Theatrical Release Date:October 26, 1982 Release Date:November 28, 2006 Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Editorial Reviews:
Product Description Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 08/05/2008 Run time: 1078 minutes Rating: Nr
Amazon.com Beginning its six-year run in 1982, St. Elsewhere was neither television's first ensemble medical drama nor, heaven knows, its last. Yet this four-disc set of all 22 episodes from the first season is a reminder that this was, and still is, one of the very best. Even now, when "reality" programming blights the landscape like some biblical plague, doc, cop, and lawyer shows remain staples of the medium, and while the likes of C.S.I., E.R., and Grey's Anatomy have it all over St. Elsewhere in the sizzle department--the production values are much flashier, the content sexier, more graphic, and faster-moving, the technology both in front of and behind the camera light years more sophisticated--the older show, despite its somewhat cheesy '70s vibe, is the hands-down winner when it comes to the actual steak. That's because it does it the old-fashioned way: by relying on good writing, vividly-drawn, identifiable characters, and excellent performances by an eye-opening group of actors.
Co-creators Joshua Brand and John Falsey's pilot episode, which establishes the scene at Boston's St. Eligius Hospital (mocked as "St. Elsewhere" due to its rundown facilities and reputation as a "dumping ground" for the poor and disenfranchised), isn't especially promising. While we can see right away that the show sports a lighter, more humorous tone than others of its genre, the direction is static, the acting and dialogue are often stiff, and what passes for "chaos" is pretty tame. But it hits its stride almost immediately thereafter, as the characters (including Howie Mandel's wisecracking Dr. Fiscus, David Morse's driven, committed Dr. Morrison, William Daniels' egotistical, pompous Dr. Craig, and Ed Begley, Jr.'s nerdy Dr. Ehrlich) are more fully realized. The cast, in fact, may be the most impressive ever assembled for a TV program: in the first season alone, the list of actors with regular, recurring, and one-shot appearances includes future movie stars Denzel Washington (a regular, but his role is minor), Tim Robbins, Ally Sheedy, Christopher Guest, Laraine Newman, Ray Liotta, Tom Hulce, Michael Madsen, and Rae Dawn Chong. Sure, some of the multiple storylines are dated: the handling of issues like gun control, immigration, and terrorism seems almost quaint by today's standards, and a running gag concerning ladies man Dr. Samuels' (David Birney) having to inform his many lovers that he has gonorrhea comes off as tasteless and unfunny, notwithstanding that era's low awareness of AIDS and other STDs. But on the whole, this St. Elsewhere set (extras include audio commentary for "Cora and Arnie," plus four featurettes) is a reminder of episodic TV at its best. --Sam Graham
Good TV I had never seen beforeDecember 27, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Yes, I missed this when it was on TV, and I'd like to know where the rest of the series is. One season is not enough. It's so much fun to watch Denzel, Howie, and the rest in their early days, with those 80s clothes and hair-dos. And this show really tackled some tough material: Down Syndrome, abortion, mental illness, hostage-taking, Munchausen Syndrome, drug addiction, and more. Come on, studios, get the rest of these out on DVD!
Falters early on, but quickly rises to meet two decades of high praise!October 31, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Having watched St. Elsewhere when it was originally broadcast, I had been left with memories of a truly high quality series in every regard (acting, writing, and directing). I was extremely happy to see this series finally get a DVD release, but I was also anxious to see if it could actually measure up to my memories...
The first episode doesn't disappoint, it's a great debut. But then, the writing stalls a bit. A suggestion for new viewers would be, don't bail out because of the tweety and ralph storyline, or because of uneven writing in the beginning few episodes. Once things begin to pick up, St. Elsewhere really does rise to meet the high praise it has so regularly received over the years. I'm happy to say that after watching season one, my memories of a "great series" were in fact correct. Truly one of the best of the 80's, and of all time.
I cannot end this review without mentioning the fact that I have never really liked E.R. or Chicago Hope, two series that perhaps owe a great debt to St. Elsewhere. A huge production and "names" (producers, actors) do not always create a superior product. In fact, the simple low key approach taken by St. Elsewhere is what helps it to rise above the more "produced" efforts on TV.
Give St. Elsewhere a try! Don't give up after just a few episodes, watch the complete first season! I promise, you'll be yelling for the long overdue release of season two!
JM
st.elsewhereSeptember 18, 2008 Am awaiting further releases of this series.Would purchase all six seasons.The show was phenomenal for it's time and brings back memories.Judy-Michigan
So Very DissappointedSeptember 15, 2008 I love this series. Of all the series's I have become attached to (from Hill Street Blues to the current Life) this is the one that has remained in my conscience, the one that my everyday life references more often than I'd like to admit. Why, oh why, haven't more seasons been released on DVD?? I would gladly buy a box set of the entire show. If anyone knows where to get more than Season 1, please let me know.
This is must DVD watching!!July 28, 2008 This show is awsome!!! I knew when watching this show that these were excellent actors. The story lines were wonderful and seeing some new faces at the time that were unknown was a breath of fresh air.
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