Batman: The Complete Series is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Is it worth the hefty price tag?
Among its most ardent fans, there are few series more beloved than Batman, the spoof tv series centered around the Caped Crusader that ran from 1966 to 1968.
Batman was so well received when it launched in 1966 because of how perfect for the time it was. True to the original Batman comics, the series was perfectly campy, funny, action filled, and full of morality.
One of the elements that made the series work so well is how the show was obviously a spoof, and even though the show didn’t take itself seriously the characters always did. This was causation for a variety of viewing experiences from various audiences. Kids may often find the show very serious, and more perceptive audiences will find the camp more clever.
Adam West’s performance as Batman and Bruce Wayne was perfect for the show being exactly what it needed to be. It was campy, yes, but it was also believable, as were many of the other performances from regulars in the series. Burt Ward was great as Robin and Dick Grayson, and so were Alan Napier as Alfred, Neil Hamilton as Commissioner Gordon, and Stafford Repp as Chief O’Hara.
Batman‘s structure episode to episode remained the virtually the same, but it was able to stay fresh due to the plethora of different villains the show rotated through. Though villains such as The Riddler (Frank Gorshin and John Astin), The Joker (Cesar Romero), The Penguin (Burgess Meredith), and Catwoman (Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt) were the show’s core, it embraced its quirk with oddball villains like King Tut (Victor Buono), Egghead (Vincent Price), and False Face (Malachi Throne).
Not only is this the first time Batman is available on Blu-ray, this is the first time the series has been available in any format. All 120 episodes are now available in a limited edition Blu-ray set, on DVD, and on Digital HD. The complete first season is also available on DVD.
For a series that has never been restored since its airdate over 40 years ago, Batman on Blu-ray looks remarkably good. Although there are frames in nearly episode that just couldn’t get cleaned up to typical Blu-ray standard, the large majority of the footage looks pristine.
Another major draw to this fantastic Blu-ray set is the numerous special features included on the set, all detailed below. The features are very interesting and insightful, and even big fans of Batman will likely learn something they didn’t know. Many of these features showcase artists working today and how Batman has affected their work today. Also of note are features that showcase Adam West today, and how the series has had a dramatic influence on his entire life in both positive and negative ways.
Bonus Features
Will you be purchasing ‘Batman: The Complete Television Series’?
You can order it now on Amazon.
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