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The Twilight Zone: Vol. 1

The Twilight Zone: Vol. 1

List Price: $14.99
Your Price: $4.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Disapointing
Review: As most of the people who have reviewed this collection so far have rated it, at least, "better than average", I'm more than willing to admit that I've missed something. That being said, I've seen several episodes of TTZ, and these, well... calling them mediocre would be doing them a favor.

No doubt that the acting could be much, much worse, as the actors try to bring some credibility to these otherwise poorly executed episodes. The premises behind each episode are reasonable as well (two of them, anyway), and it's not like the writing is overtly bad.

These are stories, and the storytelling is lame. "The Invaders" could have been much better if it didn't try to be so literal visually. And I found that I couldn't care less for Art Carney's "forlon" Santa in "Night of the Meek"; total indifference for the lead character in what is mostly a character drama doesn't make for a satisfying experience.

These are just a bunch of average little tales, well acted, poorly produced, and impossible, for me, at least, to get any value from. If the nostalgia value alone does it for 'ya, then have at it, but otherwise, these won't do much. Spend your time elsewhere.

The one bright spot is the "Nothing in the Dark" (Robert Redford), but otherwise, this stuff is for hardcore fans to complete a collection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Enter the 5th dimension....
Review: Besides the TV Plays that you will buy this for, there are some DVD goodies (extras.):
Special "Inside the Twilight Zone" Section Written by Marc Scott Zicree
Biographical info on Rod Sterling
History of the Twilight Zone
Cast information
A season-by Season commentary

They claim to be digitally re-mastered yet there are still a few glitches and snow.

Episode 47 "Night of the Meek" December 23, 1961

As with short TV plays there is not real time for a buildup. Art Carney is an out of work person that plays Santa Claus. Because of his disappointment in life he indulges in libations. This leads to his dismissal as a store Santa. I will say not more as you are about to enter the twilight Zone.
Things had to move fast as there was only a half hour to complete the story.

Episode 51 "The Invaders" January 5, 1961

Agnes Moorhead is a woman living alone in an old farmhouse without any conveniences such as electricity. She is preparing supper when she hears a mysterious sound. Something appears to have hit the roof. She goes to investigate. I will say not more as you are about to enter the twilight Zone.
This episode thought well played seems to drag a bit as the woman is spending a lot of time searching around and licking her wounds. She says little (ok nothing) but conveys her part well. See Agnes Moorhead again when she has a lot to say in the movie "Dark Passage."

Episode 81"Nothing in the Dark" January 5, 1962

Long After the movie "Death takes a Holiday", in this episode death (Robert Redford) takes on the appearance of a wounded police officer.
Gladys Cooper plays an old woman afraid of Death. More than the scenario, of which we all know the eventual outcome, is the interaction between the two characters.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The first and best of Science Fiction Television
Review: First collection of shows from the 1959 to 1964 TV anthology by Rod Serling, which showcases both great acting and outstanding writing done by both Serling and frequent writer contributors like Richard Matheson and Charles Beaumont. Show put acting and writing ahead of any fancy special effect shots or cheap creature make-up work done (which is so commen on certain shows and films shown on a cable network today that shall remain nameless). Great first edition for anyone who likes the best of what television can offer.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good Start but not Great
Review: I disagree with the first one star review. But do agree that they could have done much better in choosing the episodes to kick off the series. The Invaders is a good episode but there are much better. Night of the Meek-Is ugly to look at and isn't the best episode. It should have been saved for a later disc. But the all-star on this disc is Nothing in the Dark. I will admit, I have many favorite episodes of the Twilight Zone, and this is one of them.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Only 3 Episodes?
Review: I love the Twilight Zone Series and have nearly every episode (about 150) on video tape. However, it seems silly that if you want to own the entire series on DVD you would need to buy 43 different volumes. Other TV series conveniently sell theirs by the season. The Sopranos sells about 15 hrs of footage per season in 1 box (with multiple DVDs). I find that method more convenient and it saves a ton of space on a book (or DVD) shelf.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Only 3 Episodes?
Review: I love the Twilight Zone Series and have nearly every episode (about 150) on video tape. However, it seems silly that if you want to own the entire series on DVD you would need to buy 43 different volumes. Other TV series conveniently sell theirs by the season. The Sopranos sells about 15 hrs of footage per season in 1 box (with multiple DVDs). I find that method more convenient and it saves a ton of space on a book (or DVD) shelf.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not THAT Bad
Review: I more or less agree with the first reviewer, but I don't believe 1 star is justified. "Nothing In The Dark" is the better episode of the bunch -- and is, thematically, Twilight Zone at its best -- uplifting, optimistic, and perhaps even a little too sentimental. Serling through and through.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Santa, Twist Endings and more are Just the Beginning
Review: Indelible episodes, NOTHING IN THE DARK and THE INVADERS have to be two of the most viewed stories from "The Twilight Zone." Gladys Cooper and Robert Redford give very credible performances in this story of 'Mister Death' knocking at the door penned by George Clayton Johnson. THE INVADERS is a classic episode in the true sense of "The Twilight Zone." Richard Matheson wrote a memorable story and Agnes Moorehead gave one of the greatest visual acting jobs of all time. Alfred Hitchcock would probably call this episode an example of 'pure cinema.' NIGHT OF THE MEEK is a great Christmas holiday episode. Art Carney plays a drunken department store Santa who comes across a magical Santa's sack that generates gifts for those that are needy. Filmed directly to videotape and written with great warmth by Rod Serling this is one of the best and loved episodes. This is a good cross-section of shows from this series.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: I rate it 10 out of 15.
Review: NIGHT OF THE MEEK = 4 STARS
I like the videotape look of this episode, it gives an earthly feel to it. Art Carney gives a very nice performance as a drunken Santa. It has a nice good uplifting feel when Santa finds "that bag." I think this is one very underated episode and I like the message of hope.

THE INVADERS = 2 STARS
I never been a big fan of this episode. I have always found the "The Invaders" lacking in pace. The whole episode has no dialogue and consists of an old lady running around knocking out wind-up toy robots (spacemen). Even the guys who created this episode did not like the way it turned out. The saving grace is the story of fear/isolation and the twist at the end.

NOTHING IN THE DARK = 4 STARS
Robert Redford plays the big nasty Mr.Death in this episode. This was a very well acted piece with great dialogue. The episode deals with our fear with the unknown wrapped around a nice little play involving 3 people.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: I rate it 10 out of 15.
Review: NIGHT OF THE MEEK = 4 STARS
I like the videotape look of this episode, it gives an earthly feel to it. Art Carney gives a very nice performance as a drunken Santa. It has a nice good uplifting feel when Santa finds "that bag." I think this is one very underated episode and I like the message of hope.

THE INVADERS = 2 STARS
I never been a big fan of this episode. I have always found the "The Invaders" lacking in pace. The whole episode has no dialogue and consists of an old lady running around knocking out wind-up toy robots (spacemen). Even the guys who created this episode did not like the way it turned out. The saving grace is the story of fear/isolation and the twist at the end.

NOTHING IN THE DARK = 4 STARS
Robert Redford plays the big nasty Mr.Death in this episode. This was a very well acted piece with great dialogue. The episode deals with our fear with the unknown wrapped around a nice little play involving 3 people.


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