Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

I saw a listing for a five season pack of Daniel Boone for only $76 (about $15 a season). Looks like a pretty good deal and I remember enjoying some episodes as a kid. For those that have some of the these:

How is the video quality (I'm seeing a mix of reviews)?
How well do the stories hold up to viewing today?
Are the later seasons better, the same, or worse then the earlier episodes?

Thanks for any feedback.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

i found the video quality quite good, but I am still working through season 1.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Brad, I own all 6 seasons of the show. Here's my opinion on both A/V quality per season and how the seasons hold up today.

The first season is in b/w and was my favorite. It was a little more hard-edged in it's storytelling and felt more like a traditional western than a family show. Not that kids couldn't watch it, of course. But it was grittier. Unfortunately, the first season is the worst of the bunch A/V wise. It's not anything close to some of the Timeless or Alpha releases you might see from time to time. It's more than watchable. But it's not up to the level of something like RAWHIDE or GUNSMOKE in it's audio and video presentation. But the episodes are so good I couldn't imagine not owning the first season.

Seasons 2-6 are all color seasons and the A/V is very solid on all these. The stories actually become more and more "family-friendly" as the seasons move along, but they're still very enjoyable to me. Then again, I have two young teenage daughters and we don't watch modern trash so this is right up our alley.

I'd say don't hesitate to buy a 5 season set at that price. That's a great deal for a great show.

Gary "I wouldn't wait too long to buy these either because the original group that distributed these has changed hands or gone out of business - something like that - so if you are on the edge about the show I'd go ahead and buy them now" O.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Thanks, good to know. I have two younger daughter (2 and 6) so I'm always on the look out for shows we could all enjoy together. Based on what I saw on Amazon and briefly read on earlier threads, I had a suspicion these may be close to OOP. That may also have to do with the pricing. I was also hoping to get a more current positive response from someone who has had them for a while.

Edited: After a bit of waivering I broke down and bought it. At less then 60 cents an episode (hour) it is hard to beat if you have any interest in the material.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Want an even better deal than the one listed above on Daniel Boone: Seasons 1-5? Right now CBD.com has this bundle listed at only $49.99!! That is an insane discount! If anyone here hasn't bought these yet now is the time if you have any interest whatsoever in this great show. I don't believe you'll ever see a better price than that. And CBD is a very reputable company, if anyone wants to know. I've been ordering things from them, at least one item every other month, for over 25 years now and never once had a problem.

Gary "can't believe that price for seasons 1-5" O.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

That's where I got it for $76. Looks like they lowered their price some more.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

That's a great deal. Awesome show, and an unbelievable price.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Yeah, it really is an unbeatable price for dvd sets that seem to be disappearing. Deep Discount doesn't carry anything other than the 6th Season set, and Amazon.com isn't much better. I'd say if anyone is interested at all in this series this is the time.

Gary "I just can't believe this bundle is going for such a discount!" O.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

^The $49.95 price is because the Season 1-5 set is included in today's "Fabulous Friday" sale. It'll be back up to the "regular" price tomorrow.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Thanks, guys. This one wasn't high on my radar, but I always stopped to watch it for a while when it on the air in reruns. The color seasons are solid video-wise. That price is just too good to pass up, so I placed my order, at $49.99, an 80% savings!

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Still showing up for the $49.99 price in spite being part of the "Fabulous Friday" sale titles... still time...

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

I have been watching season 1 and am very happy with the video and audio quality. I have all 6 seasons, and am looking forward to watching the series again.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

This has been one of my wife's and daughters' favorite series. Mine too, of course. It's been one of the better series I've invested in as far as family viewing goes.

Gary "I still can't get over that price" O.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

I watched it and Little House last night. Both are great family series.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Gary, I first saw this deal posted at the superb DVD TALK Bargains thread, which has become daily reading for me of late. I was about to PM you about the sale, but remembered that you already had the sets. I only had Season 1, so I went ahead and got this incredible bargain and will try to sell off my extra set once it's been OOP for awhile (right now Season 1 is selling for very cheap on its own, besides this unbelievable deal). I agree with you that once this show is out of circulation that will be most likely be it. There was even doubt that the final season was going to be released, so it's fortunate that the series was completed. Now if you see any great deals on Season 6 let us know.

