I Spy

Starring:Tara Jayne, Ellen Lee, Cindy Creekmore, Big Al, Big Al (III)
Director: Cote Zellers
Studio: HBO Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Engaging realism; ahead of its time
A good script!
Excellent story dealing with the morals of war.
WW II counterintelligence drama
Top-notch war thriller!

Decision Before Dawn
Starring: Richard Basehart , Gary Merrill , Oskar Werner , Hildegard Knef , and Dominique Blanchar
Director: Anatole Litvak
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B000EHSVV4
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Amazon.com

Rooting for a German soldier was a daring choice for a movie made in 1951, but Decision Before Dawn justifies the risk; this is a crackling good war movie. In late 1944, the Allies are pushing through Europe but need intelligence behind German lines. Two Americans (Richard Basehart, Gary Merrill) recruit German POWs and enlist them to spy on their former Fatherland. We follow the adventures of one such agent, arrestingly played by the young Oskar Werner, who parachutes into Bavaria and gathers information. (Oddly, the film abandons Basehart and another recruit, marvelously played by Hans Christian Blech, who have also gone under cover.) The well-deployed suspense is accompanied by a constant examination of what it means to be German, and what loyalty to one's country really entails--dutiful devotion or skeptical rebellion? This question doesn't go deep (there's a sense that the movie is a make-nice effort toward a new economic ally), but the film is on solid ground whenever the clockwork suspense takes over. Hildegarde Knef (here billed under her Hollywood spelling, Neff) turns up as a conflicted fraulein. Director Anatole Litvak, shooting on location, gets some amazing shots of bombed-out buildings and ruined towns; in that sense, the film is almost like a documentary record of the postwar landscape. Decision Before Dawn was nominated for the best picture Oscar, but became a lesser-known film in the decades that followed. It deserves a higher profile. --Robert Horton

Description

Richard Basehart and Gary Merrill star in a film that?s ?as stirring a drama as any you'll want to see? (The New York Times). Adapted by Jack Rollens and Peter Viertel from George Howe?s novel Call It Treason, and directed by Anatole Litvak, this riveting World War II drama was nominated for the 1951 Best Picture Oscar®.

As the Third Reich declines in power, the Allies develop a radical new plan ? to employ German POWs as spies. Led by American Colonel Devlin (Merrill), and executed by Lieutenant Rennick (Baseheart), the plan is risky, and the tension builds as the Americans learn whether the former Nazis will help or betray the Allies.

Customer Reviews:

Engaging realism; ahead of its time.......2007-06-17

I'd never seen or heard of "Decision before Dawn" until it appeared in my recommended list on Amazon.com. Released in 1951, it apparently has been on TV a number of times, but I never caught it. Having it on DVD, especially at a bargain price, is welcome, indeed.

There are no big stars in the movie, although Gary Merrill, Richard Basehart, and Oskar Werner are certainly well-known names. The story is rather obscure in that it features Germans who change sides at the end of World War II, and end up spying on and fighting the Nazis. Some of these spies are heroic, like Oskar Werner's character; others are simply mercenary. In any event, we see that there were some good Germans who were loyal to their country, if not to the savage regime that took it over for 12 years.

The movie is in black-and-white, which lends itself well to the feel of the subject. It comes across almost as a docu-drama, to use modern terminology. Many of the outdoor shots feel like how Germany must have been in the latter years of the war after allied bombing had reduced most cities to rubble. You get a sense for the desperation and futility of ordinary people, as well, as the only "love interest" in the show, Hildegard Neff, vanishes almost as quickly as she appears. And she never is seen again.

If you're looking for a film that shows one of the pivotal points of the war, like "The Battle of the Bulge," or "The Battle of Britain," you might be disappointed in this show. But if you want to see a realistic depiction of patriotic Germans who resisted the Nazis and helped end the war, you should be pleasantly surprised. Acting is first-rate and the story is well-written and engaging.

There is not really a happy ending in "Decision before Dawn," unless you feel that the war is closer to its end as a result of what you've seen. In that sense, the movie really seems much ahead of its time and should find a receptive audience. As other reviewers point out, "Decision before Dawn" is really an anti-war film, showing as it does the futility of one group of humans intent on destroying another group.

In summing up, I can't think of another movie to compare this one to. I'd have to say the film is unique and worthy of its place in any World War II collection.

A good script!.......2007-04-05

"Decision Before Dawn" was written by Peter Viertel, once himself a member of the O.S.S.
It's a good script, full of weird characters, played by German actors like Hans-Christian Blech, Hildegard Neff and the famous O.E. Hasse. If you look close enough, you can even spot a very young Klaus Kinski!
The performance given by young Austrian master-actor Oscar Werner is simply superb.
If you like a gripping (anti-) war-movie, you'll be delighted with "Decision Before Dawn".
Watch out for a TV-documentary on the screenwriter Peter Viertel: "PETER VIERTEL: BETWEEN THE LINES". It will be shown in the fall of 2008. Don't miss it!

