The Waltons: The Complete Eighth Season
List Price:
Our Price: $10.40
You Save: $29.58 (74%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $9.95 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Ellen Corby, Michael Learned, Ralph WaiteBrand: Warner Brothers
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 1.0; English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0
Format: Box set, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 1172 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-01-06
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product features:
- Actors: Michael Learned, Ralph Waite, Ellen Corby.
- Format: Box set, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC.
- Language: English (Dolby Digital 1.0). Subtitles: English.
- Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only).
- Not Rated. Run Time: 1172 minutes.
DVD Reviews of The Waltons: The Complete Eighth Season
DVD Review: The Waltons Season 8 - It's Been Much Better
Summary: 2 Stars
In 1971 CBS did some major house cleaning which included canceling its "rural" oriented programming. In December of that same year, CBS would air Earl Hamner Jr.'s "The Homecoming", which would lead them back to rural programming in the form of "The Waltons" in September of the following year.
On January 6th 2009 Warner Home Video will release all twenty-four episodes of season eight of The Waltons on a three-disc set. Unfortunately, by season eight, the series has jumped several sharks, and is far from the depression era family drama that we came to know and love.
By the time we get to Season eight, Richard Thomas who originated the role of John Boy is gone, and would be replaced by a one dimensional Robert Wightman, Michael Learned, who portrayed mother Olivia Walton, contract had expired and would not appear in all the seasons episodes, new family members are introduced which is never a good sign, and the thespians who had adequately portrayed the Walton children, had grown into mediocre actors tasked with carrying the series.
The writing too had grown tired by 1979, and though this season still contains some poignant moments, the attempts at lightheartedness are forced, and well beyond the talents of the current cast. For all intensive purposes the writing was on the walls of the iconic Walton home and the show would last only one more season.
The shining moments at this point in the series come from the relationship between John (Ralph Waite) and Olivia Walton. Though limited in this season due to the absence of Michael Learned, the chemistry between these two talented actors remained strong throughout the series, and added a level of quality to this season, that only left the rest of the cast to appear to be severely lacking.
World War II served as the theme for many of this seasons episodes, but the writing generally manages to keep the family, and subsequently the audience, from being pulled into the drama associated with such an important time in our history. One exception is the storyline in the two-part season opener in which John, who is assigned to the local draft board, deals with the death of a neighbor's son. It is the superior performance by Waite that makes this segment work.
Earl Hamner Jr. remained involved in the series from inception to conclusion, and his narrations remain throughout bringing a level of nostalgia to the series that is sure to illicit a smile from anyone who enjoyed the series in it's heyday. Unfortunately Hamner also hosts the only piece of bonus material in this new release, the two hour special: "A Decade of the Waltons". Hamners slow delivery made for a wonderful folksy introduction to this classic show, but as a host, he was far too awkward, and lacked the personality necessary to lead us down memory lane. Hamner's wardrobe, tinted glasses, and absence of a smile (There may have been dental issues as in the one scene in which he is laughing, he remains off camera) did not help the situation. The poor quality of this retrospective does not fall solely on Hamner as the standard clips lack continuity, and the interviews with the actors and their real life counterparts seem overly staged and stiff. Since this special aired at the end of season eight; it is a bit generous to list it as a bonus feature.
Not a lot of notable guest appearances during the season, but it's fun to see a young Jonathan Frakes in episode eight "The Lost Sheep", and if you look quick you can spot Eric Stoltz sitting in the class room in episode twenty-four "The Valediction".
The shows look and sound great. The packaging leaves a lot to be desired, and if both sides of the disc were going to be utilized, it would be helpful if the discs were better marked.
Recommendation: This is a classic series, but the quality began to wane after the first five seasons. Season eight is only for the true fan that wants to keep their collection up to date
Description of The Waltons: The Complete Eighth Season
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 01/06/2009 Rating: NrBestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
The Homecoming: A Christmas StoryParamount; Release date: 2003-09-23; Published: 2003-09-01; DVD
Best price: $8.56
Price in other shops:
Waltons, The: The Complete First SeasonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-08-28; DVD
Best price: $15.93
Price in other shops:
Waltons, The: The Complete Second SeasonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-08-28; DVD
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
Waltons, The: The Complete Third SeasonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-02-20; DVD
Best price: $14.41
Price in other shops:
Waltons, The: The Complete Fourth SeasonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-04-17; DVD
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
The Waltons: The Complete Ninth SeasonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2009-04-28; DVD
Best price: $12.14
Price in other shops:
The Waltons: The Complete Fifth SeasonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2008-01-08; DVD
Best price: $12.49
Price in other shops:
The Waltons: The Complete Sixth SeasonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2008-09-02; DVD
Best price: $9.46
Price in other shops:
The Waltons Movie Collection (A Wedding on Walton's Mountain / Mother's Day / A Day for Thanks / A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion / Wedding / Easter)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2010-01-26; DVD
Best price: $12.47
Price in other shops:
The Waltons: The Complete Seventh SeasonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2008-04-29; DVD
Best price: $10.79
Price in other shops: