Search - Fraggle Rock: The Complete Final Season on DVD

Well, you just cannot leave the magic

William Mitchell | 08/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
This long-awaited collection finally arrives on DVD November 3, 2009! All 24 episodes of the fourth and final season are included in this set, along with nearly two hours of bonus features (the same ones included in last year's Complete Series set released by the Jim Henson Company, HIT Entertainment and Lionsgate).

Some of the most touching, sincere and sentimental episodes are found within the final season of this legendary television experience, including a giant wrap-up taking place over the last three. Perfection is the only suitable word. Everything that IS Fraggle Rock is on prominent display over these ninety minutes, forming one of the most beautiful conclusions to any show in the history of the medium.

Many other episodes demonstrate the Henson team at what is probably the highest point of artistic expression the company has ever known, delivering heartfelt storytelling magic in shows including "Uncle Matt's Discovery," "The Perfect Blue Rollie," "Wembley's Flight," "The Voice Inside," "A Tune for Two," "The River of Life" and "Gone But Not Forgotten." Those last three deal with racism, pollution/environmental awareness and death, respectively, in charming fashion unique to the series; however they, in particular, must be seen to be truly believed.

*Like the previous three season sets, Season 4's bonus material is simply outstanding. Everything you would hope to see and hear about the final season is delivered by familiar faces in a typically wonderful and extensive manner. Close to thirty minutes is spent covering the episodes themselves, with the best of the season (listed above) nearly all discussed by each corresponding writer. Featured are staples Jocelyn Stevenson, Lawrence Mirkin and Jerry Juhl (archival footage), as well as the returning David Young ("The Perfect Blue Rollie," "The River of Life") and newcomer Laura Phillips ("A Tune for Two," "Gone But Not Forgotten").

The list of remaining bonus features are as follows, with the last four alone worth the price of admission:

- The Inner Gorg: interviews body performers Trish Leeper (Ma Gorg), Gord Robertson (Pa Gorg) and Rob Mills (Junior Gorg).

- Designing the Puppets: interviews builders Rollie Krewson and Tim Miller.

- Directing the Fraggles: interviews directors Eric Till and George Bloomfield.

- Let the Music Play: Philip Balsam and Dennis Lee, interviewed together for the first time on DVD, give a first-hand recollection of what it was like to produce two or three unforgettable songs each week.

- Dance Your Cares Away: Philip Balsam discusses the evolution of the theme song. Nearly ten minutes of unused themes are seen and heard here.

- You Cannot Leave the Magic: rare, incredible footage from the last day of shooting.

- Celebrating Fraggle Rock: rare, incredible footage from the show's wrap party.

Simply put, the show speaks for itself. Now that the Henson Company has unloaded HIT, who blatantly failed to release this remaining installment last year, they are finally able to give their top property the home video sendoff it rightly deserves. As most people buying this set already know, there is nothing like Fraggle Rock. For those revisiting these last episodes: it's as good as you dare remember. For those who know the show but haven't seen this season: the best is yet to come.


Fraggle Rock Season 4 episode list:

1. Sidebottom Blues
2. Uncle Matt's Discovery
3. Junior Faces the Music
4. A Tune for Two
5. The Perfect Blue Rollie
6. A Brush with Jealousy
7. Wembley's Flight
8. Red's Blue Dragon
9. Wonder Mountain
10. Space Frog Follies
11. Boober Gorg
12. Mirror, Mirror
13. The Riddle of Rhyming Rock
14. The Voice Inside
15. The Trial of Cotterpin Doozer
16. The River of Life
17. Beyond the Pond
18. Gone But Not Forgotten
19. Mokey, Then and Now
20. Ring Around the Rock
21. Inspector Red
22. The Gorg Who Would Be King
23. The Honk of Honks
24. Change of Address


*To date (8/23/2009), there is no word if this collection will include a replica of production or art material like the previous sets. If an inclusion is announced, I will update this review."

Love the show, not the packaging

rhodahood | 11/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Love the show hands down! But the packaging was a disappointment. I have the first three seasons and have waited a long time for the final season to be released. I was hoping that the packaging would be the same as the previous 3 but it was not. To be honest I would have paid extra money to have the "extras" that were included in the other seasons. Such as the booklet and the unique way that the others were put together not some plastic case like this one. But all in all the show is what really matters and I am pleased with that."

Great DVD(s), lame packaging

GGF | 12/06/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For those eagerly awaiting for the release of the final season of the Fraggles that never came, this is a wish come true: Episodes are as great as ever, DVD transfer at the same quality as the previous releases, closed-captioned as always, and one disc of extras.
Where this release loses the fifth star, is packaging:
Forget the embossed cover, the nice touch of the materials the previous releases had, and, most important, the goodies that awaited you in the inner sleeve of those releases. (You can forget the inner sleeve also)
Instead, imagine a standard DVD plastic case, then make it thicker, so than it can hold five DVDs in there, and that's about it. Not even a leaflet with the titles of the episodes! (so forget the summaries too)
What you must NOT forget, however, is that the previous company did NOT release this at ALL, so, better than nothing, I guess, although definately not a strong collector's item...
The choice, as always, is yours!"

Finally!!

Roselynde Barrow | Santa Cruz, CA USA | 11/30/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"So Hit Entertainment finally listened. . . Sort of. We got the final season by itself, but the packaging is sh---y and it doesnt have any of the cool inserts that the others do. Worth the 19.99 I paid for it, but not the 29.99 it's MSRP'd at."