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Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Series 1 - Complete [DVD]
 
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Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Series 1 - Complete [DVD]

DVD ~ Alfred Hitchcock
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
RRP: £34.99
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Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Series 1 - Complete [DVD] + Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Series 2 - Complete [DVD] + Alfred Hitchcock Presents : Complete Season 3 [1957] [DVD]
Total RRP: £104.97
Price For All Three: £39.24

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Product details

  • Directors: Alfred Hitchcock
  • Format: PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 6
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: Universal Pictures UK
  • DVD Release Date: 20 Feb 2006
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000E1P2Q2
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 10,277 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

When it premiered on CBS on October 2, 1955, Alfred Hitchcock Presents was an instant hit destined for long-term popularity. The series' original half-hour anthology format provided a perfect showcase for stories of mystery, suspense, and the macabre that reflected Hitchcock's established persona. Every Sunday at 9:30 p.m., the series began with the familiar theme of Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette" (which would thereafter be inextricably linked with Hitchcock), and as Hitchcock's trademark profile sketch was overshadowed by the familiar silhouette of Hitchcock himself, the weekly "play" opened and closed with the series' most popular feature: As a good-natured host whose inimitable presence made him a global celebrity, Hitchcock delivered droll, dryly sardonic introductions and epilogues to each week's episode, flawlessly written by James Allardyce and frequently taking polite pot-shots at CBS sponsors, or skirting around broadcast standards (which demanded that no crime could go unpunished) by humorously explaining how the show's killers and criminals were always brought to justice... though always with a nod and a wink to the viewer.

This knowing complicity was Hitchcock's pact with his audience, and the secret to his (and the series') long-term success. It's also what attracted a stable of talented writers whose teleplays, both original and adapted, maintained a high standard of excellence. Hitchcock directed four of the first season's 39 episodes, including the premiere episode "Revenge" (a fan favorite, with future Psycho costar Vera Miles) and the season highlight "Breakdown," with Joseph Cotten as a car-accident victim, paralyzed and motionless, who's nearly left for dead; it's a perfect example of visual and narrative economy, executed with a master's touch. (The fourth episode, "Don't Come Back Alive," is also a popular favourite, with the kind of sinister twist that became a series trademark.) Robert Stevenson directed the majority of the remaining episodes with similar skill, serving tightly plotted tales (selected by associate producers Joan Harrison and Norman Lloyd) by such literary greats as Ray Bradbury, Robert Bloch, Cornell Woolrich, Dorothy L. Sayers, and John Collier. Adding to the series' prestige was a weekly roster of new and seasoned stars, with first-season appearances by Cloris Leachman, Darren McGavin, Everett Sloane, Peter Lawford, Charles Bronson, Barry Fitzgerald, John Cassavetes, Joanne Woodward, Thelma Ritter, and a host of Hollywood's best-known character players. With such stellar talent on weekly display, Alfred Hitchcock Presents paved the way for Thriller, The Twilight Zone, and other series that maximized the anthology format's storytelling potential. --Jeff Shannon



Synopsis

The master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, was as prolific as he was brilliant, producing not only dozens of award-winning films, but also a few excellent television series'. 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', which won the Golden Globe Award for 'Television Achievement', was arguably the best of his small screen triumphs. Hosted by the man himself, the series offered viewers short audio-visual stories on a weekly basis, mixing the genres of horror, drama, suspense, and fantasy. The first series is collected here in its entirety.

