Saturday, January 26, 2008

SWAMP THING-THE SERIES VOLUME 1


I really liked Swamp Thing when it was on TV back in the early 1990’s. It was based on the comic book of the same name. The series is closer to the comic book as to the serious nature of the episodes as opposed to the over the top tone in the first 2 movies. The star of course is Swamp Thing played very well by Dick Durock who played the character in the 2 films and all 72 episodes of the TV series. Mark Lindsey Chapman played Dr. Arcane, the constant thorn in Swamp Thing’s side. The first season was very dark in tone but had some wonderful episodes. The show was filmed in Orlando, Florida at Universal Orlando with some really good guests such as Peter Mark Richman, Roscoe Lee Browne, Sandahl Bergman and my personal favorite, Peter Palmer that the part of Orvile in “The Watchers” was specifically written for him. I had worked with Mr. Palmer in Temple Terrace and a local theater production of Lil’ Abner which at the time he was filming that very episode! This 4-disc set comprises of the first 22 episodes in order of story, which flows a little better. The set also has interviews with the co-creator of the series Len Wein and Swamp Thing himself, Dick Durock!

VIDEO

The film quality is great! Little to no specks or dirt. Each episode is approx. 23 mins each. There is a Play all feature but does not have any chapters.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. “The Emerald Heart”
2. “Falco”-with Peter Mark Richman
3. “Treasure”
4. “From Beyond The Grave”
5. “Blood Wind”
6. “Grotesquery”
7. “New Acquaintance”-with Summer Phoenix

Disc 2- 1. “Natural Enemy”
2. “Spirit of the Swamp”-with Roscoe Lee Browne
3. “Legend of the Swamp Maiden”
4. “The Death of Dr Arcane”
5. “The Living Image”
6. “The Shipment”


Disc 3- 1. “Birthmarks”
2. “The Dark Side of the Mirror”
3. “Silent Screams”
4. “Walk A Mile In My Shoots”
5. “The Watcher”-with Peter Palmer

Disc 4- 1. “The Hunt”
2. “Touch of Death”
3. “Tremors of the Heart”-with Sandahl Bergman
4. “The Prometheus Parabola”-with Terry Funk

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: Interview with Co-Creator Len Wein (08:07)
Interview with Dick Durock (10:58)

Verdict

A great show with a great cast! Defiantly worth buying!

Rating: ****!

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