Movie DVD A likable mix of WWII action and light comedy, the first 10 episodes of the NBC series Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976-78) wing their way onto DVD in this double-sided two-disc set. Based on the adventures of Marine Corps pilot Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington (played in the series by the always dependable Robert Conrad) and his squadron of roguish ace fliers in the South Pacific Theater, Baa Baa Black Sheep benefited from an excellent cast (which included such TV and film vets as Simon Oakland and Dana Elcar, as well as up-and-comers like John Larroquette and Larry Manetti of Magnum, P.I.) and scripts from series creator Stephen J. Cannell (as well as long-time TV scribes like Philip De Guere and Milt Rosen) that offered a enjoyable balance of humor and combat. The blend gets an excellent showcase in the 1976 two-hour pilot, Flying Misfits, which kicks off volume 1; the remaining 10 adventures pit Pappy and the Black Sheep boys against the Axis Japanese in a secret squadron of captured planes (“The Meatball Circus,” episode 8), a brainwashed American captain (“Presumed Dead,” episode 7), and a tough major (Charles Napier) with designs on commanding the squadron (“Best Three out of Five,” episode 3). Fans of the series may question the decision to include only half of the first season’s episodes in this set (the 1976-77 season ran for an additional 12 episodes before being dropped by NBC; the series was revived in late 1977, rechristened Black Sheep Squadron, and ran for an additional 13 episodes before being canceled in 1978), but the inclusion of the two-part pilot and interviews with the real Pappy Boyington (who served as the show’s consultant and even cameos in the pilot) should appease any concerns. –Paul Gaita
Buy “Baa Baa Black Sheep – Volume 1″ For Only $25.98
March 4, 2010
#1
Amazon really needs to add a ZERO STARS option. Even one star is too much for this show.
Back in the ’70s, I used to love this program. But from the day it went off the air, I slowly began to realize that is was completely fabricated. Except for a pilot named Pappy Boyington and a Marine Squadron 214, everything about this show was not only made up, but a complete farce, featuring drunks with a complete lack of discipline who somehow manage to defeat the enemy. Knowing all of this, I bought this DVD anyway, but I just can’t bring myself to watch it again and again. Time to move on. I donated it to a Church yard sale and it didn’t even sell there!
With all of the remakes being done, I hope someday somebody does an accurate, intelligent version of the story of the real Black Sheep squadron.
March 4, 2010
#2
When I ordered Baa Baa Black Sheep, it was based on childhood memories of having seen the show when it was airing on television. At that time, I was less discerning about my interest in all things concerning WWII aircraft. Still, that’s often the problem when one bases a decision to buy a dvd on childhood memories. There are so many historical inaccuracies and disappointments in this drama series that it makes for difficult and, at times, embarrassing viewing. Many instances are so illogical and absurd that even a preliminary knowledge of the history of the Black Sheep Squadron, Pappy Boyngton and the war in the Pacific reveals the shortcomings. For instance, the opening episodes, are punctuated with:
- Pappy Boyngton persuading Admiral Nimitz to promote him to Major over long distance telephone;
- a drunken, brawling band of misfits awaiting court marshall having their careers reinstated due to the unlikely efforts of Pappy Boyngton;
- a General portrayed as whiskey swilling and undisciplined, carousing with the band of misfits and then being persuaded by Boyngton to allow them to set up a squadron if Boyngton will keep him supplied with his favourite whiskey;
- the incumbent squadron being replaced as a result of Boyington masquerading as a doctor and persuading authorities that the incumbents are suffering from malaria and must be relieved;
- Boyngton’s pilots refusing to obey orders and discipline falling apart when Boyngton crashes his plane and is missing on a Japanese occupied island.
The series cannot be viewed as historically relevant. It is a bawdy romp about a group of hard drinking, fist-fighting goons who are less interested in fighting the war and upholding the honour of the services they represent than they are in chasing women and engineering circumstances to gain whatever benefit the war can provide them. The characters are one dimensional types who act according to form without depth or interest. There is the Admiral’s son who confronts demons of the past and is labelled a jinx – the female commander of the nurses who fawn over the airmen is a cardboard cutout of Vera, the tough prison warden of the Australian drama series, “Prisoner”. Clearly this is a disservice to the brave men and women who fought in the Pacific war if it were ever to be regarded seriously – it is just too jocular, superficial, inaccurate and absurd. Instead, the series can only be viewed as a poorly scripted, fictitious ’70s attempt at a comedy/drama without the intended humour and gags of Hogan’s Heroes. Still, the aeroplanes are genuine and there are some decent aerial combat scenes. However, the problem is having to endure the silly plot-line in between the action.
March 5, 2010
#3
I love the show but one of the CD’s was defective and the quality was terrible. Could not view several of the shows on the CD. The other CD was fine.
Ed
March 5, 2010
#4
As a kid growing up… I fell in love with show… I still sings the opening theme daily…
March 5, 2010
#5
This is a terrific show produced by the great Donald P. Bellasario (of Magnum, P.I. fame) but the DVD is terrible. It freezes and skips and makes itself impossible to manuver through the menu. Some serious quality corners were cut in the manufacture of this turkey.