It also bears mentioning that while the first season does have only average PQ and sometimes even less than that, it does have an amazingly aggressive 5.1 redub on it, which actually works very well. However, the original mono is also included if you'd rather preserve the show as broadcast. Gary, are the other seasons also 5.1?

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Point-Blank, all 6 seasons are in 5.1 and sound great. What you'll really notice though is that the visual quality will drastically improve with the 2nd season and stays great. The colors just jump through the TV screen with this series.

Gary "I'll definitely keep you in mind if I see a great deal on the final season set" O.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Thanks Gary for the information on the 5 Season Daniel Boone DVD set for $49.99. I went to the CBD website and ordered a set last night. It was the first time I believe that I had heard of CBD. 5 Complete Seasons of Daniel Boone for $49.99 no tax and free shipping is incredible. Thanks again and have a good evening!

Robert

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Glad to help, Robert. CBD is a great company that's been around for decades now and has never disappointed me. I feel confident that your experience with them will be a good one.

Gary "I do have to admit I liked the 1st season of the show, which was a bit edgier and more adult, than the other 5 seasons - but it's a great show all the way around no matter how you slice it" O.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Gary, just a public thanks to you for bringing this great deal to our attention. I was really on the fence about buying this since I've been spending probably more than I should on DVDs lately. But I think this is truly a case of "strike while the iron is hot." I think there's enough evidence out there to suggest that "Daniel Boone" very well may go out of print and, possibly, not be reissued, given the aging demographics of its original audience. And, indeed, if it is reissued, it won't be at $10 per season. So thanks, again! I can't quite return the favor and I know that you have this already, but here's a great deal on Shout! Factory's second release (Best of Ricky & Dave) of "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet."

The Adventures Of Ozzie & Harriet Best Of Ricky & Dave DVD

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Thanks Bob. I do have the Ozzie & Harriet set, but it's a great deal and I highly recommend it to any that haven't bought that one yet.

I know you'll be glad you bought this Daniel Boone set. It's a fantastic deal and I'm pretty sure these are about to go OOP, so waiting is a bad move. This is the deal for this series, no doubt about it.

Gary "take care, buddy" O.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Gary,

10-4 on Bob's "thanks". You already know that this one's a tough call for me since I know you guys are right about this being the best chance to pick up the show at that price. The only reason that I'm on the fence about this one is that this show wasn't one of my favorites back then. It's a great family show but for some reason it wasn't on my favorite list.

Jeff "These calls on an unbeatable deal are hard" W.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Gary,

You have to be one of the most persuasive member of this forum. Last year, you've convinced me to buy Father Knows Best. Your advocacy of Rawhide here caused me to buy the first three seasons during Amazon's sale earlier this month. And now, I've just bought this Daniel Boone bundle, thanks to your (and Paul Mavis') recommendation.

Heaven knows when I'll find the time to actually watch them.

(Anyway, even if I don't like the show, they should appreciate in value as they go OOP.)

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Jeff, I completely understand the need to be extra prudent with dvd spending in this tough economy. But I will say knowing you I think you'd like this show enough to feel like 5 seasons of an hour per episode show like DB for this price is worth it. Plus, if you are on the fence and not 100% sure the fact that the show is probably going OOP should be factored into any decision, in my humble opinion.



Thanks, Tim. Glad to have helped out a fellow vintage fan. I know I picked up RAWHIDE initially due to others encouraging me, so we all benefit from one another with this hobby.

Gary "I still can't get over the price of this bundle" O.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Gary, I must say that I am impressed with CBD. I just placed the order yesterday with them, guessing that they wouldn't process on Sunday. I received an E-mail from them at 9:48 a.m. this morning, informing me that the DB sets have shipped. On top of that, they included UPS 2-day shipping at no extra charge. So, in addition to a great price on this set, it also looks like great service from this vendor. Thanks, again!!!

