Banacek: Season 1 [DVD]

This has been a great year for mystery on TVDVD: Two, count 'em, two seasons of Rockford (the Elvis of TV P.I.s); the late '80s revival of Columbo (the quintessential TV detective and spiritual father of Matlock, Monk, and Goren); Ironside (Burr was a presence that consumed the screen); and two of David E. Kelley's best -- The Practice and the quirky smalltown "cop" show Picket Fences (you can have your inane Ally McBeal and the ham-handed Boston Legal). But when I discovered Banacek was about to hit the shelves, I nearly threw an embolism of retro ecstacy. Before I became acquainted with James Scott Rockford, George Peppard was my gold standard for cool (I went through eighth grade in a turtleneck, no doubt sparking rumors of parental abuse and/or bohemian depression. While not as flashily eccentric as Mystery Movie cohorts Columbo or McCloud, Banacek staked out his own unique detectival territory: The "howdunit," or impossible crime -- in this case, theft on the grandest scale imaginable. Just as Columbo managed to mesmerize with two hours of dialogue-dominated plot, Banacek kept us guessing with a minimum of homicide (except for the occasional collateral murder). The solutions to these mini-movie mysteries were worthy of Ellery Queen or John Dickson Carr, and the path to them was usually littered with savory red herrings.TV mystery scholars have noted that beyond Banacek's ethnic heritage and colorfully cryptic Polish proverbs, he lacked the larger-than-life persona of a Columbo or Ironside. But what grabbed me on rewatching the DVD that sailed right over my adolescent head was the well-concealed complexity of the character. Behind Banacek's urbane musings and womanizing, we see occasional flashes of his blue-collar upbringing (watch for the gold watch scene in Let's Hear it for a Living Legend -- a glimpse into the motivation behind Banacek's glee in besting insurance companies); a hard-edged sense of decency (he gives a voluntarily homeless mom unsolicited money for her child's milk along with an ascerbic comment on her rejection of material things); and a courtesy and respect for working men and women of all stripes. Only thing to regret here is the missing pilot, Detour to Nowhere, and the cool Quincy Jones Wednesday Mystery Movie themeNow give me the first season of Harry O and at least a sampling of The Name of the Game, and I'll cheerfully lock myself in for the next two years.

George Peppard starring as Thomas Banacek, Boston's finest freelance Insurance investigator is called into action for a price when others can't seem to get the job done. George Peppard was the perfect choice for the role of the Polish-American detective Thomas Banacek. George Peppard had a very charming and charismatic approach to the way he conducted and solved an investigation and made it seem believable. Season one of This classic 70's show contains the first eight action-packed and intriguing episodes that feature guest appearances by Brenda Vaccaro, Penny Marshall, Mike Farrell, Curt Gowdy to name a few. Banacek is sometimes helped out by his wisecracking and street smart chauffeur Jay (Ralph Manza) and British bookstore owner Felix Mullholland (Murray Matheson) and fans will really enjoy these characters as well.Fans of "Banacek" will be upset to learn that the original pilot episode "Detour to Nowhere" is not included in this DVD release and that's a huge disappointment. Bonus features also include a Photo gallery, TV Guide Crossword puzzle and Exclusive access to a Banacek microsite. The video and sound transfer from Hart Sharp Video is decent and just about what I expected for a show of its age. The transfers seem to have been remastered for DVD but still suffer from some grain and age related artifacts.Overall I rate the season one DVD release of "Banacek" four stars because the original pilot episode wasn't included. I definitely rate this great show from the 1970's Five Stars all the way for pure entertainment value. I can't wait for the final release of the second season of "Banacek" because there's more Capers,Cigars and Commission to be had. Unfortunately they don't make TV shows like this anymore.DVD Specs:Number of Discs: 2Number of Episodes: 8Running Time: 576 minsEpisodes Included:Disc #1- Let's Hear it for a Living Legend- Project Phoenix- No Sign of the Cross- A Million the Hard WayDisc #2-To Steal a King-Ten Thousand Dollars a Page-The Greatest Collection of Them All-The Two Million Clams of Cap'n Jack

Good quality DVD's. Excellent tv series

Well, finally we have Banacek available on DVD. The only other missing link is perhaps "The Name of the Game" of 1960's through 1980's Television sleuths that represent the Golden Age of Television Detectives. Banacek is different. A private investigator of recovery in insurance scam attempts and thefts. The classic of course is our famous weekly series that featured Columbo, MacMillan & Wife, McCloud and the ever changing 4th slot in the monthly rotation. This series was different and interestingly plotted. The location scenery, the '41 Packard, and especially that Used Antiquarian Bookshop of his friend,Mulholland bring some fresh air to the standard formula of murder in other series. Here we deal with aristocrats but unlike Columbo, there is no need for Homicide. Our rich are involved in insurance fraud for Gold coins, Ancient books, Paintings and therefore we can believe the characters here as a little closer to reality. Banacek can be counted on to succeed where other minds fail, get the girl, and live extravagantly at the same time. All within 90 minutes a case! Now, as to the DVD, well, I know it is not top notch but I am just glad to have a copy of these episodes. Perhaps the company felt it was not as important as some other longer running shows. I no doubt will buy the second half when it is released, but it should include the pilot and some sort of commentary would be appreciated.

