The Fugitive, Season Two Volume 1 - Reviews - Page 31

DeWilson · 08-16-2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carabimero

Yes, with the exception of two volumes, all the Nu Ventures VHS tapes contain excellent episodes. My only problem with the tapes is that they are old and occasionally have glitches, which can be maddening if you let them get to you. But having the original music more than makes up for it.

Don't forget - several episodes were released on laserdisc as well!

Joseph Bolus · 08-16-2008, 03:37 AM

Well ... That article certainly answers some questions!

But there are others that remain unanswered:

1. After making the incredible decision to rescore each and every episode, why did the new composer not at least use *some* of the Rugolo themes written specifically for the show? Would doing so have required an additional payment to the Rugolo estate? And would that payment have been exorbitant?

2. Why was the public not forewarned of the extreme music replacement? After setting the standard with the First Season releases, all Fuge fans were looking forward to -- and expecting -- the same quality releases for Season Two. After making this incredible decision Paramount needed to do much more than state in tiny print that "Music has been changed for this home entertainment version".

3. Since the decision had been made to replace all the music -- requiring Paramount to go back to the original audio stems -- why not at least re-mix the new music and the soundtrack in DD 5.1? Call it "The Fugitive - Remastered" or something. At least the public would have known from the name change that something was different about the release.

Here's the bottom line: I'm just a casual "Fuge" fan. If the Rugolo themes had been retained in the rescoring; if the public had been forewarned regarding the extreme music replacement; and if value had been added in the form of a stereo or better audio track; I'd probably purchase the Second season and beyond and be a "happy camper". But even as just a casual fan I still associate the mournful Rugolo variations on the Fugitive main theme as an essential part of the entertainment provided by this show. I can't even begin to fathom how any rational person at CBS/Paramount could have thought otherwise.

Carabimero · 08-16-2008, 04:40 AM

I'm still not convinced they had to change ANY of the music. If using stock cues truly posed a big enough risk to merit wholesale rescoring, season one sets would not still be on shelves right now. They'd have been recalled.

It just doesn't add up. I doubt it ever will.

Hakan Andersson · 08-16-2008, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Willis

I wonder what the differences are overseas with clearance/distribution rights? Apparently, it's considerably more logical than here in the states, where most of these shows were created. Ironic. If only this show was co-released in R2/4 land....

Two volumes of season 1 has been released this year in Sweden (and other countries, I presume). But I bet they are replicas of the U.S. ones.

Still nothing about Season 2 Vol. 1 though.

Gary OS · 08-16-2008, 09:29 AM

Nothing to see here.

Doug Wallen · 08-16-2008, 09:50 AM

Glad to have the answers. Thanks to Dave and Gord for linking to the article. I am just disheartened that Paramount would not be upfront about the changes. Their reputation has been tarnished so that I will always wait for a review of all upcoming Paramount releases.

Doug

Harry-N · 08-16-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carabimero

First I was doubted, then it was suggested when I provided a list of season one alterations that I was a plagiarist (at least I inferred it), and finally I was told reconstructing episodes wouldn't work.

David, it's unfortunate that a new member's post was doubted, but I think you can understand our skepticism. Anyone can say anything on the Internet, and until it's corroborated, healthy skepticism is recommended.

Your initial post did indeed lay out all of the problems with the set, completely accurate. I and TravisR were the two who initially were skeptical of the new poster with this totally incredible story. Nothing like this had ever happened in the DVD world before (or since), so like they say in Missouri, "show me."

Your initial post was at 5:15 AM on the morning of release, indicating that you somehow received your set early (prior to release day). That also raised just a tiny red flag (early receipt is certainly not the most uncommon situation), and with your post at Amazon and the one at Yahoo which parroted your claims, I speculated early on that perhaps this was some effort to deceive the buying public. As a moderator at another board, I've seen all kinds of posts like that from first-time posters, and tend to trust my own eyes and ears more.

But you'll find, if you look on page one of this thread, that I was the first to corroborate your wild tale of music replacement (Post #17), having gone out at lunch to purchase the set to see for myself. And never again did I doubt you.

So, I hope you'll forgive my skepticism and understand where I was coming from at the time. The tragedy that is THE FUGITIVE, SEASON TWO VOLUME 1 remains, and it looks like the tragedy will continue.

Harry

Gary OS · 08-16-2008, 10:09 AM

edit.

Jeff Willis · 08-16-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Wallen

Glad to have the answers. Thanks to Dave and Gord for linking to the article. I am just disheartened that Paramount would not be upfront about the changes. Their reputation has been tarnished so that I will always wait for a review of all upcoming Paramount releases.

Doug

Doug, IMO, that's the main "stickler" about this whole thing. There was no "coming clean" about the S2V1 release from CBS/P at all. Small generic disclaimer print may stand up in a courtroom (Perry Mason vs Hamilton Burger"

), but it doesn't cut the mustard for the buying public. Perhaps it's just me, but had they properly disclosed the soundtrack sub from the outset and been more forthright about the reasons before the street date of S2V1, it would have made a world of difference with me as to how CBS/P is perceived at the present time.

See Post 902 from Joe B. Excellent point #2 and overall post, imo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary

Unfortunately I was away on vacation....

I still think I did the right thing by letting Gary enjoy his vac without calling about this news. I sure thought about it enough back then.

billjames · 08-16-2008, 10:37 AM

when are they going to have harrison ford on?

Harry-N · 08-16-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billjames

when are they going to have harrison ford on?

TravisR · 08-16-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carabimero

Here is a quote from my first ever post on HTF (which some people refused to believe, by the way).

In all fairness, you had never posted here and what you were saying sounded unbelievable. On the internet, that usually equals a troll.