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Survivor:Complete First SeasonRating:
Release Date: 11 May, 2004 Retail Price: $49.99 OUR Price: $37.49 You SAVE: $12.50! Cast: |
Survivor:Complete First Season Reviews
SURVIVOR IS (STILL) HOT
Being a late-comer to the "Survivor" series (only starting with "Pearl Islands") I was thrilled to see that they had decided to release the earlier series on DVD. Of course, after watching "All Stars", I knew who everyone (Rich, Sue, Rudy & Jenna) was and who had won the first series, "Survivor: Borneo". BUT, this did not take from my enjoyment of it one bit! Firstly, to those of you reading who have never seen this series (And if not, why?)BEWARE OF THE PACKAGING! It's unfortunate that on the back of the box-set it reveals the winner's name. Furthermore, each of the four discs of the actual series gives a synopsis of each episode, and, also, the name of the person voted off at each tribal council. Obviously the set is directed towards people who have seen it and are reliving the magic again. The fifth disc (Yes, there are five!) is a special previously released disc of the greatest moments from the series (an excellent touch) and is well worth a watch. The fourth disc contains a few special features ('Survivors leave Los Angeles', 'David Letterman-Top Ten' & a 'Look back with Rich, Rudy and Gervase') but they're nothing to go mad about. On the other hand, the documentary entitled 'Survivor: The Phenomenon' (on the fifth disc) is good, with a little insight into the making of the series. Compared to some of the later series, I was amazed at how remarkably similar some of the elements were (the initial marooning of the survivors, for example), though I'm extremely glad that the producers decided to get rid of that ever-so-cheesy gong at the entrance to tribal council. Some of the challenges are simple, yet all are enjoyable, and there's something ever so raw about the camera-work that really seems to...well...work. The picture and sound quality are of the highest degree and make it so much more enjoyable. With four episodes played on each of the discs (excluding the last two) I found it really difficult to tear myself away from the television after one sitting. I now sit here twiddling my thumbs, patiently awaiting the release of "Survivor; Austrailian Outback. For the mean time, I am very content to play "Borneo" over and over again. (Sorry, I couldn't resist: Isn't Colleen the hottest thing you've ever seen in those blue lycra shorts?!)
The original and still the best
The show has changed over the years...and not necessarily for the better. Watching the first season of Survivor, you can really see how the simpler, cleaner and more laid-back filming style worked wonders, turning a longshot reality show into the hottest series of the year.
Later editions, like Australian Outback and Survivor: Africa, tried to tinker with the format, adding more music and other bells and whistles...and eventually Survivor became what it is today (slick and processed). It lost the "edge" Survivor: Borneo displays, the unique feeling that you were staring reality in the face, and anything could happen at any given moment.
Also, back then the show focused on little things that meant nothing: people playing ukeleles, sitting around, swinging in hammocks. Today it seems as if every Survivor contestant's day is scheduled down to the minute. Episodes are edited to create fake crises and promote certain characters/storylines. Alliances are purposely covered up by the producers to keep viewers in the dark. With Survivor: Borneo, you get none of this.
I still like Survivor, and watch it every season, but season one is definitely the best. This DVD collection contains every minute of footage shown on TV, plus the "Greatest Moments" disc and some episode commentary. Well worth the money. Five stars!
P.S. Richard Hatch rocks! :)
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