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From Amazon.co.uk
With a catchy Mike Post theme song, The Rockford Files began each week with a new message on Rockford's telephone answering machine, usually a humourous indication that Rockford's life was always in some kind of financial disarray. James Garner played this angle to the hilt, portraying Rockford as a nice guy who knew all the scams and wasn't above using them if it aided his case. His portrayal, and the show's excellent writing, attracted a wide variety of new and established guest stars, and these episodes feature appearances by Joseph Cotten, James Woods, Sharon Gless, Lindsay Wagner, James Cromwell, Suzanne Somers, Ned Beatty, and others, along with lesser-known but familiar TV regulars like Sian Barbara Allen and Mills Watson, all adding flavor to a series that was routinely hailed by mystery writers as one of the best private-eye shows in TV history. The Rockford Files is a bona fide treat, setting the tone for even better episodes that followed in subsequent seasons. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
All 23 episodes of the classic American television detective drama series, starring James Garner as Jim Rockford, the laid-back ex-con turned private investigator. In this series, a young man hires Jim to solve the murder of his parents, Jim helps a journalist track down her missing friend, and has difficulties delivering an inheritance to a young woman in Las Vegas. Episodes are: 'The Kirkoff Case'; 'The Dark and Bloody Ground'; 'The Countess'; 'Exit Prentiss Carr'; 'Tall Woman in Red Wagon'; 'This Case is Closed (Part 1)'; 'This Case is Closed (Part 2)'; 'The Big Rip-Off'; 'Find Me If You Can'; 'In Pursuit of Carol Thorne'; 'The Dexter Crisis'; 'Caledonia - It's Worth a Fortune'; 'Profit and Loss (Part 1)'; 'Profit and Loss (Part 2)'; 'Aura Lee, Farewell'; 'Sleight of Hand'; 'Counter Gambit'; 'Claire'; 'Say Goodbye to Jennifer'; 'Charlie Harris at Large'; 'The Four Pound Brick'; 'Just By Accident' and 'Roundabout'.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
71 of 72 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Jim Rockford was fallible, vulnerable, got hurt and often ended up on the losing end of the deal - so different from most American cop and private eye shows. Intelligent scripting and quality acting won this series a clutch of Emmys over several years and James Garner gave the role of Jim Rockford his own persona. Great to see Season 1 on DVD (roll on Season 2). And check out the different answering machine message in the opening credits of each episode - very clever and very funny. Incidentally, the boxset claims to have 22 episodes - there are in fact 25 in the boxset, including the two-part pilot.
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
What can I say? the best ever PI series comes to DVD, complete with original pilot episode,looking as fresh and new now as it did in the 7O's.
Intelligent, off-beat scripts, realistic location shooting and of course the sublime laid back charm of James Garner which keeps it all together.
Shame the region 2 version doesn't include the Garner interview available on region 1, maybe with season 2 ?
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By NEO
Format:DVD
I am thrilled that the Rockford Files has made it's way to DVD at long last. James Garner was and still is a fantastic actor who played Rockford for around ten years.There where seven series spanning the 1970's to the early 1980's with some tv movies. James Garner quit the role after a bout of ill health and back problems.Rockford was an ex-con framed for a crime he didn't commit and then he decides to take to being a private eye.The reason isn't given in the series or why he lives in a caravan by the beach. He is layed back and has a strong sense of duty to his clients and a respect for the police.He drives a gold Pontiac Trans-am which as a car nut is a bonus for me alone.On the DVD we have 22 episodes uncut but there are no extras which is a real shame.I hope this set sells well so Universal Pictures will issue the rest of the series soon.There is also a brilliant book published in the USA all about the series which is worth a look.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Great to see this series again. James Garner is simply superb in this type of role and the whole thing has an easy-going lightness of touch that you just don't get in 'cop' shows these days, from either side of the Atlantic. All they seem concerned with is trying to out-do each other in the levels of gore that they can drum up, to no particular effect as far as I am concerned since the plots are usually rubbish. 'Rockford' is much better - sheer entertainment.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By R. Ayre
Format:DVD
Not being old enough to remember the series first time around, I first discovered The Rockford Files when repeats appeared on Wednesday afternoons in the mid-90s, courtesy of the good old BBC. It caught my attention as a bit of an enjoyable retro novelty so it was interesting to see if having aged another 15 years or so it could still cut it.
Well, I'm pleased to say that it still does do!
As 70s detectives shows go, Rockford is actually very run of the mill in basic concept; it was also highly predictable in so much as that, per episode, there will be at least one car chase, a kidnapping of some form or other and Rockford will inevitably get a bash or two on the head. Also if an episode does end with victory for Rockford it is usually pyrrhic. I'm not sure that an answering machine and a mobile home on the beach front were really enough to mark the character out as anything different (or maybe it did in 1974, I don't know, but they're really not important now).
But what does make the series stand out above most others however is the presence of James Garner; it was absolutely superb casting. Garner brought a unique charisma to this character, which he fitted like a glove. I'm not surprised it ran for several series.
