S. (Sam) Peckinpah, who would soon begin his own illustrious directorial career. Additional special features include four original CBS broadcasts of the Gunsmoke radio show (which starred William Conrad as Marshall Matt Dillon, the role played on TV by James Arness); an eight-minute interview with Amanda "Miss Kitty" Blake, from The Mike Douglas Show; a excerpt from a soundtrack scoring session, and a clip from Have Gun, Will Travel featuring Ken Curtis, who played "Festus" on Gunsmoke. Taken as a whole, the episodes and special features of The Directors Collection qualify as one-stop shopping for the best that Gunsmoke had to offer. --Jeff Shannon
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Gunsmoke June 23, 2009
Spoonleg (Eureka,CA USA)
For all you youngsters out there Gunsmoke started in Sep 1955 and continued for 20 yrs until Mar 1975 It was in first place for much of that time and outlasted all other westerns.The indoor action is in the Long Branch Saloon owned by Kitty (Amanda Blake)Although most action takes place outdoors.James Arness was Marshal Dillon with Milburn Stone as the Doctor and Dennis Weaver as Chester,Dillons side kick.It was a well put together series and believable.Like no shooting 21 shots out of a sixshooter without reloading or shooting the gun out of the baddies hand at full gallop. If you like westerns you will get along with this one nicely.
Portend of things to come March 24, 2008
BVT (Paranaque City Philippines)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Gunsmoke Directors collection is something to be had by all the series' fans. It covers the 20-year period that the show was on air. One can see a beautiful and young Kitty in the 1st season age gracefully in the color seasons. Amanda Blake is one beautiful lady, no matter what age she's at. The color seasons (3rd disc) had Mannon and this bridges the gap, ties the loose end and makes viewers connect better with the TV movie - Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge produced nearly 20 years later. For this alone, I give this set 5 stars. This set provides a pleasing 20-year time travel through the Gunsmoke franchise. Utterly highly recommended for fans and non-fans. I hope CBS releases the Color Seasons at the same time they are releasing the BW seasons.
Gunsmoke the directors edition December 12, 2007
Clifford J. Hines (Gainesville Fl. USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a must see DVD if you are a big fan of Gunsmoke! I enjoy the black and white editions the most, however all of them are great!With this DVD set you get to see Matt, Kitty, Doc, Chester, and Festus evolve!! I highly recommend this to everyone, young or not so young who enjoy truly great westerns
 Some episodes disappointing December 8, 2007
Alice J. Capen
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
The disappointing thing about the color episodes of this DVD set, especially the last two, is that they revolve around characters I couldn't really give a dang about, and they're borderline sappy. After watching those types of episodes I wondered what the point was to have them produced. Am I supposed to be impressed with the lineup of celebrities from other shows? They wouldn't be too bad if the shows were called something other than Gunsmoke. Absolutely nothing about these shows had anything recognizable as being a part of Gunsmoke, and when I purchase a show series, I would like a regular showing of the characters the series is supposed to revolve around.
If I had been the producer of that T.V. series I would not have allowed any shows to be created that were completely void of the original characters.
Was the original cast on strike during the filming? If not, then what was the producers' lame excuse?
I guess I'm one of those nutjobs who, when watching an episode of Gunsmoke, actually want to see the characters of Gunsmoke. I guess I'm just weird that way.
I also hate it when the color episodes that are supposed to depict historic times reproduce modern fashion garbage of the 1960/70's for makeup and hair on women in the 1870's. Many movies and shows are guilty of that. It irritates me.
So far I find the older black and white episodes better. They keep the original spirit of the show. They also reflect the excellent radio series originally broadcasted in the 1950's to early 60's (I have a copy of the entire series on an MP3 disk). Too many of the newer color ones look as if the producers were trying to start an Old West style soap opera or a new offshoot series.
 Gunsmoke: Directors Cut July 27, 2007
Ralph Chavarria
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Great overview of the Gunsmoke series from start to finish. Picture is perfect, better than when first aired on t.v. Bought it mainly for one episode with parnell roberts ('57) "To Kill A Woman". Will probably buy the first season later on.
|
|
|