This is one of those TV mystery movie franchises that were so popular in the early 1970's.This one stars George Peppard (The A-Team) as Thomas Banacek (pronounced Banner-Check).He recovers rare and very valuable merchandise for 10% of the price of the stolen item. Quite profitable and lucrative as the police and other investigators don't have a clue. Which isn't really surprising since how he figures out how to crime was done needs a lot of explanation at the ending simply because you never get to see any of the clues that brings him to his conclusions. So there is about 10 minutes at the end of the show where he explains how it was done in flashback. Take the episode where a armoured truck filled with gold bullion is driven across the desert and then mysteriously disappears off a cliff with only the tracks of the tires as the clue. Where did it go? Two guards are found at the bottom of the cliff but no truck. You would think that it was air-lifted off the ground by helicopter and flown away.But you would be wrong.Banacek also goes around quoting old Polish proverbs since he is Polish. But when he explains what they mean it's more confusing than the proverb itself. The only one which made any sense to me was the proverb "A smart man never plays leap frog with a Unicorn".This a very entertaining if not sometimes confusing series but fun all the same.Guest stars include:Jessica Walter (Play Misty for Me)Pernell Roberts (Adam Cartwright on Bonanza)Margot Kidder (Superman)plus others.There are 9 episodes including the pilot in this set.This is season 1. But season 2 is also available which I will be watching next. But I don't usually review each season of a series. Just one. As I figure that if you liked the first season you will like the rest that follow.

I've been waiting for this: to write one more review all about Mr. George Peppard. What about Banacek? I LOVE his clothes, I would like to wear the feminine version of his outfits. I love the scriptwriters because of the great job they did; they created a perfect showcase for Mr. George.The music, the location (Boston), the plots, the more than witty dialogues, the old school charm of the whole series, Banacek's lifestyle: I agree with everything.One of my favorite episodes is "Project Phoenix" with Joanna Pettet (who plays a woman engineer). They were very well paired, both handsome and stylish. (She ended up on George's lap on and off the set: who could blame her, being in love with George is a very nice disease...)It's a pity he did only two seasons of Banacek.Banacek as a character was not a chauvinist but rather an aesthete. Banacek loved women: I really enjoyed the 'sword-fighting' between him and the lead female character in EVERY episode. It's one of the great things in life to have the opportunity to tease an intelligent handsome man and he is staying in the game. I think what I see in Banacek and his women is a courtship ritual.Banacek and other TV series from the Golden Age of Television were sophisticated, classy, 'high end' and so well-written: great joy to watch and for me personally (though I appreciate the other actors) the endless delight of looking at George Peppard's body and face. My life is not the same since I 'discovered" him in Pendulum (1968 - wonderful scenes with Jean Seberg as the cheating wife).I'm going to buy Banacek Season 2. And other movies George Peppard was in. I want to find out everything he did apart from the A-Team.He's done so many good movies, has worked with great people like Orson Welles, Edward Dmytryk, James Mason, Lee Remick, Michael York, Jean Seberg, John Guillermin. Inger Stevens...I want to thank the person who signed him at MGM. What would have happened to him if he had not been let in... the quotation is not from me ... "he was born to be on the screen and was better than the best of the best".

Found this as a result of 'googling' George Peppard after finishing up The A-Team boxset. I noticed a lot of Peppards back catalogue is missing in terms of dvd/blu ray releases so was thrilled to find this period piece in its entirety (season 1). The series ran for 2 seasons only and centres around Peppards character - an insurance agent who investigates what appear to be impossible thefts. Theme music is is a let down and apparently Peppard quit the show before season 3 because he wanted to prevent an ex-wife benefiting from proceeds during a divorce. Enjoyable alternative to Columbo but not as action packed as say - Hawaii 5 -O/Gunsmoke which were also NBC period shows made around the same time.

This is the first time I have seen Banacek. I remember it being on in the 70's but I didn't watch it. It is a good series and I enjoyed watching it. I also purchased series 2 and that was good as well. Worth the price I paid and I would buy it again if need be.

We remembered this from years ago and bought box seasons. Nice to watch a series which has us guessing how the crime was done. George Peppard is so cool and plays this with humour. Nice clear copies. If we could get his car, we'd have it. Lovely.