Rating: - The best four episodes of the BONANZA best! :)
I'm a fan of Bonanza and I like horses, cowboys, rodeo cattle, etc.

This is a great TV show but, in the episodes "The Spitfire" and "The Last Viking", there is a little bad transfer on those two episodes but, in the other two episodes "Bitter Water" and "Feet of Clay", there's the original Bonanza theme and this DVD is not terrible on the two episodes "Bitter Water" and "Feet of Clay" and thank goodness that there is a mix of the first two that had washed the video out and the episodes of three and four are not washed out after all.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

Bonanza Volume 5, May 11, 2004
A Kid's Review
I'm a fan of Bonanza and I like horses, cowboys, cattle, etc.
This is a great TV show but, a little bad transfer on this DVD and this DVD is not terrible except, they removed the original theme music and the video is washed out. I don't care about it.

There are four episodes on one disc:

1. The Spitfire
2. The Last Viking
3. Bitter Water
4. Feet of Clay

My favorite episode on this DVD of "The Best of Bonanza" is "Feet of Clay".

In this episode "The Spitfire":

Joe must be forced to shoot and kill trespasser Jeb Hoad (Don C. Harvey) when he catches him setting fire to some timber and unsuccessfully orders him to stop. Jeb's daughter Willow (Anita Sands) tells Joe the Hoads will kill the Cartwrights. Grandma Hoad (Katherine Warren) and her boys come to the Ponderosa. Thier first target is Adam, who they shoot in the leg.

Guest Stars: Katherine Warren, Jack Elam

Written by: Ward Hawkins

Directed by: William Dario Faralla

"The Spitfire" was first telecast on January 14th, 1961, and this episode was written by Ward Hawkins.

In this episode "The Last Viking":

Ben's brother-in-law, Hoss' uncle Gunnar Borgstrom, is headed to Canada for a raid with his gang. While at the Ponderosa his men take Joe & his girlfriend Carrie hostage.

Guest Stars: Neville Brand, Sonja Wilde, Al Ruscio

Written by: Anthony Lawrence

Directed by: Johnny Florea

In this episode "Bitter Water":

Len Keith, a miner, wants to purchase land adjacent to the Ponderosa from rancher Andy McKaren. Andy's son, Todd, is anxious to sell; Keith has offered him a partnership and he is in love with Keith's daughter Virginia (Merry Anders). When Ben tells Andy that a mine would foul the water, Andy agrees not to sell. Keith plants thick infested cattle in a Ponderosa herd to turn Andy against the Cartwrights.

Guest stars: Don Dubbins, Merry Anders, Robert F. Simon

Written by: Harold Jack Bloom

Directed by: George Blair

In this episode "Feet of Clay":

The Cartwrights take in Billy Allen (David Ladd (who's the son of Alan Ladd) after his mother dies. His father, Vance (Logan Field), is in prison. Billy is very lonely and Hoss confronts him. Vance escapes from jail by robbing a stagecoach and killing the driver! He then arrives to the Ponderosa and turns Billy against Hoss. But when Hoss is forced having to kill the boy's father in self-defense, the boy starts to hate Hoss for it, but is the only one that could save Hoss's life in the end.

Guest stars: David Ladd, Logan Field

Written by: John Furia, Jr.

Directed by: Arthur Lubin

These are one of the best episodes ever on this DVD & every ranch hand will probably love & like them all of the exellent price & choice, just name your price.

This DVD "The Best of Bonanza" had a couple of hard rough episodes to watch like Jeb's daughter Willow Hoad is angry and upset at Joe when he killed her father, Hoss's uncle Gunnar wasn't that sort of man and dies, Todd MacKaron and Adam get in a big fight at the social and Billy Allen is angry, sad, crushed and upset at Hoss when he had killed his father in self-defense and it is a great DVD but, all those four episodes make me sad which tells me I feel sorry that Hoss and uncle Gunnar were in a fight and Hoss thought his uncle had killed little Joe and Hoss gets angry and yells as he wants to kill his uncle but, a girl tried to warn Hoss that he was hitting the wrong man, luckily Hoss didn't shoot at his uncle, but the man who was back there in the rocks, but, Hoss just didn't understand and that's how this sets me up sometimes to show I just don't understand anymore sometimes when things just don't work out for me like the way they should and I just think I know i feel sad, lonely and blue and I just know I gotta listen better and I know I'll be ready for happy thoughts soon and I'll handle this DVD and this is the best one, ever to watch, no big worries about it.