Excellent story dealing with the morals of war........2006-11-10

Definitely an anti-war classic story. Authentic in every respect and a good view and moral lesson for anyone with an interest in the meaning of loyalty to one's country. R. Woolfe

WW II counterintelligence drama.......2006-10-26

Anatole Litvak's engaging WWII drama "Decision Before Dawn" examines the war from an entirely different perspective. Filmed in the war ravaged remains of Nazi Germany in 1950, the story commences as American troops are poised to cross the Rhine and enter Germany. In the waning days of the war an American intelligence detail lead by Col. Devlin played by Gary Merrill and Lt. Rennick played by Richard Basehart are using captured POW's to act as spys. Using specially trained and suitable German soldiers they hope to gain sensitive information to aid in the war effort. Oskar Werner playing Cpl. Karl Maurer is just such a man.

Werner, an educated son of a physician, and not a loyal Nazi supporter, is a medic in the German Luftwaffe. He and Basehart along with another Nazi traitor code named Tiger and played by Hans Christian Blech are dropped behind enemy lines to determine the location of crack Panzer units.

What makes the film so unique, was that Werner's odyssey through the dying Third Reich gives us insight into the disposition of the German populace. Their downtrodden existence scrounging out an existence in the final months of the war is a disturbing sight to behold.

Litvack's film is a tribute to the nameless German spys who aided the Allied war effort.

Top-notch war thriller!.......2006-10-06

Based on real facts, this movie scrutinizes the ethic side of an idealistic and disappointed German medic / P:O:W: who decides by own will to become spy for his captors. He will be parachuted in order to demonstrate his firm resolution.

This might be the masterpiece of Anatole Litvak and the best performance ever given by Oskar Werner.

Tense, absorbing and high voltage movie.

Average customer rating:

You won't want to miss this one!
Average Grade Thriller
They spy!
A great surprise!
Wilson and Murphy=laughter

I Spy
Starring: Eddie Murphy , Owen Wilson , Famke Janssen , Malcolm McDowell , and Gary Cole
Director: Betty Thomas
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000085EFK
Release Date: 2003-03-11

Amazon.com

Eddie Murphy needed a comeback after The Adventures of Pluto Nash, but I Spy didn't provide it. As with his previous turkey, Murphy's the least of this movie's problems; his spitfire delivery begs for better plotting and dialogue, and his teaming with Owen Wilson had even more promise than Wilson's Shanghai comedies with Jackie Chan. But this unfunny hash--bearing no resemblance to the 1960s Bill Cosby-Robert Culp TV series that inspired it--undermines Murphy and Wilson at every turn, stranding them in scenes that play well in isolation but never form a coherent action-comedy. It's not that director Betty Thomas is incapable; she just seems uninterested, going through the motions while Eddie, Owen, and Famke Janssen play spy games in Budapest, chasing after a villain (Malcolm McDowell, wasted again) who's stolen a sleek, invisibility-cloaked jet bomber called the Switchblade. Explosions, shootouts, double-crosses... ignore it all, and find what pleasure you can in Eddie and Owen's aimless banter. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

You won't want to miss this one!.......2007-03-20

I agree with another reviewer that the sewer scene in Hungary is hilarious and the "Sexual Healing" scene is over the top funny! If you enjoyed movies like Old School, Anchorman, or Along came Polly then you won't want to miss this one!

Average Grade Thriller.......2007-03-08

I Spy has little in common with the 1960's TV series of the same name. However, there is just enough juice in I Spy to cause it to rise to the C grade level. True, both Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson basically phoned their performances in. However, Malcolm McDowell contributes one of his greatest performances ever and this combined with the great cinematography helps to make up for many of the deficiencies in this movie.

Bottom line, this is a decent movie that is worth a rental.

They spy!.......2007-01-24

Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson delighted audiences in late 2002 with this action-packed film based on the 1965-68 NBC adventure series starring comedian Bill Cosby and Robert Culp. This is one of the best action films since the LETHAL WEAPON series. Scott Kelly(Wilson) and athlete Alexander Scott(Murphy) are partners in crime. You can call them cops,P.I.'s,FBI agents,whatever. This is a reunion between Murphy and director Betty Thomas who is late of the NBC crime drama Hill Street Blues. Previously,Thomas directed Murphy in the remake of THE NUTTY PROFESSOR and the remake sequel. Thomas' previous films include THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE and PRIVATE PARTS.

A great surprise!.......2005-06-18

What a good time I had watching this movie. I've watched it for the fourth time this week and it keeps getting better. Quick witted, good chemistry between Eddie Murphy & Owen Wilson, exciting chase scenes -- just a lot of fun. Don't listen to the critics on this one or you'll miss a great couple of hours.

Wilson and Murphy=laughter.......2005-04-24

This movie has all the makings of being just another cheesy flick, but just at the last second something manages to save it. That would be the relationship between Murphy and Owen Wilson.
Although they aren't as funny a pair as Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, there is a spark in I Spy that generates humor even when these two are not fighting between themselves. Such as Owen renting the lowest cost room for the boxing God (Murphy) or when they are trying to take over the spy plane in the end.

A decent action thriller/comedy that is pulled of rather well on such used plot. I Spy manages to follow the James Bond thread without drawing on it too much to be cliche.
But enough said, I'll let you be the judge.

