Tony Bensley
Senior HTF Member
THE MUNSTERS - Various DVD Incarnations:
Between 2004 and 2013, there have been numerous versions of THE MUNSTERS issued in both Season and Series sets. While these include PAL DVD sets that have been issued in the UK/Europe (Region 2) and in Australia (Region 4), for the sake of some semblance of simplicity, this item is limited to the Region 1, US Based DVD Releases.
Region 1 has seen the Release of two sets of each of THE MUNSTERS two individual seasons, and two of THE MUNSTERS: THE COMPLETE SERIES sets.
Since the meat of the content, that is the Episodes from each of the two seasons are consistent, in terms of quality and included content in all of the Region 1 DVD issues, the focus will be on the differing Bonus Features that are included with each. Some major structural differences, in terms of packaging and Discs will also be noted.
The Individual Seasons:
2004
Season 1: This inaugural DVD Release of THE MUNSTERS first season, while issued in reasonably (For the time!) compact cardboard packaging, the Discs themselves were unfortunately, of the Double Sided/Dual Layer variety. This led to some issues with freeze ups on some Episodes, and sometimes, complete unplayability!
Number Of Episodes: 38
Bonus Feature/s:
The Unaired Color Pilot Episode.
2005
Season 2: In addition to THE MUNSTERS second season also utilizing the temperamental Double Sided/Dual Layer DVDs, somebody had the bright idea of a Herman Munster Head "Flip the Lid" Design, which proved itself rather inconvenient, in terms of removing the already annoying Double Sided Discs, without incurring damage!
Number Of Episodes: 32
Bonus Feature/s:
America's First Family of Fright
Fred Gwynne: More Than a Munster
Yvonne De Carlo: Gilded Lady
Al Lewis: Forever Grandpa
2013
Season 1: Single Sided/Dual Layer DVDs that first replaced the previous Double Sided/Dual Layers on the 2008 Complete Series DVD set, are also used here. More convenient compact, staggered Digi-paks are also utilized.
Bonus Feature/s:
In addition to the Unaired Color Pilot, a Colorized version of the Episode "The Family Portrait" is also included.
Season 2: Ibid. See the 2013 Season 1 descriptor.
Bonus Feature/s:
In addition to the Bonus Features that were included on the 2005 Season 2 Release, the following are also included:
MUNSTER, GO HOME! (1966) - This Technicolor Feature Film is presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio, that was used in it's original Cinematic run.
THE MUNSTERS' REVENGE (1981) - This 1981 Made For TV Movie also served as a test for the viability of starting another Munsters' Series. P.S. It didn't work!
The Complete Series Sets:
2008
This is the set that not only replaced the Double Sided DVDs with Single Sided Discs, but also would feature much additional Bonus Material.
Number Of Episodes: 70
Bonus Feature/s:
In addition to the Unaired Color Pilot, a Colorized version of the Episode "The Family Portrait" is also included in the Season 1 Section.
In addition to the Bonus Features that were included on the 2005 Season 2 Release, the following are also included:
MUNSTER, GO HOME! (1966)
THE MUNSTERS' REVENGE (1981)
2013
A Reissue of the 2008 Complete Series Set that roughly coincided with a new issuing of the individual Season DVD Sets, that when combined, now contain all of the same Bonus Features as both of THE MUNSTERS: THE COMPLETE SERIES Releases.
Note: Three Episodes from Season 1; "The Sleeping Cutie," "Dance With Me, Herman" and "Far Out Munsters" all feature Music Replacements on each of the DVD Releases. As all three of these Episodes now include the Original Music for the Amazon.com downloads (But only accessible in the U.S. and its Territories!), wouldn't this be a perfect time to issue THE MUNSTERS Series on Blu-ray, and include these restored Episodes?
CHEERS!
Anthony Bensley
Between 2004 and 2013, there have been numerous versions of THE MUNSTERS issued in both Season and Series sets. While these include PAL DVD sets that have been issued in the UK/Europe (Region 2) and in Australia (Region 4), for the sake of some semblance of simplicity, this item is limited to the Region 1, US Based DVD Releases.
Region 1 has seen the Release of two sets of each of THE MUNSTERS two individual seasons, and two of THE MUNSTERS: THE COMPLETE SERIES sets.
Since the meat of the content, that is the Episodes from each of the two seasons are consistent, in terms of quality and included content in all of the Region 1 DVD issues, the focus will be on the differing Bonus Features that are included with each. Some major structural differences, in terms of packaging and Discs will also be noted.
The Individual Seasons:
2004
Season 1: This inaugural DVD Release of THE MUNSTERS first season, while issued in reasonably (For the time!) compact cardboard packaging, the Discs themselves were unfortunately, of the Double Sided/Dual Layer variety. This led to some issues with freeze ups on some Episodes, and sometimes, complete unplayability!
Number Of Episodes: 38
Bonus Feature/s:
The Unaired Color Pilot Episode.
2005
Season 2: In addition to THE MUNSTERS second season also utilizing the temperamental Double Sided/Dual Layer DVDs, somebody had the bright idea of a Herman Munster Head "Flip the Lid" Design, which proved itself rather inconvenient, in terms of removing the already annoying Double Sided Discs, without incurring damage!
Number Of Episodes: 32
Bonus Feature/s:
America's First Family of Fright
Fred Gwynne: More Than a Munster
Yvonne De Carlo: Gilded Lady
Al Lewis: Forever Grandpa
2013
Season 1: Single Sided/Dual Layer DVDs that first replaced the previous Double Sided/Dual Layers on the 2008 Complete Series DVD set, are also used here. More convenient compact, staggered Digi-paks are also utilized.
Bonus Feature/s:
In addition to the Unaired Color Pilot, a Colorized version of the Episode "The Family Portrait" is also included.
Season 2: Ibid. See the 2013 Season 1 descriptor.
Bonus Feature/s:
In addition to the Bonus Features that were included on the 2005 Season 2 Release, the following are also included:
MUNSTER, GO HOME! (1966) - This Technicolor Feature Film is presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio, that was used in it's original Cinematic run.
THE MUNSTERS' REVENGE (1981) - This 1981 Made For TV Movie also served as a test for the viability of starting another Munsters' Series. P.S. It didn't work!
The Complete Series Sets:
2008
This is the set that not only replaced the Double Sided DVDs with Single Sided Discs, but also would feature much additional Bonus Material.
Number Of Episodes: 70
Bonus Feature/s:
In addition to the Unaired Color Pilot, a Colorized version of the Episode "The Family Portrait" is also included in the Season 1 Section.
In addition to the Bonus Features that were included on the 2005 Season 2 Release, the following are also included:
MUNSTER, GO HOME! (1966)
THE MUNSTERS' REVENGE (1981)
2013
A Reissue of the 2008 Complete Series Set that roughly coincided with a new issuing of the individual Season DVD Sets, that when combined, now contain all of the same Bonus Features as both of THE MUNSTERS: THE COMPLETE SERIES Releases.
Note: Three Episodes from Season 1; "The Sleeping Cutie," "Dance With Me, Herman" and "Far Out Munsters" all feature Music Replacements on each of the DVD Releases. As all three of these Episodes now include the Original Music for the Amazon.com downloads (But only accessible in the U.S. and its Territories!), wouldn't this be a perfect time to issue THE MUNSTERS Series on Blu-ray, and include these restored Episodes?
CHEERS!
Anthony Bensley