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Product Description
All 23 episodes from the second season of the 1970s series set in the 1870s, starring David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine, a half-Chinese, half-American Shaolin priest and humble man of peace now living in the Wild West. Episodes are: 'The Well', 'The Assassin', 'The Chalice', 'The Brujo', 'The Spirit Helper', 'The Squaw Man', 'The Salamander', 'The Tong', 'The Soldier', 'The Hoots', 'The Elixir', 'The Gunman', 'Empty Pages of a Dead Book', 'A Dream Within a Dream', 'The Way of Violence Has No Mind', 'In Uncertain Bondage', 'Night of the Owls, Day of the Doves', 'Crossties', 'The Passion of Chen Yi', 'The Arrogant Dragon', 'The Nature of Evil', 'The Cenotaph (Part 1)' and 'The Cenotaph (Part 2)'.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I am of the generation who were in their formative years when the TV series first aired in the UK. Kwai Chang Caine was a guide and mentor during the years he screened, and although the school bully taught me that I was in no way able to emulate the physical prowess of Caine, his philosophies of forgiveness and avoiding confrontation and revenge never failed. In the end the same bully who had left me in no doubt who was physically stronger became a friend and protector rather than an enemy.
Thirty years later, my memories of the original stories are scant, yet I was still determined to buy the DVD to find out whether time had rendered the stories dated and corny. It has not. The stories are still fresh, the dialogue no more dated than it was in 1973 (it is after all set in a much more distant past) The picture quality is superb, far ahead of my expectations, and the DVD's are tremendous value, with a total of over 30 episodes.. 23 hours worth of Caine for less than £60.
Anyone who remembers the series, buy it, anyone too young to, still buy it. The best entertainment money can buy.
95/100 and marks only deducted for some corny acting from some of the guest stars.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By H. Josson
Format:DVD
This is a terrifically differnt show and one of the few highlights of '70s American TV (with 'Columbo' and 'Night Gallery'). Well worth watching and deserving of a release on DVD. Unfortunately, these episodes are scanned to simulate a wide screen. They were originally shot in the academy ratio, 3 by 4, which is what most TV up to the mid '90s was shot on and fit the traditional size of TVs through the decades. It's also the ratio of the vast amount of movies made until the mid '50s. To make it relevant to today's audiences and their wide-screen TVs, they have cut out huge swathes of the image on the top and bottom - possibly as much as 30%, maybe more. Imagine having an large photo, which measures 4 by 3 and then sticking two black cardboard tapes to mask the top and bottom part of the image to give it an elongated shape. For a show that was composed by it's creators to fill in a different size and for which it won Emmys for it's photography and direction, this is an utterly shameful act of corporate vandalism, akin to the way they cut 40 minute 'Night Gallery' episodes down to half an hour for syndication purposes. Don't buy this, find another way of getting your hands on it, until they grow up and release it as it's makers intended.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
Kung Fu is one of the few series from the 1970's that hasn't dated badly. There are one or two weak episodes but mostly they are well conceived and entertaining. For me the triumph of the show is the philsophy of Kwai Chang Caine, A Shaolin priest who carries a sense of balance and harmony through all adverse situations. There is a wisdom to the morals and ethics in this series that should be learned by children and adults alike.
Extras (region one only) - This region two release has no extras like the region one version. This is a great pity as these consisted of two commentaries by David Carradine and a discussion documentary. There are some good extras planned for the series three release, and if they are not included on the region two version I shall seriously consider getting the region one release instead.
Widescreen (region two only) - The region two release is in widescreen, converted from its original 4:3 aspect. This means they have chopped off some of the top and bottom of the original image to fit your widescreen tv. The region one release is in the original aspect (4:3), but if, like me, you have a widescreen tv, and you find you can't watch a square box in the middle of your screen with lines either side; or you think that 'smart mode' simply distorts everything to fill the whole widescreen, you'll want to get the region two widescreen version for sale here.
The picture quality and sound are superb, the colours are vibrant and well restored, much better than the prints that were broadcast on television a few years ago. If you are a fan, you will want to ditch those videos!
