Product Description

An impressive roster of Hollywood talent brings a keen eye to the camera lens in this Gunsmoke DVD Collection that spotlights the series' acclaimed directors. The courage, character and spirit of the American West blazes across the screen in a television series that set a standard for entertainment excellence during its 20-year run. Join James Arness, Amanda Blake, Milburn Stone, Dennis Weaver and Ken Curtis in this fascinating collection of episodes filmed by such talents as Robert Stevenson (Old Yeller, Mary Poppins), Arthur Hiller (The Out-Of-Towners, Silver Streak), Mark Rydell (On Golden Pond, The Rose) and Andrew V. McLaglen (McLintock!, Chisum, Hellfighters). This three-disc set also features episodes shot by such familiar on-camera talents as Dennis Weaver, Peter Graves, William Conrad and Victor French as they step behind the camera, don a director's cap, and add a unique, personal perspective to Gunsmoke's celebrated heritage of rugged western adventures.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20241 in DVD
• Brand: ARNESS,JAMES
• Released on: 2006-11-14
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Dimensions: .65 pounds
• Running time: 585 minutes

Amazon.com
As a splendid sampler of standout episodes from the 20-season history of Gunsmoke, this well-chosen Directors Collection is a bona fide treasure. Fans of the long-running Western series will appreciate the archival care that went into this set: Not only does it provide a comprehensive overview of the series' evolution (from original radio shows to one-hour color episodes from the 1960s and '70s), but it also delivers a priceless abundance of oral TV history in the form of audio commentaries, some recorded by series stars and directors (like Dennis Weaver, a.k.a. "Chester") shortly before their death. The fact that this set "is dedicated with love to Dennis Weaver from his Gunsmoke family at CBS" indicates the deep affection that Gunsmoke inspired among cast, crew, and fans alike. This set gathers 15 episodes on three DVDs, with disc 1 containing seven episodes in the black-and-white, half-hour format that Gunsmoke maintained for its first six seasons (1955-61). Discs 2 and 3 contain four one-hour episodes each, culled from subsequent seasons (with disc 3 containing full-color episodes from seasons 14, 16, 17, and 20). Picture and sound quality is remarkably good, although some of the earliest episodes have a slightly grainy look that's common to DVD transfers of TV episodes of this vintage (like Have Gun, Will Travel).

The Directors Collection is a showcase for rookies and veterans alike whose filmmaking careers were boosted by Gunsmoke. Andrew V. McLaglen (who directed 95 episodes, far more than anyone else) is represented by season 8's "US Haggens," and his commentary is a highlight of the set. The episode commentaries (by John Rich, Arthur Hiller, Dennis Weaver, McLaglen, Mariette Hartley, and Harry Harris Jr., Mark Rydell, and Peter Graves--brother of series star James Arness) offer a wealth of Gunsmoke history, and while Hartley (a rising star in the early '60s) did not direct the eighth-season episode "Cotter's Girl," her commentary with director Harris is a real treat, as they playfully argue over their memories of the episode's production. Gunsmoke's excellent writing is evident throughout, including the third-season episode "How to Kill a Woman," written by David S. (Sam) Peckinpah, who would soon begin his own illustrious directorial career. Additional special features include four original CBS broadcasts of the Gunsmoke radio show (which starred William Conrad as Marshall Matt Dillon, the role played on TV by James Arness); an eight-minute interview with Amanda "Miss Kitty" Blake, from The Mike Douglas Show; a excerpt from a soundtrack scoring session, and a clip from Have Gun, Will Travel featuring Ken Curtis, who played "Festus" on Gunsmoke. Taken as a whole, the episodes and special features of The Directors Collection qualify as one-stop shopping for the best that Gunsmoke had to offer. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Episodes List
According to the great site tvshowsondvd.com the following episodes are in this set.

Disc 1
Magnus - 12/24/55
Chester's Mail Order Bride - 7/14/56
How To Kill A Woman - 11/30/57
Buffalo Man - 1/11/58
The Constable - 5/30/59
Old Flame - 5/28/60
Love Thy Neighbor - 1/28/61

Disc 2
Cotter's Girl - 1/19/63
US Haggens - 12/8/62
Ten Little Indians - 10/9/65
Which Dr. - 3/19/66

Disc 3
Mannon - 1/20/69
Captain Sligo - 1/4/71
The Legend - 10/18/71
Brides And Grooms - 2/10/75

Special features will include:

CBS Radio broadcasts of "Magnus," "How To Kill A Woman," "Buffalo Man," and "The Constable"
Have Gun Will Travel clip from "The Naked Gun" with Ken Curtis
Mike Douglas Show with Amanda Blake
Soundtrack scoring session at CBS Studio Center

GUNSMOKE THE DIRECTORS COLLECTION
It was very difficult to not start viewing this set as soon as it arrived but alas as a Christmas present I held off until 25 DEC. As a hardcore Gunsmoke fanatic ,having seen the first Gunsmoke episode as a 8 year old boy in 1955, it is always great to see my favorite western uncut and restored. As with the original 50th Anniversary set there is an excellent balance of episodes.
There are not as many extras on this set. The theme of the Directors collection allowed me to hear for the first time Peter Graves (Jim Arness's brother) talk about their experiences. Other than Jim's book there is almost no info regarding them together. I was disappointed in the radio episodes, the quality was terrible. I am a collector and I know that many of the radio episodes exist in pristine condition. I'm afraid that some viewers will possibly think that all of the radio episodes only exist in the condition of those on the DVD.
I would really like to see the black and white hour long episodes featured more on the next set because they are the ones that get very little to no cable airtime.
This set is a must have for the serious Gunsmoke collector, the opening gives a goodbye to Dennis Weaver and it is sad that nearly everyone associated with the series is gone.
CJ WEST
Morrow, GA

The audio is an afterthought
This set, like the previous Gunsmoke 50th Anniversary set, is composed of pristine video episodes, several of which are accompanied by reasonably interesting director commentary and -- an inspired plus -- Viacom has included the original radio versions of four of the TV episodes. Many Gunsmoke fans actually prefer the originals, with William Conrad, Parley Baer and Howard McNear. But, sadly, in this DVD set, the audio quality of the radio episodes is unnecessarily mediocre, with some dropout-like fading. Better copies are available. Check the Radio Spirits collections for more respectful treatment of these extraordinary shows.