If you flip through the DVDs at any dollar store, you’ll find several episodes of Bonanza in a variety of packaging. Feet of Clay, The Last Viking, Bitter Water, The Spanish Grant, — thirty-one episodes from the first two seasons (out of 66 if I did the math right) have been mixed and matched and released in everything from 4 episode editions up to a full 34 pack. (They cheated and added a few Wagon Trains to bring up the count.)
But what we have never had is a full, official, in order, DVD set of this classic series — until now. On September 15, 2009, CBS Home Entertainment is releasing Bonanza: The Official First Season in two volumes and it’s about time.
Bonanza is unlike any other Western. The main cast of five often rotated through the series, focusing on one Cartwright plus a sterling guest roster. The writing was immaculate, from comical episodes such as The Hayburner and Hoss and the Leprechauns, to the heartwrenching The Courtship and the action packed Honor of Cochise.
According to Video Business Magazine, this set will come with special features and an alternate pilot but this information isn’t on the Amazon listing, so we’ll have to wait and see.
With fourteen seasons under their belt, Bonanza was one of the longest running drams in TV history. Check out this DVD set and you’ll know why.
Tue, Aug 11, 2009
TV on DVD