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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Hoozah! Alfred Hitchcock Presents... finally on DVD, 28 Jul 2006
By Holy Smoke (Somewhere in Time) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)      
Being a long time fan of Hitch's films I was eager to see the famous T.V series that, unbelievably, gets no airing whatsoever on terrestrial or satellite television. This box sets brings together the entire first series (39 episodes) over 6 DVD discs, uniquely packaged so it won't take up much space on your shelf. All episodes look and sound great and are really enthralling. The stories are wonderfully shot and the acting is superb (esp. Vera Miles, Charles Bronson, Claude Rains and Hitch's daughter Pat). I'd recommend this to anyone who loves Hitch's films (they're like 39 mini ones) or who loves a good thriller story with a twist. Bring on season 2...
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Over fifty years old and aged beautifully, 31 May 2007
By Lando Malak "Dok" (Sheffield, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   
This is way before my time but when a programme is this good it matters not. I used to watch this sometime in the 1980's with my Dad and it was one of my favourite programmes at the time but it wasn't this series, it was a later one because I can remember it being in colour, but anyway the presentation and music (very uplifting for something so dark) was exactly the same as this. Although I can't really remember all of the stories from those colour episodes, there was one in particular that involved somebody accidentally being buried alive after a plan went wrong and it put me off ever wanting to be buried when I die.

I love the way this series is presented by Alfred Hitchcock, he was a national treasure and I particularly like his witty remarks before and after each episode I really hope they release every series of this on DVD, it would be a tragedy if it wasn't. At the time of writing, this as to be one of the best value for money DVD boxsets ever at (at the time of writing) just under £9. There are 39 episodes at roughly 23 minutes each and a good variety of stories all with some kind of twist at the end. I don't think that this is as well known as say for example The Twilight Zone (another classic that as aged beautifully) or to younger people like myself, but if you like that and anything similar, then even at over fifty years old (and as I have already mentioned this is way before my time) I would recommend this classic programme to anyone.

One last comment is that I am sorry to say to the person asking that there aren't any subtitles on this particular series which is wrong, as I think that they should be on all DVD's as standard but I am not sure about series 2 and whether they will be on the remaining series (if they are ever released), so fingers crossed.
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20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars AT LAST THE LEGENDARY TV SERIES OF MR H ON DVD!!!, 25 Feb 2006
By Choccycat "Cat" (London, England) - See all my reviews
Was looking for this WONDERFUL series on DVD for a while & now it's here! FORGET that these episodes are 50+ YEARS OLD and revel in TV of the highest order that will appeal to buyers of other intelligent sci-fi shows like the TWILIGHT ZONE (60s & 1985 series) and JOHNNY STACCATO (not on DVD officially anywhere, why not??). If you think pre 1965 B&W shows are flat & boring you're mistaken!

(Updated Apr 08) This first series has some great episodes, all introduced by cheeky comments by Mr H himself. Many future name guest stars inc John Cassavettes (Johnny Staccato) and Charles Bronson. Some of the episodes later in the set deviate from the mystery & suspense style & are a little disappointing, a few stories do not tie up very well leaving you stranded. Also 2 actors appear as different characters in different episodes very close to their first appearance, making credibility a little stretched if you watch one a day as I did! Some scenarios may initially look a bit dull to the modern viewer, but with any quality old show, it doesn't take long to see it for the quality it is!

Picture quality is fine for the age. The sound can be a bit poor due to the fact nowadays everything must be silent background with no hiss. This heavy-handed restoration mars mainly the intros though a few shows have poor distorted sound, but the best there is left. Most viewers with small TV speakers wouldn't notice, those of us with 15" speakers hear everything!

Will be buying all the series as they are released one per year. It'll take a long time: there are 7 series of the shorter format, then 3 seasons of the longer "Alfred Hitchcock Hour".
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars MYSTERY YET UNSOLVED
Hi, This is a great tv series, I want to buy them, but I'd like to know from anyone you have a copy, has this got any subtitles on it??
Thank you!
Published on 29 May 2007 by J. Alcazar

5.0 out of 5 stars classic tv
This is a fantastic tv series, with 39 'mini-movies' in crystal clear b&w. As with most tv series some of the episodes are absolute classics and some are mearly above average but... Read more
Published on 6 May 2007 by mickram23

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Nostalgia From The Master Of Suspense
It seems like another lifetime now in the late fifties & Early Sixties when we looked forward to our weekly dose of Hitchcock with his short stories. Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2007 by Mr. A. Craddock

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