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Jeff Willis-

I agree with Gary O on this one. I believe the company that released DANIEL BOONE is out of business and all of these seasons are destined to join the first one and go out-of-print sooner or later. Right now even the secondary markets are selling this show relatively cheaply for the individual seasons, though nothing as cheap as this $10 per season deal, which is incredible. Eventually what's going to happen is that it will begin to sell out everywhere and then the prices will start to climb back up to collector's levels.

A similar situation occurred with Image's release of NAKED CITY, which I bought at a big sale at Amazon for $12 each. Within six months Image lost the rights to license the show and everyone sold out on it. I watched my copies and re-sold them for $125-$150 per set. It's funny, but once something goes out-of-print suddenly everyone wants it!

I don't think any of the seasons of DANIEL BOONE sold particularly well, so this is indeed a rare opportunity to sample nearly a complete series at only $10 per season. That's over 25 episodes per season of an hour length series, almost all in pristine transfers.

At the very least the series is entertaining and highly watchable, but at the very best it can be riveting and as complexly drawn as any 1960's era drama. Admittedly, I've only watched the first season thus far, but I have found it to be, on the whole, well written, acted and directed, with compelling stories and substantial character development, the latter always holding particular appeal for me. I also happen to enjoy period settings more now than when I was a child, especially the pre-Revolutionary War period of American history, which this series skirts by taking place initially in 1775. Add to that the fact that this show, which is essentially a dramatic representation of real times and real people, had a technical adviser to make sure they got at least some stuff right and for me that makes it even more compelling.

$50 is still a lot of money, especially in this economy we are mired in at present, but as it stands, this is one of the best deals for TV on DVD that I've ever seen. I know you, Jeff, and I think this is one you shouldn't pass up.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

I'm glad to see that the show got its full run out which can't be said of a lot of shows of this era that lasted as long as Boone did. Had Fox, the studio that originally produced the show still controlled DVD rights you can be darned certain it *never* would have had its full run out.

I'm part way through S3 in terms of what I've seen and I agree the first season is the best. In S2, part of the shift away to a more family friendly version was to totally disregard *any* pretense of maintaining a consistent timeframe. You will in the course of S2-3 see some episodes that are set in the pre-1776 period (which is where S1 kept things consistently) then suddenly a few weeks later there'll be an episode dealing with Washington as President in 1789, another dealing Aaron Burr attempting to initiate his plan to seceed western territory from the US which was in 1804 and another week we're back to 1776! And through it all Daniel and the principals remain unchanged in age.

The dropping of Veronica Cartwright from the cast after S2 as Daniel's daughter Jemima I think was another mistake the series made.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

This from a similar thread over at DVD TALK:


If the price and free shipping weren't enough, 10% off $35 with coupon code "289107tr" making it just $44.99 shipped.

Might be worth a try at making a great deal even greater. A day late and a dollar short for me though and makes me wonder how I missed it during that half-hour search for coupon codes before I made my purchase.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

$49.99 deal is dead as of this morning; the sets are back up to $79.99 . . . . still not a bad deal, but not the monster deal of the last several days.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

Gary, "Point-Blank" ,

Thanks for the posts & advice on this one but I decided to pass. No regrets but I appreciate the help with this one and the info about CBT that helped others decide on getting the sets.

I passed for a couple of reasons but agree that it's a great classic family show and for any fan of this one, that deal was an easy call.

Re: Daniel Boone - Decent Quality?

No problem Jeff. As we've all been saying, the economic crunch has to make many of us be very cautious with any purchase, not matter how much the discount. I actually pulled the trigger on a set from Amazon about a week ago because it was 50% retail, but the more I thought about it the more I realized it wasn't a set I really needed. Once it got to my door I turned right around and sent it back without even opening it. It was a $49.97 purchase and I just want to save my money for series that I absolutely know I will love and watch again and again. This show wasn't going to be one of those, so it went back.

Gary "I'm trying really hard to be extra prudent with my purchases nowadays" O.