The Andy Griffith Show: The Complete Series

This isn't as much a reflection of the show itself as it is of the product. I love the Andy Griffith Show, at least the first five seasons. Once Don Knotts left I found my desire to watch the last three seasons had waned. I already own the first five seasons that I keep in sleeves in a disc case. Recently I have really been looking to get complete box sets of shows I enjoy, usually trying to find them on sale. I was excited to buy this complete series and re-watch the first five seasons and perhaps sometime make it onto the last three. However, as I opened the package I was disappointed. The box set from the outside looks nice, with the show divided into two cases- the first 5 seasons and then the last 3. However when I opened the cases came the disappointment. Discs were lose and sliding around. Annoying but somewhat understandable. Then I saw that one of the plastic clips that hold the discs in place were broken. That got me. What should I do? Leave the disc to slide around in the case for all time? Store it separate from the rest of the box set? I didn't want to go through the whole hassle of returning it but it tipped my hand. Then I had a decision- refund or just get another set? I opted for the refund and a worry crept into my mind. Had I gotten lucky before in not having other disc cases broken? Or was I unlucky this time? Or was it just the inferior quality of this certain product. With the date of my Prime renewal coming up, from this experience (and the hope to spend less) I will probably pass on the time being.

We'd finally given up hoping Paramount might release the rest of the series on Blu-ray Disc (BD). Amazon having the complete dvd series on sale was the final nudge we needed. It's nowhere near the quality of our Season 1 Blu-ray set. Obviously the video is more compressed and considerably less detailed, but even the sound is a little uneven. Some episodes sound like they cleaned up the audio stems a little, but failed to properly equalize the volume afterwards. It's not terrible, but definitely not as polished as the season one BD edition.It's nice that the second and third seasons include the original advertising skits with the cast, like the season 1 Blu-ray did. Though, it would have been MUCH nicer if the skits were actually watchable along with the episodes themselves, like with the season 1 Blu-ray, which gives the option of viewing with or without original sponsor spots. In addition to the skits, the season 1 BD also includes the opening and closing sponsor materials, some feature Andy and Opie singing for Post. Surprisingly this set doesn't actually feature the original skits for season 1 itself. Only seasons 2 and 3 are included. Implying that Paramount must have put a lot more effort into bringing the show's first season to BD than just remastering the picture and cleaning up the audio files better.In addition, the Blu-ray release of season 1 also includes both the original Danny Thomas episode that the show spun off from as well as the "Return to Mayberry" TV movie it ultimately finished with. Return to Mayberry can be purchased separately. I'm not aware of any other release featuring the Danny Thomas unofficial pilot though. Collectors will definitely want both, IMO, making this collection seem less than complete. Hopefully, Paramount will someday get around to finishing overhauling this classic series in HD on Blu-ray. Until this, this is about the best we can hope for, which is a little disheartening after experiencing how much better the Blu-ray release of Season 1 is.In addition, I'd like to ad that, while the case holds the discs securely, it holds them a little TOO securely. Great care and patience has to be taken to remove the discs, as the disc hubs are so poorly designed. It takes me about a minute just to remove a single disc. Any kid would break the disc for sure, trying to remove it. That's almost guaranteed. A family member with arthritis in her hands wouldn't have a chance. So, if you're buying for a elderly fan of the show, think twice. This is a excessively economical case design known to annoy collectors (the trays have two discs per side, one overlapping the other, so you've got to remove two to get one) compounded by an extremely dysfunctional disc hub design. We've purchased the complete DVD series of MacGyver and Star Trek Enterprise, which use the same type case, but with dramatically better hubs. Paramount needs to badly update this case too. I personally, can't fathom how such an inoperable disc hub could ever get made, much less pass Paramount's inspection before choosing such to use with one of their most celebrated and still immensely popular properties.

never had I realized until viewing the complete series of the ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW that television networks such as TBS, WGN, TVLAND etc chopped up the Andy Griffith shows A good case in point is that if you purchase this dvd set you will find yourself proclaiming aloud...' goodness I had no idea that each episode, when seen in its entirety is over 24 minutes long.' Or you might be surprised to know that Barney actually converses on the phone with Mr. McBebe as seen in the last 3 minutes of that episode--which until having seen this episode on dvd, I had never seen or in the 'BARNEYS SUIT episode, you will see Barney and Andy simulating a knife attack as Barney demonstrates his judo knowledge to Andy...lolI could go on yet these two examples will have to make do as I had to illustrate how much of the ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW you have been missing and that, likewise, you'll never look at the chopped up Andy Grifffith shows broadcast on television.

Fri, Apr 21, 2017: The set comes in 2 plastic cases; Seasons 1-5 and Seasons 6-8 with a cardboard sleeve for both cases. The sleeve, cases and DVD holders are very cheaply made resulting in the DVDs coming loose and floating around. The result, of course, are scratched DVDs which are not playable. Many others have had a similar experience but I had to give it a try. Nonetheless, it's been returned. My 1-Star rating reflects only the product quality, not the Andy Griffith TV series itself. I wonder if the single season versions are any better.

I did not have any issues with my DVD's arriving loose in the packaging or scratched. I also have watched the first 3 discs and none of them skip. So, needless to say I am thrilled with this purchase. Love this show. Teaches so many valuable lessons and is hilarious. Reminds me of the good ole' days when the world was simple and kind.

Low rating only reflects the Quality of DVD's manufactured. It seems there was no quality control. Many problems with Discs. I spent hours trying to get one Disc to play. Then I noticed there was a small dark mark on the edge. It looked like the machine to make the discs tried to chew it up. Probably the cause of my problem. Others report similar problems. Great Show. Bad quality manufacturing of Discs in this set. I returned it for a full refund. This program is a Gem when all the discs work right.

Amazon.ca excels in service, speed of delivery and customer satisfaction. If the price is right, why shop anywhere else?These dvds cover all episodes from every season. They are bundled in two plastic cases for seasons 1 - 5 in black and white and 6 to 8. in colour. There are no separate sleeves. Every disk clips into place. Keeping track of what I watch is difficult because there are so many disks The picture quality is perfect as is the sound. There is always something to be learned about human behaviour in every episode.This series would be highly recommended for any age. There is no vulgar language, no nudity and people work through their differences in mature ways.

Bought this DVD for my husband at Christmas. He is a big Andy Griffith fan and he is enjoying watch the whole series.