Product Description Three episodes from Rod Serling's classic, groundbreaking series exploring the fantastic and the frightening. Episodes: Where Is Everybody? (Ep. 1, October 2, 1959) - Mike Ferris (Earl Holliman) finds himself in a town strangely devoid of people. But despite the emptiness, he has the odd feeling that he's being watched. The premiere episode of the series. The Encounter (Ep. 151, May 1, 1964) - Fenton, a WWII veteran, proudly show his captured samurai sword to Arthur Takamuri, a young Japanese/American gardener--who picks it up and instantly know he must kill his host! A rare and much sought-after non-syndicated episode! An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (Ep. 142, February 28, 1964) - A Confederate spy is spared death when the rope meant to hang him miraculously breaks. Or does it? This French short subject, aired once on The Twilight Zone, was the 1963 Academy Award winner for Best Short Film. .com From the tinkling avante-garde drone of the opening theme, The Twilight Zone promises a journey into the unknown. The mix of science fiction, the macabre, and O. Henry twists compel viewers to this day, and decades after Rod Serling's acclaimed CBS-TV series left the air it remains one of the great cult classics of all time. Treasures of the Twilight Zone presents a collection of rarities that were frequently excluded from the show's syndication package. The pilot episode "Where Is Everybody?" stars Earl Holliman wandering through an empty ghost town seeking someone, anyone, to break his isolation. The volatile, edgy study in racism, "The Encounter," with Neville Brand and George Takei was pulled from syndication after its initial showing. "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," the show's memorable swan song, was the only episode created outside of Serling's production company and his creative control, an award-winning short film from France by Robert Enrico. The real treasures of this Twilight Zone DVD, however, remain two of its compelling supplements. A thoughtful 1959 interview with Rod Serling (from the TV show The Mike Wallace Interview) cuts through the usual small talk to get to the business of writing for TV, from the creative process to commercial compromises and sponsor-driven censorship, and the original "pitch" film made for sponsors features Rod Serling using simple props in brilliantly inventive ways to explain his vision for the series. --Sean Axmaker
F**T
Very Apt Name Indeed for This DVD!
Folks there's a good reason why this dvd is described as "Treasures" and not "Best of" or other similar title. The 3 episodes here are truly treasures in the sense that they are hard to find and relatively rare episodes. These are not the very best episodes in the franchise and currently you'll need to get the complete set at an incredibly exhorbitant price to get these at least until they decide to release a best of dvd for those of us who can't afford or really don't want to see every single episode from all 5 seasons.The first episode is literally the first and as such, one doesn't or at least shouldn't expect perfection at least relative to later works as Rod Serling is just cutting his teeth here and is trying to get a feel for what his ob markers or boundaries are with respect sponsor and censor tolerance. As a result, we get for new fans and those curious about what Twilight Zone is all about the debut episode and a chance to see how far the quality of the episodes develop over time to what we now know and love.The second episode is also a rarity in that it isn't shown anymore or at least rarely because of the huge controversy it stirred regarding its topic of racial discrimination, bigotry and tolerance. Unlike most TZ episodes, this one I felt was very good as the supernatural element isn't as important and in fact is barely noticeable while the real intent of the episode is to educate and force us to face an unpleasant aspect of our flawed humanity. Many people are ashamed to admit that they are closet racists because they somehow know and feel that it is wrong and yet it is by talking it out, admitting to a problem intead of denial is probably the best way to lick it and come to think of it any problem.I actually felt sorry for Fenton as it seemed especially at the end that he was actually trying to reach out to someone to admit his problems seeking a solution but his pride and in his clumsy way, he only managed to infuriate the very person he was looking at getting some help and healing from. Both Fenton and Takamuri were dealing with deep seated guilt problems that they had buried deep within themselves and ironically when they came close to healing by bringing these feelings out to the surface to confront them, they actually end up destroying each other. For this reason, I believe that this is truly a treasure of TZ in that it is a very deep and special episode that lifts the 30 minute feature into the realms of artform which I believe is what Rod Serling intended as well.In the very good and informative interview included among the bonus features we hear Rod speaking about his frustrations at censorship and about how he wanted to address important social issues in his work but had been frustrated until he decided to try doing this with the Twilight Zone. In my opinion, he achieved this very well with "The Encounter." A very good metaphor showing how society sometimes causes the destruction of people by refusing those who need healing to come clean by insisting on punishing the symptoms instead of allowing the root cause to be cured. We focus on the racist and discriminatory themes instead of seeing the bigger message that this is really a story of two people crying out for help which for them never comes.The jewel in the crown of this dvd is "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" which would be spoiled if anyone told you anything about it. Just like Agatha Christie's "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" you'll need to see it totally unprepared to enjoy this masterpiece. This and the previous episode come very close to being described as short film art.If you are looking for true treasures from the whole TZ franchise you have in these 3 episodes jewels for the reasons described above. Unfortunately though the sound quality although decent by Dolby Digital Mono standards should have added the 5.1 or DTS surround audio options although if your system has Pro Logic capabilities, it does somewhat help to make up for this deficiency. The picture quality isn't very good though but judging from the quality of the Mike Wallace interview and the Advertiser Pitch, you can tell that a lot has been restored and that it's a great improvement but you still see lots of white specks here and there on all 3 episodes.For this reason, if you don't mind the hefty price tag, you should get the complete franchise on dvd which I believe has been much better restored. If you are looking at a sampler, this is it but if you are looking for something a little more but not the full set than like me you'll have to wait. Otherwise, a nice dvd of different but still very good Twilight Zone episodes.
I**N
"..thought provoking stuff when your young, and you don't see all the obstacles the world has ready to serve up."
My goodness, some of the original ideas here:) Very thought provoking stuff when your young and you don't see all the obstacles the world has ready to serve up. Mostly hopeful, but intolerant with old stopping change, for the sake of nothing? Or docility that would have you joyfully running up the flying saucers ramp in "How to Serve Man", while a secretary is screaming off in the distance, "It's a CookBook!" "It's a CookBook!, if you know the movie, you get my point:) [and a cookie:)
T**S
rod serling interview classic
these are some of the most loved and well written twilight zones ever made. classics them all. obviously, eye of the beholder and where is everybody stand out but what is really super special about this vhs collection is the rod serling interview at the end of the 2nd tape. mike wallace 1959 just before the twilight zone premiered on usa tv. this interview demonstrates just how clever, witty, intelligent, and promising rod serlings work was to become. truly a must have to any twi zone collector.
P**N
Indeed a treasure
You may have seen these on television, but likely not very often. This is some of the better episodes - generally far better, albeit different, than many of the current offering from cable or satellite, let alone the normal networks. The transfer is good, as is the sound quality. If you enjoy this series, or if you liked the X-files, you will not go round purchashing this disc.
0**0
A must have for aficionados of outstanding story-telling and suspense.
A must have for aficionados of outstanding story-telling and suspense.
R**H
Disappointed
I've been a TZ fan since I was a kid. I use to fake sick just so I could watch it at noon on channel 5. I bought this disc because after all the times I faked sick and all the TZ marathons I had not seen one of them. And now I know why. Where is Everybody started out good but the ending is lame. The Encounter was very boring. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge was the best episode but it read much better.
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3 weeks ago
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