Average customer rating:

highly recommended
Not Widescreen
one of the best Jackie Chan movies ever
WONDERFUL!!!
Fun movie

Jackie Chan's Who Am I?
Starring: Neil Berger , Dik Brinksma , Jackie Chan , Pim Daane , and Michelle Ferre
Director: Jackie Chan
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 0767819640
Release Date: 1999-02-02

Amazon.com

Shot in English and budgeted higher than any of his previous Asian features, Jackie Chan's last film under his Hong Kong contract is an action-packed globe-trotting adventure shot with the American audience in mind. The spies and secret agent-laden plot is packed with car chases, explosions, gunfire aplenty, and of course Jackie's own brand of gymnastic martial arts. But the flood of his older films between his hits Rumble in the Bronx and Rush Hour had sated American viewers and Who Am I? wound up being sold directly to cable. It's our loss, for this mix of goofy slapstick and jaw-dropping action is his most impressive film since Drunken Master II. Playing a special forces agent (named, naturally, Jackie) struck with amnesia and adopted by an African bush tribe following a failed assassination attempt, he embarks on a quest to discover his true identity while armies of killers pour after him. After an explosive opening, the story gets momentarily bogged down in the kind of mugging humor that leaves most American audiences scratching their heads, but once Jackie kicks into gear the film is a high-speed action flurry that culminates in a furious battle atop a Rotterdam skyscraper. Jackie is at his most charmingly naive (he berates the villains, pleading "Why do you want to destroy when you can make things better?") and athletically impressive: the marvelous stunts--including a flight down the side of the skyscraper--and fight choreography make Rush Hour look like a Sunday drive. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

highly recommended.......2007-01-31

This movie has everything we expect in a Jackie Chan flick, including plenty of bad guys for Jackie to fight (some are clearly great martial artists themselves, not just actors, as mentioned by other reviewers), pretty girls that Jackie must save, death defying stunts, chase scenes, guns, explosions, and plenty of humor. Two thumbs up! Regarding the dvd format, the one I saw in store had widescreen on one side and full screen on the other. (I own it on vhs myself and am considering upgrading to the dvd.) Some of you parents might also like to know this one has no nudity.

Not Widescreen.......2006-11-02

First off, the movie is great. It just may be my all-time favorite Jackie Chan film. Lots of fun, lots of action. The problem is, this DVD is not widescreen, it's fullscreen, no matter what the Amazon info says. I bought it, got the fullscreen version, sent it back for the widescreen version and got another fullscreen version sent to me. If you can stand Jackie Chan in fullsceen with all of the format's shortcomings, you'll love it!

one of the best Jackie Chan movies ever.......2006-08-19

Who Am I has it all - a decent story, great stunts, long car chase scene, some good ol' Jackie Chan comedy, and a roof-top fight scene that is unbelievable.

Jackie Chan plays "Jackie Chan", a special forces agent who is the last to survive a mission of deception in South Africa. Struck with amnesia, he sets on a quest to recover his identity, only to find himself being chased by gangs of men led by the man that Jackie thinks is helping him. The first 30 minutes of the movie is very slow, but the action picks up quickly when the chases begin.

Fortunately, the movie only gets better as it progresses, till a final roof-top fight with Jackie against 2 men, who have excellent martial arts skills. The fight scene literally lasts 8-1/2 minutes, with constant kicking, punching, and some Jackie stunts here and there. To finish it off, Jackie performs his best stunt of the movie, sliding down the glass angled side of the skyscraper.

If you like Jackie Chan movies, you will be pleased to know this is an above average treat. If nothing else, the ending of the movie is worth every bit in gold.

WONDERFUL!!!.......2006-03-23

This is probably Jackie Chan's best movie. It has it all; action, comic relief, and a great story line. Highly recommended to all fans of Jackie.

Fun movie.......2006-03-13

I had seen this movie before, and it was a gift for my husband who was having trouble finding a copy in the local stores. Great martial arts, had its funny parts, and we both give it two thumbs up.

Average customer rating:

Own a piece of TV history
I spy a great show
Two headed spy
Entertaining, Landmark Television Series
bad dvds

I Spy Set 1 (7pc)
Director: Robert Culp , and Bill Cosby
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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I Spy Box Set #2
I Spy Box Set #3
I Spy Returns
Mission: Impossible - The Complete First TV Season
Peter Gunn, Set 1

ASIN: B00006IJNI
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Description

Robert Culp and Bill Cosby star as international espionage agents Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott on highly dangerous missions in this ever-popular, award-winning series. Culp poses as a world-class playboy/tennis player, and Cosby goes undercover as his trainer. Together they travel the world, trading quips and fighting high-level crime with cool bravado and extraordinary savoir-faire. Combining humor with action/intrigue, "I Spy" was the first adventure TV series to be shot in exotic international locales, establishing a new standard for television dramas. Includes Volumes 1-7: A Cup Of Kindness, Dragon's Teeth, Tigers Of Heaven, Turkish Delight, Crusade To Limbo, Sparrowhawk, So Coldly Sweet.

