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Kung Fu: The Complete Series Collection |  | Actors: David Carradine, Radames Pera, Keye Luke, Philip Ahn, James Hong
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $114.82
Buy New: $70.99
as of 9/3/2010 20:41 CDT details
You Save: $43.83 (38%)
New (18) Used (6) from $59.00
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  90 reviews
Sales Rank: 3981
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Discs: 11
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Running Time: 60 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.2
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.7 x 3.3
MPN: 085391165378
UPC: 085391165378
EAN: 0085391165378
ASIN: B000X07TLA
Theatrical Release Date: October 14, 1972
Release Date: November 6, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
The adventures of Shaolin priest, Kwai Chang Caine, as he travels through the untamed Old West.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 90
 Great series worth watching, not the best DVD treatment August 21, 2010
Michael Demeritt (Castaic, CA USA)
I can not find words strong enough to support this great TV series. It is a must see. We gladly bought the three season package to share the experience with my two daughters, making a family summer of revisiting the series. The praise found in the reviews here speaks for the quality of the show. The quality of the DVD set, well that's a little frustrating. Here are the three big things you need to know about the collection, from big to huge:
BIG: Errors in old TV shows framing: Back then 480 resolution was all they had to deal with, now transfered to 1080p with modern black levels, shows this old often reveal things that were hidden from the audience when they first aired. Occasionally you see a powerline, or notice from cut-to-cut that the daylight was WAY lower earlier in the scene than later. All this can be corrected with relatively cheap CGI efforts, but no such effort was made on this collection.
BIGGER: No film restoration. In some cases the color correction is really bad, faded film, hairs in the transfer gate, spots and flickers that would have been treated and returned to original print quality in a more porperly restored version of the series are just left as is. You get the feeling they spun old prints through a transfer chamber and called it a day. Lazy work.
HUGE: Way back when Kung Fu was cancelled some lame brains at the network decided to air the last six shows out of order to capitalize on sweeps ratings, making the six story arc ending of the series occur with the last three preceding the first three. An easy fix, the DVD makers could have put the shows in the correct story order and list the air-dates on the insert material. They didn't, however, simpley following the air order instead of the intended story order. GOOD GRIEF. Fortunately, this can be fixed. When you get to the very last DVD of the series, watch the B-side first, then the A-side last, and you get the correct story arc. It is worth the effort to do this!!!!!!!
Sad about the lazy DVD work, but -- if this is how you have to get such a great show, the flaws are not bad enough that you should pass up the opportunity!
Insightful August 19, 2010
Jack Travis (NY NY)
Strong references to the problems we continue to face
today and after all of these years
- how to get along in this world with one another
both personally and politically
I find the episodes dated yet relevant
I am very satisfied with this product
 Precious Content... August 13, 2010
Thomas Haughton
The original "Kung Fu" series was my first introduction to Eastern religion and philosophy. It drew me to it like a magnet, and so after all these years I wanted to revisit what I found so endearing at the time--and I have not been disappointed. My one complaint is I wish they had done more to remaster/tweak the audio: The dialogue is often delivered (and rightly so) very softly, and so as I suspect will be the case with many folks my age and older, I have to turn up my TV beyond annoyance to others to understand everything--and in so doing the background music becomes intolerably loud. I've tried watching it on two different TV's switching back and forth between "mono" and "stereo," and even changing EQ settings to no avail. The soundtrack is monaural as was common at the time, but much can still be done... My gripe about the sound aside, again, I'd recommend this box set to anyone of any age. The stories and themes are timeless and can't be repeated often enough...
Kung Fu: THe Complete Colllection July 29, 2010
Nancy S. Kitchen
This is incredible! The action is great-The photography magnificant! The wisdom that come forth is superb. It has something for everyone. Teaching about true friendship, faith, and being true to your ideals no matter the cost! Self disapline and true strength. A video all families should watch together.I think all people, young and old, will enjoy this series.
A Classic, not to be missed July 16, 2010
Dean T. Sinclair (Louisiana)
I have just completed the entire three season series, including commentary tracks and special features. If you have any memories of this series, this is a wonderfully priced addition to your tv catalog; if you have heard of the series and want to check it out, this is still a great buy, because once you go through the first season you will want to finish the journey. I remember watching the show in the 70s, but because it has been syndicated so little (unlike say Star Trek), I really did not remember specific episodes, but only recalled the basic structure of the show. And that has been well described by other reviewers.
As to the series itself, in my humble opinion season one is good, with the show finding its legs. Season two is far and away the strongest, with important themes coursing through nearly every episode. Season three suffered from what other reviewers have pointed out was an increasing reliance on mystical/magical themes. Less commented on has been some of the really rough acting found in season three, including Barbara Hershey (Seagull) in a critical two parter directed by Caradine himself. His girlfriend at the time (and based on some later commentary the relationship may have been winding down even while they were filming) does not do a very good job in a critical role. And in the last four episodes which wind up the series, the Barrimore playing the son of Danny Caine really doesn't do a very good job in the role. These acting problems were nowhere in evidence in the second season. In addition, in season three the series moved away from the basic structure of the show, with its connected flashbacks tracking with the old west action. It's my belief that these changes/problems accelerated after Caradine announced it was all over, and they rushed their way to a series finale, which is beautiful, by the way, with Caradine using his last dance move to gracefully exit the stage.
To summarize: if you have any interest in this ground breaking series, you won't be disappointed. And if you have interest in it, you are really going to want to see the whole thing. Trust me.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 90
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