This DVD of "The Best of Bonanza" reminds me of the DVD movies of "Urban Cowboy" starring John Travolta, "Disney's Mary Poppins" starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke and "Walk the Line" starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, the 1977 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the 1989 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, Nevada, the 1990 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, Nevada and the coming year is the 2008 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) in Las Vegas, Nevada, and books on "Encyclopedia of the Horse" with a foreword by Alexander Mackay-Smith and "Black Beauty (Illustrated Junior Library)" illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg, and that's what this will mean to you a lot in this world.

If you want to now hear a couple of Historical Results from 1977, 1989 and 1990 Calf Roping coming up in a second.

Historical Results from 1977, 1989 and 1990 Calf Roping

1977 World Standings 1977 World Standings

Tie-down Roping
1. Jim Gladstone, Cardston, Alberta $7,166
2. Paul Tierney, Rapid City, S.D. 6,808
3. Roy Cooper, Durant, Okla. 5,733
4. Barry Burk, Duncan, Okla. 5,016
5. Willard Moody, Wynnewood, Okla.

1977 PRCA Standings

Tie-down Roping
1. Roy Cooper, Durant, Okla. $45,713
2. Tom Ferguson, Miami, Okla. 39,629
3. Willard Moody, Wynnewood, Okla. 38,839
4. Dave Brock, Pueblo, Colo. 30,900
5. Paul Tierney, Rapid City, S.D. 28,940
6. Barry Burk, Duncan, Okla. 23,202
7. Jack Hannum, Ogden, Utah 22,654
8. Ronnye Sewalt, Chico, Texas 20,556
9. Junior Garrison, Marlow, Okla. 20,019
10. Kim Gripp, Hereford, Texas 19,415
11. Jarrell Russell, Shamrock, Texas 19,037
12. Bobby Goodspeed, High Ridge, Mo. 18,647
13. Pow Carter, Fort Sumner, N.M. 18,553
14. Jim Gladstone, Cardston, Alberta 18,381
15. Larry Robinson, Innisfail, Alberta 18,373

1989

Tie-down Roping
1. Rabe Rabon, San Antonio, Fla. $89,301
2. Mike Johnson, Henryetta, Okla. 84,031
3. Roy Cooper, Durant, Okla. 74,442
4. Joe Parsons, Marana, Ariz. 74,196
5. Chris Lybbert, Argyle, Texas 70,308
6. David Bowen, Yoakum, Texas 70,063
7. Ricky Canton, Humble, Texas 64,728
8. Jerry Jetton, Stephenville, Texas 62,665
9. Troy Pruitt, Lennox, S.D. 60,755
10. Randy Dierlam, Seadrift, Texas 54,957

1990

Tie-down Roping
1. Troy Pruitt, Minatare, Neb. $98,346
2. Jerry Jetton, Stephenville, Texas 95,075
3. Joe Lucas, Airdrie, Alberta 87,424
4. Dee Pickett, Caldwell, Idaho 80,608
5. Fred Whitfield, Cypress, Texas 74,095
6. Cliff Williamson, Madden, Alberta 72,215
7. Ricky Canton, Houston, Texas 57,132
8. Jerry Alley, Del Rio, Texas 48,852
9. James Zant, Harper, Texas 40,003

What did you think of those Historical Results from the calf roping from 1977, 1989 and 1990 and I hope you liked them.

To put those DVD westerns in order to know which ones you like, here they are.

Bonanza, Vol. 1: Feet of Clay/The Last Viking/Bitter Water/The Savage for Black Beauty: Illustrated by Neil Reid published by Prospero books in 2001, The Cowboy Way starring Woody Harrelson and Keifer Sutherland and Disney's The Princess Diaries for the 2003 Wrangler NFR

Bonanza, Vol. 3: The Courtship/The Savage/Breed of Violence/The Last Viking for Black Beauty: Illustrated by Neil Reid published by Prospero books in 2001, The Cowboy Way starring Woody Harrelson and Keifer Sutherland and Disney's The Princess Diaries for the 2005 Wrangler NFR

Bonanza, Vol. 2: Showdown/San Francisco Holiday/The Mill/Escape to the Ponderosa for The Red Badge of Courage (Aladdin Classics), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade starring Harrison Ford, Super Troopers starring Kevin Heffernan and Disney's Little House on the Prairie two discs one that is 130 minutes for the 2007 Wrangler NFR (my 19th birthday to Las Vegas, Nevada).