Customer Reviews:

Own a piece of TV history.......2007-02-19

How often can a television series lay claim to having helped to change television, and, yes, even the world? I Spy did just that. This was the first series to star a White and a Black together, and I Spy marked the first time a Black actor won an Emmy ... three back-to-back Emmys, no less, for Bill Cosby as Best Lead in a Drama. Racial barriers were pushed aside when I Spy hit the air in September 1965. This was also the first series to shoot around the world and ushered in the technology to make that possible - film making techniques that are still used to this day! And this is where the "buddy picture" began. "Miami Vice, "Starksy & Hutch," "Lethal Weapon" all owe much to I Spy.
To find out how the makers of this series did it, how they accomplished the near impossible, read "I Spy: A History and Episode Guide to the Groundbreaking Series" ... then watch these episodes in a whole new light. They are more historic than you may yet know.
For the three box sets from Image, the DVD transfers are very good; the Robert Culp commentaries are well worth hearing; and you can use the above mentioned book as a guide to the proper order that the episodes were intended to be viewed - which will enhance the viewing experience.
This series should be remembered and cherished. TV was never the same again after it, and, in some ways, either were we.

I spy a great show.......2007-02-19

I remeber this show from my misspent youth. I did not realize I was watching groundbreaking tv back then. No, I just thought that it was a greatshow. It is almost strange, when you think about it, that this was the first pairing of a white guy and black guy as partners in a serious setting. Don't mistake me, this is not an all serious show. There is situational humor and some of the best bantering dialogue of all time here. Follow the exploits of two secret agents as they travel around the world. They are not "superspys" at all, but they get the job done. Make a note of the exteriors. They actually went and filmed at the places they were supposed to be. No stock shots here. Watch this show, maybe not because of the socialogical implications, because it is good.

Two headed spy.......2006-11-25

After Goldfinger hit so big in 1964, I (like everybody else at the time) read every James Bond novel Ian Fleming had written. What struck me the most was how much the novels gave us an insight into 007's mind by displaying his thoughts. The movie industry has generally shyed away from first-person narritive for some reason and so that element was lost in the movies. However, first in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. in 1964 and the next year in I-Spy, that externalized thinking was delivered with a simple device, namely buddies. Two spies constantly bantering. gave back the element of the thinking-man's spy story.
I-Spy remains unique in many ways though. First, each episode was filmed on location around the world and that adds an open and airy atmosphere that cannot be duplicated on a studio lot. Second, unlike James Bond who always saved the world from utter disaster, agents Scott and Kelly do what I assume secret agents actually do, which is more along the line of international detective work. Also they kind of muddle through their assignments at times relying upon luck rather than skill, and if one of them jumps out of a moving vehicle, then he will get a broken bone. Third, what was new for TV in 1965 was instead of the bad guys getting maimed the show had a tendacy to leave dead bodies laying around.
There was a total of 82 episodes included in all three seasons of the show and they are all included in the three box sets, however the sets are not arranged by season nor are they in chronological order. BOX 1 has 22 episodes of season 1 (out of 28) and 6 episodes of season 2.
BOX 2 has 20 episodes of season 2 (out of 28) and 8 episodes of season 3.
BOX 3 has 18 episodes of season 3 (out of 26), 6 episodes of season 1, and 2 episodes of season 2.

Entertaining, Landmark Television Series.......2006-05-05

As a little boy, I loved watching I-Spy. Although I couldn't understand a whole lot of what was going on, it seemed obvious that the two guys were cool, the places they visited were exciting, and it held my interest. Of course, lots of things can seem interesting to a five-year old. When you get older, and watch something that you haven't seen in thirty years, it's painful, but you're almost resigned to be disappointed. Watching I-Spy now is even more enjoyable than it was then because not only can I understand what's going on, it's still a fun, entertaining show.

We have to remember than when this came out in 1965, it was a HUGE DEAL to have black and white co-stars together in a show. And while it was obvious that the show was cautious about Bill Cosby's role in the beginning, it was obvious even in the very first episodes that he would more than hold his own with Robert Culp. Their byplay, born from genuine, offscreen friendship, is still the gold standard for two-person partners and teams in television and films. Their interaction was natural, spontaneous, and genuine, and no duo has come anywhere close in matching it. If Spenser For Hire had lasted longer, perhaps Robert Urich and Avery Brooks may have come the closest, but no one has managed, not Miami Vice, Lethal Weapon, or any other attempt.

The simple concept of having two globe-trotting spies working together in the guise of a world-class tennis player and his trainer seems so basic, but adding the team of Culp and Cosby, exotic locales, and good directing and editing makes all the difference. A complete first season collection would be better, but this is still a treasured momento from a not-so bygone era.

bad dvds.......2006-02-14

DO NOT but this series! I wish to tell you that after 2 viewings I went to view them a 3rd time and the entire series of dvds, 24 of them, are trashed! All my other dvds stored in same location are fine, these have numerous dropouts on the video and soundtrack making them unviewable. Amazon will not stand behind this product, nor will they accept returns on them, as I purchased them 2 years ago (and had no desire to watch them a 3rd time until recently). Apparently I think it is the painting on the surface of the viewable side of the dvds that causes this, but I am no expert. They indicated try to contact the manufacturer, which is a non-answer to the max!

Average customer rating:

I Deal in Danger
Starring: Robert Goulet , Christine Carère , Donald Harron , Horst Frank , and Werner Peters
Director: Walter Grauman
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000MGBLIM
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Average customer rating:

I spy a great dvd set
Historic series worth owning
Entertaining, Landmark Television Series
Classy Spy Show! Don't miss it!

