Average Rating: 
Rating:  - At last, it's here!
Finally, Fox has put this together... 612 minutes, all twenty-four episodes of the first season (1972-1973). As one of those who originally took Time-Life up on their video tapes subscription, buying two "random" episodes per tape , I am MUCH relieved to see this... and see that there are already plans for more (next season is to be released in May 2002 according to the insert); I only wish they would finish them sooner! But here it is, great quality and in broadcast order!My /only/ complaint about the DVD is that the menues feel a bit more cumbersome than I think they need to be (select the episode, then the scene and option selections are inside each of those) rather than being a bit more "top down." For example, you should be able to turn off the laugh track or set options from a main menu or something, rather than inside each episode (though those options apparently "stick" between episodes). I'd also like to be able to advance to the next or previous episodes from inside each episode. It would have also been nice if they would have included some bonus material with it (eg. history, episode summaries on the menu, cast/crew interviews, commentary, etc), but this is still a great value without it. (guess that's probably a good idea for them for the inevitable re-release from them on-down-the-line)
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: - Brilliant
Like other reviewers, my collection of this classic television series was comprised of fuzzy VHS recordings (my previous VCR ate of the tapes several years ago, causing much consternation in my home that evening). Simply put, M*A*S*H was one of the best shows ever put on television (in my opinion, the best sit-com of all time and the best show of any kind of the 1970's), and the digital format forever lays to rest the possibility that my VCR will destroy my cherished episodes. Twenty-four episodes--all of season one--are packed into this three-disc set, and the price is very reasonable. Without the commercials, the episodes are about 22 minutes each and are uniformly excellent, packed with great comedic moments as well as touching sadness as these brilliant actors and writers brought home the Korean war with humor, humility and powerful insight. Although all the years of M*A*S*H are worth watching, the first few might be a bit stronger because of the comedy value. This set is definitely worth owning, and the liner notes indicate that Season Two will be released in several months. I can't wait.
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