Bewitched- The Complete Series Blu-ray Review
“Bewitched” is a classic sitcom.
In case you somehow don’t know, 1964’s Sol Saks created “Bewitched” is a supernatural sitcom about a not so normal married couple (Samantha and Darrin). Darrin is a mortal human advertising man while his wife is a witch. He didn’t know her big secret at first, but Samantha loves him and opts to try and become a normal suburban housewife. Of course, she can’t fully shed her witchy ways as she uses her powers to make things appear, transform things, move objects, etc. Her mother (Endora) also pops in and out of her house at any given time. Endora is judgmental of mortal humans and wants Samantha to embrace her witch heritage.
Over the course of 8 seasons, plots involved Darrin’s boss Larry, the couple’s nosy neighbors Gladys and Abner, marital nerves, Endora playing tricks on Darrin, the couple having a daughter (Tabitha) and later a son (Adam), Warlocks, Samantha’s family (including Father Maurica, Aunt Clara, Uncle Arthur and Cousin Serena), Darrin’s family, Tabitha developing powers, Samantha becoming the Queen of Witches, Esmeralda (a witch who becomes Samantha’s maid), a Salem vacation and a Europe trip, and Samantha traveling back in time.
There are certain sitcoms that have endured through the ages and “Bewitched” is one of them. From the animated opening credits with the iconic theme song to Samantha’s nose twitches, the comedic fantasy series has permanently ingrained itself into pop culture history. Even though you have to wonder how Darrin would not go insane with everything he goes through from being turned into so many things to dealing with Endora invading their privacy, it’s hard not to get invested in Samantha and Darrin’s adventures (the Dick York version, but more on that shortly). Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha) is a national treasure. Her smile, chemistry with the cast, and line deliveries are nothing short of charming. It’s especially fun to see Montgomery in dual roles as Samantha and Serena. Dick York IS Darrin. He’s the perfect mortal every man. Dick Sargent (who replaced an ill York in season 6) is a downright bore and the show was not the same with him in seasons 6 to 8.
The series is at its best in the first 3 seasons especially as the writers navigated their complex marriage, Samantha being torn between her new married life and her life as a witch, and Darrin having to adjust to his world being turned upside down. The writers were also much more creative in this period as later seasons find the premise wearing thin and writers literally repeating stories (like Tabitha bringing storybook characters to life). The early seasons were more unpredictable as you were never quite sure what could happen. Darrin might be turned into a werewolf or become turned into a chimp.
Of course, we can’t talk about “Bewitched” without talking about Agnes Moorehead as Endora. Even though she’s family, she’s the perfect foil for their marriage (and especially Darrin). She takes over the show anytime she’s on screen because she has that much of a screen presence. You can’t imagine anyone else in this role.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How do the episodes look? This Mill Creek release is bound to be controversial for home media enthusiasts. Instead of being in the original aspect ratio (1.33:1), the series is presented in 1.78:1 (even though the box lists 1.33:1). It’s not ideal to be sure, but the episodes at least look respectable. The B&W episodes have sharper image quality while the color episodes are much more vivid (and look better on Blu-ray).
Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How do the episodes sound? From the sound effects to the laugh track, the 2.0 track delivers nice clean audio.
Extras:
* A booklet titled “Bewitched Recaptured: A Cosmic Chronicle” by Herbie J. Pilato which features history about the show, an episode guide (which has errors) and bonus feature guide, season breakdowns
* Commentary on 16 episodes that include “I, Darrin, Take This Witch, Samantha” (by Chris York and Rob Ray), “Mother Meet What’s-His Name” (Chris York and Rob Ray), “A Is For Aardvark” (Chris York and Rob Ray), “Aunt Clara’s Old Flame” (David Mandel and Rob Ray), “And Then There Were Three” (David Mandel and Rob Ray), “Double, Double…Toil And Trouble” (Steve Olim and Chris York), “Samantha’s Thanksgiving To Remember” (Rob Ray), “Mirror, Mirror On The Wall” ( Steve Olim and Chris York), “Samantha And The Beanstalk” (Johnny Whitaker), “Paul Revere Rides Again” (Peter Ackerman), “Sisters At Heart” (2 tracks for this one- one by Janee Michelle and one by Rob Ray), “Out Of The Mouths Of Babes” (Eric Scott and Chris York), “Adam, Warlock Or Washout” (David Mandel), “Samantha’s Magic Sitter” (Ricky Powell), and “George Washington Zapped Here Part 1” (Eric Scott and Rob Ray).
* “Bewitched- Behind The Magic”- A half-hour documentary on disc 22 that digs into the show’s origins and history and includes discussions about Elizabeth Montgomery, set stories, Dick York and Dick Sargent. Interviews with historian Herbie J. Pilato, Rob Ray, David Mandel, Steve Olim, Eric Scott, and Chris York are included.
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