I Spy Box Set #2

Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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I Spy Box Set #3
I Spy Set 1 (7pc)
I Spy Returns
Mission: Impossible - The Complete First TV Season
Mission: Impossible - The Second TV Season

ASIN: B00006IJNJ
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Description

Robert Culp and Bill Cosby star as international espionage agents Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott on highly dangerous missions in this ever-popular, award-winning series. Culp poses as a world-class playboy/tennis player, and Cosby goes undercover as his trainer. Together they travel the world, trading quips and fighting high-level crime with cool bravado and extraordinary savoir-faire. Combining humor with action/intrigue, "I Spy" was the first adventure TV series to be shot in exotic international locales, establishing a new standard for television dramas. Includes Volumes 8-14: Bridge Of Spies, Sophia, Vendetta, Blackout, Little Boy Lost, The Medarra Block, Philotimo.

Customer Reviews:

I spy a great dvd set.......2007-02-23

This is a classic series from the mid 1960's. The idea was for two guys, spys that is, would travel the world undercover and on assignment. What made this unique was the pairing of a black man and a white man as equal partners. That may sound a little corny now, that it was a big deal. This was 40 years ago. I remember watching this as a kid and thinking not of deep sociological factors, but that this was a cool show. I appreciate the bantering dialogue even more now than then. The other distinguishing trait of this show was the on location filming from places around the globe. No stock shots here. Watch the show that propelled Bill Cosby to fame. The set Has no special features, but the transfers are very good. This was TV history, and it is fun to watch.

Historic series worth owning.......2007-02-19

Entertaining, Landmark Television Series.......2006-11-16

Classy Spy Show! Don't miss it!.......2005-08-20

Although I think I can remember seeing the opening sequence of 'I Spy' as a child in the sixties ( I probably had to go to bed about that time it was on) it still is a completely new series to me.
I loved Bill Cosby from his comedy show quite a few years ago and wondered what this show could be like and I was not dissapointed and neither will you. You know what a great job the sixties made of Spy and Adventure shows and this is another sixties classic.
Both Bill Cosby and Robert Culp are excellent in this slightly more realistic spy show with great fellow actors and some great comedy too.
It is so refreshing to see Bill Cosby not cast in a stereotyped black role infact maybe even the leader of the two agents.
Great acting, great stories and great locations and all in full color which suprised me as I thought by the box cover that it was in black and white.
There is much to entertain in this great box set and I for one was so impressed that I will get the rest of the other box sets God willing.

Average customer rating:

I Spy a great DVD set
Landmark Series Made TV History
Great Show
Entertaining, Landmark Television Series
I Spy

I Spy Box Set #3

Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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I Spy Box Set #2
I Spy Set 1 (7pc)
I Spy Returns
Mission: Impossible - The Second TV Season
Peter Gunn, Set 2

ASIN: B00006IJNK
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Description

Robert Culp and Bill Cosby star as international espionage agents Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott on highly dangerous missions in this ever-popular, award-winning series. Culp poses as a world-class playboy/tennis player, and Cosby goes undercover as his trainer. Together they travel the world, trading quips and fighting high-level crime with cool bravado and extraordinary savoir-faire. Combining humor with action/intrigue, "I Spy" was the first adventure TV series to be shot in exotic international locales, establishing a new standard for television dramas. Includes Volumes 15-21: The Lotus Eater, Tag, You're It, This Guy Smith, Pinwheel, Bet Me A Dollar, The Robert Culp Collection #1: So Long Patrick Henry, The Robert Culp Collection #2: The War Lord.

Customer Reviews:

I Spy a great DVD set.......2007-02-24

This third set of I Spy is just as good as the previous 2. Many will talk of the nature of the show and how it changed the face of TV and they are right. The real thing of this show was just how good it was. I watched these as a kid and thought they were neat. One has to wonder how much was scripted and how much was adlibbed. The banter between Robert Culp and Bill Cosby seems too conversational to haver been written. The on location filming also was highly unusual for its time.
This set includes two disc call the "Robert Culp Collection". These disc are episodes written by Robert Culp and has audio commentaries by him.

Landmark Series Made TV History.......2007-02-06

Great Show.......2007-01-19

1st Season
1. So Long Patrick Henry
2. A Cup of Kindness
3. Carry Me Back to Old Tsing-Tao
4. Chrysanthemum
5. Dragon's Teeth
6. The Loser
7. Danny Was A Million Laughs
8. A Time of the Knife
9. No Exchange on Damaged Merchandise
10. Tatia *
11. Weight of the World
12. Three Hours on a Sunday Night
13. Tigers of Heaven
14. Affair in T'Sien Cha
15. The Tiger
16. The Barter
17. Always Say Goodbye
18. Court of the Lion
19. Turkish Delight
20. Bet Me A Dollar
21. Return to Glory
22. The Conquest of Maude Murdock
23. A Day Called 4 Jaguar
24. Crusade to Limbo
25. My Mother, The Spy
26. There Was A Little Girl
27. It's All Done With Mirrors
28. One Thousand Fine

2nd Season
29. So Coldly Sweet
30. Lori
31. Sophia
32. Vendetta
33. A Gift from Alexander
34. Trial by Treehouse
35. Sparrowhawk
36. Will the Real Good Guys Please Stand Up?
37. Bridge of Spies
38. One of Our Bombs Is Missing
39. To Florence With Love (Part 1)
40. To Florence With Love (Part 2)
41. Lisa
42. Little Boy Lost
43. Father Abraham
44. Rome Take Away Three
45. Tonia
46. Child Out of Time
47. The Trouble With Temple
48. The War Lord **
49. A Room With A Rack
50. Mainly on the Plains *
51. Get Thee to a Nunnery
52. Blackout
53. Magic Mirror
54. Night Train to Madrid
55. Casanova from Canarsie
56. Cops and Robbers

