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Bewitched - Season 5 (Complete) [1968]

RRP: £34.99
Our Price: £12.00 (subject to change)

The last classic Dick York season - Just buy it now
Review date: 2008-03-12 Rating: 10 out of 10

Originally filmed in colour (seasons one and two are re-coloured B&W but still look as good). My daughter [12] has all the first 5 seasons of Bewitched and loves them - she is a worst Witch and latterly a 'Charmed' all 8 seasons fan-atic. I asked my daughter what she thought of this season - she said 'All the seasons are all really good as long as it hasn't got that new guy in it', i.e. it can only be Dick York as Samantha's hubby Darrin for her. And I agree. Sadly Dick York became ill just before season 6 and couldn't film [he died in 1992], so he was replaced by the 'new' Darrin Stephens, Dick Sargent for all the remaining seasons. Dick Sargent never recaptured the magic of Dick York and Elizabeth Montgomery, and sadly by then the studio was running out of ideas (in Sargent's last season 8 they were even reduced to re-filming earlier B&W episodes). Ironically Dick Sargent was originally cast to play Darrin Stephens, but due to his other commitments Dick York took the part, and made it his own. In fact Elizabeth Montgomery wanted to finnish it at the end of this season 5 after Dick York dropped out, and leave Bewitched on a high note, but she was persuaded to film another 3 seasons with Sargent.

The chemistry between Dick York and Elizabeth Montgomery is spot on - they really seem like the perfect loving married couple - and Endora's a great mother-in-law from hell (well often India anyway), who knows, quite rightly, that `Derek' isn't good enough for her Samantha. This season includes Serena (Sam's wayward witch cousin also played by Elizabeth M), and prankster warlock Uncle Arthur - sadly Marion Lorne [Aunt Clara] had just died suddenly after the end of filming season 4. Young Tabitha's also present, still played by both Murphy twins, although in many episodes the plotline often carries on happily as if she didn't exist (thank goodness for babysitters). There's much to enjoy in season 5, with it's better special effects and imaginative stories, plus theres a few guest stars like Jonathon Harris [Dr Smith, Lost in Space] and Henry Gibson [hot from Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in].

This four DVD set has all 30 episodes from season five (run time 759 minutes). It's also very well presented, just as the last four seasons, although there's no extras. This is in keeping with Elizabeth Montgomery's wishes that the episodes should stand on their own with no backstage gossip (she stoutly refused to twitch her nose outside of filming Bewitched, saying Samantha Stephens did that, not Elizabeth Montgomery the actress). Picture quality is very good for the age, excellent even on a 14" telly, and the sound is clear but in mono. We bought the DVD in NTSC from Amazon resellers as it was cheaper. A classic sitcom, that's never been off-air since it's creation, and still a hit the younger generation. Also have a look at the single season spin-off series 'Tabitha' from 1977 (2 DVD set, NTSC amazon resellers only), that my daughter rather enjoyed [probably as a bit of light relief after watching her 'Bewitched' seasons 1 to 5 DVD sets many many times].

Product Details/Specifications

Actor(s):
Paul Lynde
Agnes Moorehead
Dick York
Elizabeth Montgomery
David White

Director(s):

Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822526471
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: Box set, Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2007-08-13
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 730 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1968
Language: English (Original Language)

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Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV

Bewitched - Season 5 (Complete) [1968]

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