Big Valley - Season 1 (1965)

The First Season is the Best Season

I've always loved the Big Valley as a latchkey kid growing up. I would watch it at home every day after school, followed by the show Bonanza. My brother liked Bonanza, but I liked the Big Valley more. I always liked they way the Barkley family stood together and for one another to solve each others problems and to fight the evil forces that would constantly attack them. Unfortunately today, we live in a society with divided families and no one to be there for you when you need them. The Barkley's are a fine representation of the original true American family. May 31, 2008

boy howdy...still a classic

I had never seen this show until i caught an episode on tv and i was instantly hooked.Even though there are no extras I still rate this dvd
set at 5 stars because of the quality of the dvds and the quality of this
series.Shows like these are a treasure and I hope to collect every episode.
May 2, 2008

Family TV at its finest

Big Valley is one of the finest examples of the type of family centered television representative of a by-gone age. The all star cast of incredibly beautiful "good guys" stand tall against a land of hardship and promise but with the rich never forgetting the sacrifices and hard work that it took to get to the big house and always helping those in need. But through it all, good and bad, is the bond of a loving family and core values of hard work, integrity, pride and charity that out society has long since forgotten. The background for the scenes, the story-lines with heart, and and exciting line-up of guest stars make the Big Valley one of my favorite places to retreat to in my relaxation time. And I always come away with a "feel good" mood that carries me through. I look forward to collecting the entire series so I can enjoy the entire range of adventures. April 21, 2008

A show about family values, simply best-in-class

The Big Valley is one of the shows that had "formative powers." At an early age, I left Cuba alone and traveled through Mexico to the United States. While alone in Mexico, I missed my family and our way of life back in Punta de la Sierra, a farm located in Pinar del Rio, which is the westernmost province of Cuba.

The show became my passion, a look into life on a ranch where a big family confronted daily challenges with such courage that it was riveting and filled with suspense. The Barkley family shared values of honor, loyalty, respect and decency and the show allowed for my continued growth, seeing through the Barkley's, the family I no longer had with me.

As Victoria Barkley, Barbara Starwyck was the widowed matriarch figure, guiding this wealthy family as they evolved in Stockton, California during the latter part of the 19th Century. She has two sons and a daughter: Jarrod Thomas Barkley, played by Richard Long, Nick Barkley, played by Peter Breck and Audra, played by Linda Evans.

The series starts by a third son, Heath, played by Lee Majors, joining the family, but he is not the son of Victoria Barkley. He struggles to belong and claim what is rightfully his, a place by the side of his brothers and sister, and it is remarkable to see how they incorporate him to the family and how Victoria embraces this young man, providing the love necessary to inspire a relationship as deep as that which she shares with her blood line.

During a marathon played this weekend, we were delighted to see great stars such as Richard Dreyfuss, Bruce Dern, Charles Bronson, Diane Baker, Milton Berle, John Carradine, Johnny Crawford, Robert Goulet, Buddy Hackett, Dennis Hopper, Ron Howard, Jill St. John, Martin Landau, George Kennedy, Lou Rawls, William Shatner and others.

We highly recommend owning this series and watching it with your family and as you see the different episodes, take the time to discuss the value system that shaped the west. The Big Valley offers the opportunity for growth required today, a world where we have little if anything showing on TV that adds to the development of character. Don't miss seeing... The Big Valley!!!
April 14, 2008

Big Valley Season 1

Liked the quality, good shows. I really want the rest avaialbe so I can have all the seasons. March 29, 2008

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