3rd Season
57. Let's Kill Karlovassi
58. The Beautiful Children
59. Laya
60. The Medarra Block
61. Philotimo
62.The Honorable Assassins
63. Now You See Her, Now You Don't
64. Red Sash of Courage
65. The Seventh Captain
66. Apollo
67. Oedipus at Colonus
68. The Lotus Eater
69. An American Empress
70. Home to Judgment
71. Anyplace I Hang Myself Is Home
72. Tag, You're It
73. A Few Miles West of Nowhere
74. This Guy Smith
75. Turnabout for Traitors
76. Happy Birthday Everybody
77. Shana
78. The Name of the Game
79. Suitable for Framing
80. The Spy Business
81. Carmelita Is One of Us
82. Pinwheel
These are the order of the shows. From reading other reviews the box sets are NOT in order. They have shows from each season. They are not Complete Seasons as one might expect. I can only review the few I've seen. Some seem long and drawn out with no real point, but Robert Culp and Bill Cosby are entertaining. There are several that are well written. It is funny to watch the karate chops and kicks....well executed for that time period. Culp and Cosby are good together and entertaining, and they are what make the show.

Entertaining, Landmark Television Series.......2006-11-16

I Spy.......2005-09-03

This was (is) a great series, although not as great as I remembered. This was Bill Cosby's career launch.

Average customer rating:

I Spy Returns
A nice reunion, but not perfect
Alright in some parts
Old TV show reunion, unsuccessful as usual
Great Reunion Movie!!

I Spy Returns
Starring: Robert Culp , Bill Cosby , George Newbern , Salli Richardson , and Nikolaus Paryla
Director: Jerry London
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Action & Adventure | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

I Spy Box Set #3
I Spy Set 1 (7pc)
I Spy Box Set #2
I Spy - Blackout
I Spy - Philotimo

ASIN: B00006HAWO
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Amazon.com

Thicker waistlines and thinner dialogue don't stop I Spy Returns from being an enjoyable reunion for the stars of the hip '60s TV series. From 1965 to 1968, Bill Cosby and Robert Culp were the ultimate "salt and pepper" duo, playing super-spies Scott and Robinson (respectively) in a show that combined Mission: Impossible intrigue with witty banter and effortless biracial chemistry (at a time when such pairings were still considered experimental). A quarter-century later, Culp was still delightfully acerbic, Cosby had become a TV icon, and I Spy Returns gave them a happy excuse to wreak havoc in Vienna, where Robinson's son (George Newbern) and Scott's daughter (Salli Richardson) are freshly minted spies subjected to unwanted fatherly meddling. It's TV fluff from start to finish, but Cosby and Culp are still cool together, even when they're buck-naked captives of a sniveling British mercenary. It ain't pretty, but it's sure to get a laugh. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

I Spy Returns.......2005-10-13

This is a great movie and I was very excited to get it and Amazon is the greatest place to get new & used items of any kind. Thanks Preston in NM

A nice reunion, but not perfect.......2004-12-29

Reunion movies tend to have their faults. This one is no exception, although I would think it was better than average. Yes, they go with the silly 'the kids are taking over Dad's job, and Dad sneaks around to make sure they don't screw up' plot. However, this really shines in the same place the original series did -- the interaction and dialogue between Cosby and Culp. After all this time, they were still being those characters! Yes, while the scene where they are tied up naked might have been a little more fun if they had been a bit younger *cough*, it led to a wonderful scene. The young stars are pleasant enough, and do their best with what they're given.

Alright in some parts.......2004-11-27

I watched bits and pieces of I Spy Returns! The action is awsome!
the onlything wrong is that fact that later in the movie, it shows culps and cosbys balls, which I'm not all that happy with but otherwise, the movie's pretty good.

Old TV show reunion, unsuccessful as usual.......2002-10-03

With the exception of the rather long series of Alien Nation reunion movies, few reunion TV-movies showing old stars in their old roles have had much success, and this funnied-up resurrection of Kelly and Scotty follows the rule predictably. Getting the progeny of the two heroes together as the new generation spies was stupid enough, but the writers couldn't resist the urge to make the show some sort of parody of itself. There is no suspense, and it's impossible to take the characters at all seriously. On the plus side, it cannot possibly be as bad as the Eddie Murphy bigscreen version is bound to be....

Great Reunion Movie!!.......2002-08-21

I saw this movie in the early 90's,and it was nice to see Cosby and Culp together again after over 20 years since the late 60's.Although Robert Culp did not become as famous as Bill Cosby.I think Culp is a superb although unfortunately an underrated actor.I'm glad to see that this fine reunion movie will be on video soon!!

