Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6754 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-08-13
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Box set, Full Screen, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 730 minutes

Amazon.co.uk
The magic on Morning Glory Circle continues as Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery), Darrin (Dick York), and Endora (Agnes Moorehead) return in Bewitched - The Complete Fifth Season. Join the Stephens family as Samantha takes a trip back to 1868 New Orleans (with guest stars Jack Cassidy and Isabel "Woozy" Sanford), Endora shrinks Darrin down to size, Serena tries her luck at computer dating, and Tabitha wreaks havoc in nursery school. This four-disc DVD collection contains all 30 episodes of season five, marking the final season with Dick York as Darrin.

Synopsis
Elizabeth Montgomery plays Samantha, a witch who trades in her magical powers for marriage--or tries to, anyway--in this classic sitcom from the 1960s. A witch who inherited her powers from her feisty mother Endora (Agnes Moorhead), Samantha agrees not to use her powers anymore when she decides to marry mere mortal Darrin Stephens (Dick York)--both of which actions disappoint her mother greatly. Not to worry, though, because most of the time Samantha just can't help herself, using her magic and creating many a hilariously sticky situation for Darrin, especially with his boss, Larry Tate (David White). This release includes the fifth series in its entirety, including episodes where Endora gives Darrin the world's biggest ego, Uncle Arthur (Paul Lynde) transports Napoleon into the future, and Samantha goes back in time to the streets of New Orleans in 1868.

Customer Reviews

The last classic Dick York season - Just buy it now
Originally filmed in colour (seasons one and two are re-coloured B&W but still look as good). My daughter [12] has all the first 5 seasons of Bewitched and loves them - she is a worst Witch and latterly a 'Charmed' all 8 seasons fan-atic. I asked my daughter what she thought of this season - she said 'All the seasons are all really good as long as it hasn't got that new guy in it', i.e. it can only be Dick York as Samantha's hubby Darrin for her. And I agree. Sadly Dick York became ill just before season 6 and couldn't film [he died in 1992], so he was replaced by the 'new' Darrin Stephens, Dick Sargent for all the remaining seasons. Dick Sargent never recaptured the magic of Dick York and Elizabeth Montgomery, and sadly by then the studio was running out of ideas (in Sargent's last season 8 they were even reduced to re-filming earlier B&W episodes). Ironically Dick Sargent was originally cast to play Darrin Stephens, but due to his other commitments Dick York took the part, and made it his own. In fact Elizabeth Montgomery wanted to finnish it at the end of this season 5 after Dick York dropped out, and leave Bewitched on a high note, but she was persuaded to film another 3 seasons with Sargent.

The chemistry between Dick York and Elizabeth Montgomery is spot on - they really seem like the perfect loving married couple - and Endora's a great mother-in-law from hell (well often India anyway), who knows, quite rightly, that `Derek' isn't good enough for her Samantha. This season includes Serena (Sam's wayward witch cousin also played by Elizabeth M), and prankster warlock Uncle Arthur - sadly Marion Lorne [Aunt Clara] had just died suddenly after the end of filming season 4. Young Tabitha's also present, still played by both Murphy twins, although in many episodes the plotline often carries on happily as if she didn't exist (thank goodness for babysitters). There's much to enjoy in season 5, with it's better special effects and imaginative stories, plus theres a few guest stars like Jonathon Harris [Dr Smith, Lost in Space] and Henry Gibson [hot from Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in].

This four DVD set has all 30 episodes from season five (run time 759 minutes). It's also very well presented, just as the last four seasons, although there's no extras. This is in keeping with Elizabeth Montgomery's wishes that the episodes should stand on their own with no backstage gossip (she stoutly refused to twitch her nose outside of filming Bewitched, saying Samantha Stephens did that, not Elizabeth Montgomery the actress). Picture quality is very good for the age, excellent even on a 14" telly, and the sound is clear but in mono. We bought the DVD in NTSC from Amazon resellers as it was cheaper. A classic sitcom, that's never been off-air since it's creation, and still a hit the younger generation. Also have a look at the single season spin-off series 'Tabitha' from 1977 (2 DVD set, NTSC amazon resellers only), that my daughter rather enjoyed [probably as a bit of light relief after watching her 'Bewitched' seasons 1 to 5 DVD sets many many times].

The series that never falters.
This series never seemed to weaken as the years went by. By 1968, Bewitched was in it's 5th season, and the characters remain as well-developed as ever. This is ideal for watching either in no particular order,or chronologically. Great fun to watch,over 40 years later.

Last one for York fans!
This is the last series where you have Dick York as Darrin. In here you can see several episodes without him. Dick York had a serious back problem and that is the reason he had to leave the show.

It is a pity as I always preferred him as Darrin. He was more aggressive, more passionate than Dick Sargent. I will watch the remaining series longing for Dick York.

A very nice episode is one where Serena tries to find a mortal boyfriend. One of the best in the series. I will not spoil for you though.