Product description

MAS*H - The Martinis and Medicine Collection

Price: £159.58
RRP: £199.99
Average customer rating: 4.0

Binding : DVD
EAN : 5039036028523
Label : 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer : 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Publisher : 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Release date : 2006-10-30
Title : M*A*S*H - The Martinis and Medicine Collection
Actor : Array
Audience rating : Suitable for 15 years and over
Format : Array
Languages : Array
Number of items : 36
Region code : 2
Running time : 6331
Studio : 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
This M*A*S*H-tastic 36-disc collection is one for the television time capsule. It contains all 11 seasons of this multi-Emmy Award-winning series.

Adapted for television by legendary comedy writer Larry Gelbart, the series has long since supplanted Robert Altman's film in the public's consciousness. Life and death at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War doesn't seem like ripe fodder for a comedy series, but M*A*S*H masterfully balanced laughter and tears (less so in its later, more preachy seasons). It often does play better without a laugh track (a viewing option for all episodes). During its run, M*A*S*H survived several delicate operations, including the departure of Gelbart after season 4 and the loss of core ensemble members McLean Stevenson as Col. Henry Blake and Wayne Rogers as Trapper John (after season 3), Larry Linville as Frank Burns (after season 5) and Gary Burghoff (a veteran of the original film) as Radar (after season 8). The show thrived with the introduction of some new blood, Henry Morgan as "regular Army" Col. Potter and Mike Farrell as compassionate BJ (season 4) and David Ogden Stiers as elitist Charles Emerson Winchester III (season 6).

M*A*S*H was honored with the prestigious Peabody Award "for the depth of its humour and the manner in which comedy is used to lift the spirit and, as well, to offer a profound statement on the nature of war." This was a sitcom that did not always leave you laughing, as witness the classic season 3 episode "Abyssinia, Henry." And throughout its run, M*A*S*H broke the sitcom mould with several episodes, including "The Interview" (season 4), in which Clete Roberts interviews the staff of the 4077th, "Point of View" (season 7), subjectively seen through the eyes of a wounded soldier and "Life Time" (season 8), which unfolds in real time. M*A*S*H boasted one of television's greatest ensembles, fully embodied characters who each became icons, most notably Alan Alda, who served with distinction as Hawkeye, the series' soul and conscience. But a special salute to Loretta Switt, whose Margaret Houlihan went from "Hot Lips" to nobody's pushover. From the "Pilot" to the feature-length finale, "Goodbye, Farewell & Amen," still the most-watched episode in history, this essential (but not so much if you bought the individual season sets) collection honours one of television's greatest half-hours. --Donald Liebenson

Customer reviews

review by: Movie Buff ,Music Fanatic,Book worm, Religion Watcher date: 2008-06-27 rating:

WONDERFUL SERIES BUT ONLY ONE GRIP!
Nice collection. All shows included, the original movie, and a couple of "Extras" DVD's.

However, it is important for you to know that the MEGASet comes in a large binding book. All the DVD's are pushed into cardboard slots (a lot like the coin collector books). This means if you take the DVD's out a lot they are going to get scratched - EVEN If you are careful.

I have a soft, CD carrier that works very much the same, and I'm meticulous about not putting pressure on it. Still my CD's have gotten marred over the years using this.

If the DVD's were mounted on a spindle holder (like a normal case) this would be much much better. There is a reason that design was chosen, it protects the product.

If you just want these DVD's to sit on a shelf, okay then. But if you are going to use them, *****BE AWARE***** you may wind up damaging them. Put them in real cases as soon as you get them.

The cardboard slots are also quite tight, causing lots of pressure. And they have a tendency to break easily (the glue comes off, causing the DVD to slip down - more opportunity for scratching).

Highly recommended that you get a real storage system for this excellent collection.

Should also know that the original movie is provided in Widescreen format, whereas the TV series is provided in Full Frame.

review by: date: 2008-05-08 rating:

Should have been cheaper
I would love to have reviewed this product but Amazon failed to deliver on the deal from November 2007 which offered the product at £75. Now i get a message to say i can buy it at a much higher price.
Very kind but unfair and poor service.

review by: tiernon date: 2008-04-11 rating:

The most outstanding series ever made
From the first episode through to the finale, you know that you are watching a classic. Over the years, characters come and go, some are loveable, some you'll hate, some you'll love to hate.
This set is well presented and documented with a load of extras filling in the back stories.
In terms of writing and acting, much of it is great. Some episodes are below par, but bounce back with a few minutes of genious. It help to understand the torment of the situations and have an empathy with the characters.
I only have a few complaints and they are all managable.
The first 6(?) series have the laughter track as default. This is absolutely uneccessary as the timing of humour in this series is often juxtaposed with tradgedy. The laughter track detracts from the real purpose of the comedy.
The inclusion of the movie completes the set, however I would suggest that the two do not necessarily compliment each other. I have found it hard to enjoy the movie since watching the series. But that may be my problem, not that of other viewers.
We started watching this from episode one, averaging two or three a week week. It's been a great couple of years. I'll actually miss the characters.

review by: katkinson35 date: 2007-02-14 rating:

M*A*S*H*
This box set has everything. Whether you're a fan of MASH or not, you will enjoy watching - although it may take you some time! There are some excellent comic moments, which make the dramatic moments even more poignant. I challenge you not to wipe away tears of both sadness and laughter.

review by: date: 2007-01-12 rating:

The best sitcom ever?
This is the ultimate MASH box set. Not only does it contain the full 11 series of MASH but also an extra two disc of special features and the original MASH feature film (1 Disc Version), so no need to buy it separately. MASH was a consistently good programme, ranging from full on comedy episodes to some brilliant dramatic ones. You cant go wrong with this series and for a programme that ran for 11 seasons, remains suprisingly high quality throughout.

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