It's just a shame that you are having to choose between extras (region one) or widescreen (region two) in buying this series. Lets have region two widescreen releases with all the extras please.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Before buying I read other customer reviews including one from wtdk which mentioned the interesting featurette 'Zen and Now' , and the Carradine commentaries accompanying 2 of the episodes.
Having bought, in part, on the strength of the reviews , I would like to know why NONE of these extras appear on the dvd's that I bought?
That said, I must add that I have enjoyed what IS on them tremendously - which makes it all the more frustrating!
Having bought, in part, on the strength of the reviews , I would like to know why NONE of these extras appear on the dvd's that I bought?
That said, I must add that I have enjoyed what IS on them tremendously - which makes it all the more frustrating!
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By "woolly5"
Format:DVD
I Loved this series when I was a teenager in the 70`s and I was a bit apprehensive that it would seem a bit dated now.
My fears were completely unfounded, his philosophies and `one liners` are just as thought provoking as I remember them.....I love it.
My fears were completely unfounded, his philosophies and `one liners` are just as thought provoking as I remember them.....I love it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By J. McGregor
Format:DVD
Like a number of other reviewers I remember "Kung Fu" as a young boy growing up in the seventies, but I decided to buy this series because of delving into "Kung Fu" from the point of view of philosophy and then memories of my early years and "Caine" came back. Looking at them now as an adult, I am amazed at their depth and content, all of which, of course, went over my head as a boy. There is wisdom to be gained in every episode, word and deed; and always a one-line gem to be found somewhere. It was a great series, unlike anything on t.v. at the time.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
As with the other seasons, it's matter of fascination with the...
As I said previously, "Kung Fu" changed my life, and seeing it repeated on CBS TV has given me even greater insight into why it helped me back in 1973, and my respect for... Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Cook
1.0 out of 5 stars
Missing Episodes
I bought this some time ago along with seasons one and three. Unfortunately the last two episodes are missing- ( The cenotapath parts 1 and 2) seemingly not recorded onto the disc. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. W. Harding
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kung Fu - Season 2 [DVD]
I bought this item for my father for Christmas, and he has enjoyed watching and re-watching the series. He liked it the first time it was on TV.
Published 14 months ago by sean
4.0 out of 5 stars
Amzing Series
Well, i wrote a review on the "Season 1 pack", and i stay by it, really amazing series.
The main reason i dont give the "Season 2 pack" 5 stars as i gave to the "Season 1... Read more
The main reason i dont give the "Season 2 pack" 5 stars as i gave to the "Season 1... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Nuno Silva
5.0 out of 5 stars
Subtitles?
Kung Fu season 1 has the following
subtitles: Croatian, Portuguese, French, Turkish, Arabic, Romanian, Czech, Greek, Dutch, Slovene, English, Bulgarian ???? Read more
subtitles: Croatian, Portuguese, French, Turkish, Arabic, Romanian, Czech, Greek, Dutch, Slovene, English, Bulgarian ???? Read more
Published 17 months ago by MacGyver
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Series if you are interesting in Zen/Buddhist philosophy.
As series two followed from series one, I felt that the whole feeling of this series started to find its feet and seemed to get deeper into the philosophy. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Derek Ayre
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
"The body may need to fight, but the mind must remain in peace"
This and many other teachings, based on respect to truth and nature, are what is needed in these troubled times... Read more
This and many other teachings, based on respect to truth and nature, are what is needed in these troubled times... Read more
Published on 29 April 2011 by kalhas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Old chinese teachings (Shaolin)
Well worth watching again - ahead of its time in the 80's (or was it 70's?).
There is a great wisdom in the teachings and it is good to see a hero who is not actually trying... Read more
There is a great wisdom in the teachings and it is good to see a hero who is not actually trying... Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2010 by R. L. Armitage
4.0 out of 5 stars
Blast from the past
Just a sentimental look at an old favorite that seems to have lasted up better than some from the same era. Read more
Published on 13 Oct 2010 by The Colonel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!.
This series has not dated in any way. A must have box set for any collection.
Published on 18 Sep 2010 by Jardine
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