I Spy - A Thing That Flings and Other Stories

Average customer rating:

Perfect Video for kids

I Spy - A Thing That Flings and Other Stories
Starring: Tara Jayne , Ellen Lee , Cindy Creekmore , Big Al , and Big Al (III)
Director: Cote Zellers
Manufacturer: HBO Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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I Spy - A Rockin' Bronco and Other Stories
I Spy - A Mumble Monster Mystery and Other Stories
I Spy - A Runaway Robot and Other Stories
Goodnight Moon and Other Sleepytime Tales
I Spy Little Animals (I Spy)

ASIN: B000228TAO
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Description

This play-along series airing on HBO Family was inspired by the magical book series. This installment of I SPY adventures follows the successful release of I SPY A Mumble Monster, and I SPY A Runaway Robot. Two delightful characters, Spyler and CeCe, lead young viewers through search and find adventures set in an imaginary world. The series' eclectic soundtrack musically complements the visual assortment of bright objects in the series, incorporating sounds made by everyday objects as musical notes.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect Video for kids.......2007-03-08

My wife is teacher of Kindergarten here in Monterrey, Mexico... she plays this video for toddlers between 4 and 5 years... they love it...

Average customer rating:

Great 1930's Atmosphere
"from the King of Serials on DVD...VCI Entertainment ~ 1937 Secret Agent X-9"
An Historically Interesting Serial.

Secret Agent X-9
Starring: Larry Blake , Monte Blue , Henry Brandon , Jr. Lon Chaney , and Jack Cheatham
Director: Ford I. Beebe
Manufacturer: Vci Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Secret Agent X-9
Mandrake the Magician
Captain Midnight
The Phantom - Serial
Jungle Jim (1936) (2pc)

ASIN: B000087F1A
Release Date: 2003-01-23

Description

When the crown jewels of Belgravia are stolen, Secret Agent X-9 (Scott Kolk) is sent to investigate. With the help of Shara Graustark (serial icon Jean Rogers) our hero soon discovers this to be no ordinary heist but the work of a mysterious master criminal known only as Blackstone. Bonus Features: Actor Biographies| Chapter Menu| Bonus Serial Trailers. Specs: 1-DVD9 + 1-DVD5; Dolby Digital Mono; 240 minutes; Color; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1937; SRP - $19.99.

Customer Reviews:

Great 1930's Atmosphere.......2006-01-09

This is one of two serials of the same name, the second being in 1945 with a different plot and cast. "Secret X-9" was a popular comic strip of the day, based on characters created by the great writer of detective fiction Dashiell Hammett.

This was probably the best serial made as early as 1937 until William Witney came along at Republic Studios and raised the bar for the genre, and the best Universal serial until the 1940's. It has the look and feel of a "real" movie, not all stops and starts like so many other serials. It seems more like a typical mystery film of the 1930's, what "Gang Busters" could have been, perhaps. With the action usually continuing right on through the cliffhangers, it has a tight story and is well acted, with endless switcheroos as to who has the jewels or the paper that will lead to them. The sets are very good, especially the waterfront scenes and the pirate ship in the harbor. The fights, which are fairly short though not well choreographed, are less important than the plot, a welcome change from most serials. Unfortunately the chapter endings are not very remarkable, except for one which has a remarkably bad cheat: Chapter 5 ends with X-9 being shot by a hidden gun in a bookcase--he clutches his stomach and keels over to the floor. In Chapter 6 the gunshot misses him completely and instead knicks his pal Pidge.

Scott Kolk had been a Broadway actor who went to Hollywood with the advent of sound. He became a Universal contract player, and was elevated to a title role for the first time in this serial. But stardom eluded him, and not even a name change to Scott Colton could do the trick; he left films in 1938.

Blond and beautiful Jean Rogers (looking a little like Jean Harlow) is even more attractive as the well-dressed, enigmatic Shara Graustark than she was in her role a year earlier as the scantily-clad Dale Arden in "Flash Gordon," although that was the role that made her a serial icon. Monte Blue is far better in the dual role of Baron Karsten, and the criminal known as Brenda disguised as Karsten, then he was when he chewed up the scenery in "Undersea Kingdom." But Henry Brandon ("Drums of Fu Manchu") steals the bad-guy honors as the master criminal known as Blackstone--it's a shame he doesn't get as much screen time as Blue does. Brandon was a fine actor who separated himself from most other serial actors by underplaying his part. Makes you wonder why he never became more famous.

I love the chases in this because of the great 1930's cars involved--beautiful old automobiles. And I hate the wimpy ending.

"from the King of Serials on DVD...VCI Entertainment ~ 1937 Secret Agent X-9".......2005-10-02

VCI Entertainment and Universal Pictures present Dashiell Hammett, Alex Raymond and Charles Flanders comic strip from King Features Syndicate "Secret Agent X-9 " (1937) (Dolby digitally remastered), 12 Chapters of vintage serial loaded with action sequences...the story line opens with daily strips in the style of Alex Raymond but drawn by Charles Flanders at the beginning of each episode...can Secret Agent X-9 stop the notorious jewel thief "Brenda" from stealing the crown jewel of Belgravian...will the evil "Blackstone" hide the stolen jewels in a safe place that will never be discovered...will speedboat chases ever become an American past time after watching this serial...can the Baron Michael Karsten with the help of X-9 unmask the mysterious "Brenda"...the writers of this 12 Chapter Universal Serial must have been burning the midnight oil, cause it's down to the wire cliffhanger...high production and great stunt work from Universal's serial department...there is a great deal of entertainment here for the cliffhanger fans out there.

