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Rating:  -
This is the complete season--there was no wrongful marketing here. The error is with the definition of "episode." There were indeed only 24 episodes. It so happens that the episodes were divided into two stories. All of the 59 stories are here, but there are two or more stories per episode, hence only 24 episodes. Great show BTW, especially this first season.
Rating: -
During the 80s, I remember watching the Twilight Zone with my family (along with Amazing Stories, Tales from the Darkside, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents). This DVD set is a compilation of that period of excellent short-storytelling, with all of its twists and fantasy/sci-fi drama.
Some notable stories include "A Message from Charity" (my favorite episode), "Misfortune Cookie" - a tale about a harsh food critic who goes to a Chinese restaurant that gives magical fortune cookies, and "Dealer's Choice" - the episode starring Morgan Freeman who plays a deck of cards with his buddies and the devil.
"A Message from Charity" is about a guy from 1985 (Robert Duncan Mcneill) who has a telepathic link across time with a Puritan girl (Kerry Noonan). He's a geeky academic who hasn't found any friends yet in school while she is a smart farm girl who hasn't seen or read much outside of the Bible and Shakespeare. This is where their friendship begins to develop. She can see and even taste through his senses - allowing her to experience modern day marvels such as tv, ice cream, flying, and libraries. Upon speaking of her images to a friend, she gets into serious trouble and is accused of witchcraft and it's all his fault, though Charity blames herself for lack of discretion during this period of fanatical superstition. The rest gets pretty interesting and emotional, especially with the romantic tone of the music.. might even bring out a tear or two towards the end. On a side note, it's interesting to see that this being a sort of temporal anomaly episode, two of the actors went on to become major star trek characters - Zefram Cochrane and Tom Paris.
The commentaries are a great addition.
Rating: -
In my humble opinion, the 1980's Twilight Zone series was the best, purest science fiction on television since the original 60's Outer Limits. Although it was on the whole more sci-fi oriented than the original TZ, it retained the O'Henry style surprise endings which were the trademark of the original series. It's also interesting to note that the series is very much an artifact of the 80's with it's many subtle and not-so-subtle references to the Reagan era, the yuppies, punk rock, the rise of the PC, and the plight of the Vietnam veterans.
Some of the stories covered in the series were awesome and inspiring, like "Chameleon", "Quarantine", Arthur C. Clarke's "The Star", and Roger Zelazny's "The Last Defender of Camelot". Other episodes were hilarious, such as "But Can She Type", "Ye Gods", and Joe Haldeman's fabulous "I of Newton". Some were quite chilling, like "Nightcrawlers" (directed by William Friedkin of Exorcist fame) and Ray Bradbury's "The Burning Man". Also, at least one story, "Dead Woman's Shoes" featuring the always sexy Helen Mirren, was actually quite erotic. Finally, more than a few of the stories were incredibly powerful and emotive tear-jerkers, like "Little Boy Lost", Alan Brennert's "Her Pilgrim Soul", and Harlan Ellison's "Paladin of the Lost Hour". Have your Kleenex handy; you have been warned.
There is more than enough in this collection to please most any sci-fi and fantasy fan, and I am hard-pressed to think of a truly bad episode. Great writing, directing, acting, and special effects; what's there not to like? I look forward to purchasing the second volume.
Rating:  -
Nicely crafted piece of television that compares well with the original. The criticism that the latest version of the Twilight Zone has got I don't believe is warranted. Many of the stories in this piece of 1980s TV I would not class as Twilight Zone but rather basic science fiction. It lacks the belief you have entered the zone and more like, 'stuff happens'. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but it is far from the best of Twilight Zone. Good but not that good
Rating: -
The 1980's was a strange place and if you are a student on the fashions and fads of 80's America then drop the books and Huey lewis cd's and view this interesting document of a time. The Twilight zone in it's original guise was without a doubt the single most important television series ever, it spawned countless imitations and innovations in story telling and episodes plots were used hundreds of times in movies and tv programmes, even to this day some producer or writer somewhere is pinching an idea from it's incredible back catalogue.
Anyway Back to it's 1985/86 incarnation and what you have on offer are some great (Nightcrawlers, the Shadow man, A Matter of Minutes) some not so great (Teachers aide, tooth and consequences, the Beacon) some scary (Gramma, Burning man) some ridiculous (Ye Gods, Wish bank, Red Snow) and some just downright funny (Cold reading, Monsters, i of Newton) but every episode has something to recommend about it even the rubbish ones. It also contains a raritie in the form of a remade episode that actually out shines it's original guise in the classic 'Night of the Meek'. Well worth a day or two of your time and obviously in awe of it's reputation, these episodes are a little short on budget but are ample in heart.
The quality of the dvd transfer is extremely poor though so don't expect more. Enjoy.
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