The Great American Western, Vol. 29: Home In Oklahoma/Stage Coach Outlaws/Fuzzy Settles Down/Arizona Days for The Red Badge of Courage (Aladdin Classics), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade starring Harrison Ford, Super Troopers starring Kevin Heffernan and City Slickers II: The Legend of Curley's Gold for the 2007 Wrangler NFR (my 19th birthday to Las Vegas, Nevada).

Bonanza, Vol. 3: Badge Without Honor/The Blood Line/The Courtship/Death At Dawn for Black Beauty: Black Beauty. A Story of the Ups and Downs of a Horse's life illustrated in colour by G. P. Micklewright and Far and Away starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

The Great American Western, Vol. 21: Trouble in Texas/Call the Mesquiteers/Without Honor/Stampede for Black Beauty: Illustrated by Robert Doremus: Published and copyrighted in 1951 by Whitman publishing company and Far and Away starring Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise.

Bonanza, Volume 4: The Trail Gang/Denver McKee/Blood On The Land/ Dark Star for Black Beauty: Illustrated by Ian Andrew, Horseman's Illustrated Dictionary by Steven D. Price, Cheaper by the Dozen starring Steve Martin, Disney's Little House on the Prairie two discs one that is 125 minutes and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark all for the 2009 Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bonanza, Vol. 5: Day of Reckoning/The Avenger/The Ape/Breed of Violence for Shane: Illustrated by Wendell Minor, Man of the House starring Tommy Lee Jones and Disney's Ice Princess starring Michelle Trachtenberg all perfect for any rodeo year.

Bonanza, Vol. 7. The Last Trophy/Silent Thunder/The Hopefuls/The Spanish Grant for Black Beauty: Illustrated by Scott McKowen, Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again with Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, Larry the Cable Guy and Bill Engvall, Disney's The Pacifier starring Vin Diesel, Black Beauty (the cartoon animated version) starring David Gregory and Virginia's Run starring Gabriel Byrne and Lindze Letherman all perfect for this year's 2006 Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bonanza, Vol. 8: The Spitfire/The Stranger/The Mission for Black Beauty (Classic starts) adapted by Lisa Church and illustrated by Lucy Corvino, Disney's the Lion King The Lion King: A Read-Aloud Storybook (Read-Aloud Storybook) by RH Disney, The Silver Stallion starring Russell Crowe, Painted Hero starring Dwight Yoakam and Fly Away Home starring Jeff Daniels all perfect as well for the 1988 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and this year's 2006 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Classic Starts: The Red Badge of Courage adapted by Oliver Ho and illustrated by Jamel Akib, Riding by Moira C. Harris & Lis Clegg, The Ultimate Guide to Horse Riding by Emma Callery for Fun With Dick & Jane starring Jim Carrey, The Young Land The Great American Western Volume 8 with episode 4: The Young Land, Disney's Max Keeble's Big Move starring Alex D. Linz and A Mighty Wind starring Eugene Levy and Catharine O'Hara are all perfect as well for the 2007 Wrangler NFR (my 19th birthday).

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Illustrated by Scott McKowen for Rodeo Racketeers starring John Wayne, Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom starring Harrison Ford, Disney's Holes starring Tim Blake Nelson, Like Mike starring Lil Bow Wow, Cowboy Up starring Kiefer Sutherland and When Harry Met Sally starring Billy Crystal as well are all perfect for the 2008 Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Black Beauty: The Great Classics for Children - adapted by Louise Colln and illustrated by Micheal Fisher for Larry the Cable Guy - Health Inspector, The Great American Western, Vol. 21: Trouble in Texas/Call the Mesquiteers/Without Honor/Stampede, Disney's The Country Bears starring Brad Garrett and Bean: The Movie starring Rowan Atkinson and Peter McNicol are all perfect for the 2007 Wrangler NfR in Las Vegas, Nevada (my 19th birthday).

Black Beauty: Illustrated by John Beer: published and copyright in 1998 for 8 Seconds starring Luke Perry, Bonanza - Tales from the Ponderosa, Grease starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John and Disney's Operation Dumbo Drop starring Danny Glover are all perfect for the movie "8 Seconds".

That's what all those movies and books will mean to you a lot in this world at what they remind you of. YEEHAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I always love, liked and enjoyed Bonanza!

IT WAS THE BEST:) Happy trails to all you rodeo fans:)