Under director's Ford Beebe and Clifford Smith, producers Ben Koenig, Barney A. Sarecky and Henry MacRae with screenplay by Charles Flanders, Dashiell Hammett, Wyndham Gittens, Leslie Swabacker, Norman S. Hall and Ray Trampe...the cast include Scott Kolk (Agent Dexter, X-9), Jean Rogers (Shara Graustark), David Oliver (Pidge), Henry Brandon (Blackstone), Monte Blue (Baron Michael Karsten), Henry Hunter (FBI Agent Tommy Dawson), Larry J. Blake (Chief FBI Agent Wheeler), Lon Chaney Jr (Maroni - primary henchman), Robert Kortman (Trader' Delaney), Eddy Waller (Lawyer Carp), Eddie Parker (marine guard, FBI Agent and Henchman), George Magrill (freighter crewman), Tom Steele (Policeman, FBI Agent, Henchman - stuntman)...great stunt work by George Magrill, Eddie Parker and Tom Steele...stayed tuned and don't miss each exciting chapter...another great serial provided by Universal Pictures during their heyday in the early '30s...by the way musical score by Franz Waxman (scored "Bride of Frankenstein"), Charles Previn (father of Andre Previn), Karl Hajos, Arthur Morton, Edward Vaughan, Sam Perry...also must make mention that Henry Brandon as Blackstone was always one of my favorite villains had the lead in the 1940 serial "Drums of Fu Manchu"...Brandon was often cast as an Indian Chief as in "The Searchers" (1956) and "Two Rode Together" (1961)...Brandon was quite the versatile actor of his day.

CHAPTER TITLES: (Disc One)
1. Modern Pirates
2. Ray That Blinds
3. Man of Many Faces

SPECIAL FEATURES: (Disc One)
BIOS:
1. Scott Kolk
2. Jean Rogers
3. Ford Beebe (Director)

VCI CLIFFHANGER COLLECTION (Disc One) (now available on DVD from VCI)
1. The Adventures of Red Ryder (Don "Red" Barry)
2. Winners of the West (Dick Foran & Harry Woods)
3. Gang Busters (Kent Taylor, Robert Armstrong & Ralph Morgan)
4. Tailspin Tommy (Maurice Murphy, Patricia Farr, Noah Beery Jr, Walter Miller & Grant Withers)

CHAPTER TITLES: (Disc Two)
4. Listening Shadow
5. False Fires
6. Dragnet
7. Sealed Lips
8. Exhibit "A"
9. Masquerader
10.Force Lie
11.Enemy Camp
12.Crime DOES NOT Pay

SPECIAL FEATURES: (Disc Two)
BIOS:
(Same as Disco One)

VCI CLIFFHANGER COLLECTION (Disc Two) (now available on DVD from VCI)
(Same as Disc One)

Own them now on DVD....if you crave action, drama and plenty of adventure then this is the place for all of the above...also check out another release from VCI Entertainment (King of Serials) and Columbia Pictures present Lee Falk and Phil Davis comic strip King feature "Mandrake the Magician" (1939) (Dolby digitally remastered), 12 Chapters of our favorite magician doing battle with "The Wasp", who is out to steal another scientist invention...will our villain of villains succeed in taking the radium energy machine and use it against Mandrake...can good triumph over evil...don't pass this one up.

Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing "Secret Agent X-9" (1937), the digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage serial era...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment, stay tuned once again with top notch action and adventure from the "King of Serials" VCI...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 235 mins on 2 DVD's ~ VCI Entertainment 8341 ~ (1/07/2003)

An Historically Interesting Serial........2005-08-17

Leonard J. Kohl, in his book "Sinister Serials" (2000), declared that this serial "is officially considered lost". Well, thanks in large part to the great collector and preserver of old radio shows and movies, Fred Shay, we now have a clear, clean print of this "lost" serial.

"Secret Agent X-9" began as a newspaper comic strip drawn by Alex Raymond, who had also created "Flash Gordon". Although Dashiell Hammett was apparently hired to help with the plot, he ended up contributing very little. Too bad, because this is one very boring serial. (Universal was just not very good at producing effective stories for this very tricky genre.) The plot has to do with a mysterious jewel thief, the crown jewels of some imaginary country, examining paintings with a ray-beam device to find a bank receipt, boat chases, G-men, etc. It's all rather ho-hum, if you ask me. However, the serial gains in historical significance much of what it lacks in entertainment value, for one of the minor characters is a thug named Marconi who is played by none other than Lon Chaney, Jr. Two years after this serial was released, Chaney would portray Lennie in the movie and stage versions of Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men", and he would go on to become a very popular B-movie star who would also make some significant A-movies.

Each episode on this two-DVD set begins with the serial's titles and credits and, starting with episode 2, a comic strip that outlines what happened during the last episode. This is exactly the way serials were shown in theaters in the "old days", and the way they should be watched today.

Oh sure, sometimes a scene or two is a bit dark, and the framing of the picture is not always perfect, and the crispness of a print made from the original nitrate negative may not be present, still, all in all, this is a top-notch version of a serial that is no longer "lost".

A great addition for anyone collecting old serials, but newcomers to this form of entertainment may wish to begin with one made by Republic Pictures. Now THEY knew how to make a serial!

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