It's fair to say that the whole thing was generally well put together -- if you can overlook some obvious (and amusing) car chase continuity errors that is -- it's well produced and directed stuff; seriously, I don't think there is a clunker amongst any of the episodes. That said, I think did lend itself better to the 2 part episodes and the series opener, Backlash of The Hunter, is my personal favourite.
I think what really says it all is that, having watched all of these episodes, Series 2 is now at the top of my must buy list.... Read more ›
Well, I'm pleased to say that it still does do!
As 70s detectives shows go, Rockford is actually very run of the mill in basic concept; it was also highly predictable in so much as that, per episode, there will be at least one car chase, a kidnapping of some form or other and Rockford will inevitably get a bash or two on the head. Also if an episode does end with victory for Rockford it is usually pyrrhic. I'm not sure that an answering machine and a mobile home on the beach front were really enough to mark the character out as anything different (or maybe it did in 1974, I don't know, but they're really not important now).
But what does make the series stand out above most others however is the presence of James Garner; it was absolutely superb casting. Garner brought a unique charisma to this character, which he fitted like a glove. I'm not surprised it ran for several series.
It's fair to say that the whole thing was generally well put together -- if you can overlook some obvious (and amusing) car chase continuity errors that is -- it's well produced and directed stuff; seriously, I don't think there is a clunker amongst any of the episodes. That said, I think did lend itself better to the 2 part episodes and the series opener, Backlash of The Hunter, is my personal favourite.
I think what really says it all is that, having watched all of these episodes, Series 2 is now at the top of my must buy list.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Spike
Format:DVD
For all those who love 70's nostalgia you will love this. Good old Jim Rockford in his checked sports jacket and high waist band trousers, driving his gold Pontiac
to pursue the baddies in sunny California. It always seems to end in the customary car chase. Great stuff
to pursue the baddies in sunny California. It always seems to end in the customary car chase. Great stuff
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By StuRob
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Going to keep it short as many have already said what was needed.
I always loved this show for the warmth of the performances, especially from James Garner. His character is just so genuine and they always put in so many scenes that weren't vital to the story, but really added to his character. The one I remember is in Backlash of the Hunter where he finds his advert in the Yellow Pages has been defaced, so he tries rubbing it out and rips the paper. His exclamation causes Lindsay Wagner to ask if he's ok.
Brilliant.
I always loved this show for the warmth of the performances, especially from James Garner. His character is just so genuine and they always put in so many scenes that weren't vital to the story, but really added to his character. The one I remember is in Backlash of the Hunter where he finds his advert in the Yellow Pages has been defaced, so he tries rubbing it out and rips the paper. His exclamation causes Lindsay Wagner to ask if he's ok.
Brilliant.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Selig
Format:DVD
This is a great series. I am a fan of 70s shows beacause i remember watching them as a young child. When you do go back and see some of them though they do not stand the test of time. I believe one of the few exceptions is the Rockford files the show really stand up . James Garner was always excellent and the scripts were of the highest quality. I think this is what makes the show stand out. As for the DVD the quality as you would expect is excellent but there are no extras which is a little disapointing but this is a quality show and i would recommeded it to everyone not just fans of 70s TV.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The man jimmy
Watched all these when I was a kid never missed one. Love James garner especially as the man Rockford. Nuffield said
Published 1 month ago by boggins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rockford Files Season 1
Excellent, interesting to see how the show and the character starts to develops by mid-way through the season it's just about there. A classic piece of television
Published 1 month ago by Laura Dawson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fond memories of real entertainment
I purchased this dvd for good old fashioned entertainment. I remember watching this series many years ago when bad language, sex, were never part of every day viewing. Read more
Published 2 months ago by gus
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Stuff
We have really enjoyed watching series one again and have yet to see all episodes.
Very entertaining and not too dated.
Very entertaining and not too dated.
Published 3 months ago by C. M. Evans
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rockford Files series 1
Excellent series and the production is good quality. Compared to modern shows it seems quite slow moving, but that's no bad thing as it seems more realistic somehow.
Published 5 months ago by John Mark Gillard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cool dude
Jim Rockford is such a cool dude. Some of this surprised me as there were some really long and boring car chases in some of the eps that I don't remember when I watched it as a kid... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Missus Ruray
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why did I used to take Rockford for granted?
I couldn't be bothered with detective stuff and I used to watch this because it was on TV at about the right time when I flopped in a chair in the evenings! Read more
Published 11 months ago by K. Harvey
5.0 out of 5 stars
jim rockford!!!!
this is tv heaven for me because as a child i loved this series and i will be buying every uk season. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Julian Marsh
5.0 out of 5 stars
The 70's
Rockford is a real nice guy.
Solving cases with intellect and humour always wearing a jacket and showing off chest hair.
Great cult detective .
Solving cases with intellect and humour always wearing a jacket and showing off chest hair.
Great cult detective .
Published on 12 Dec 2010 by Jostein Næsheim
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