dvd122507

DVD reviews

Last update: December 24, 2007 - 1:26 PM

CLASSIC TV

"The Mod Squad: Series 1, Vol. 1" (Paramount, $43)

Narcs have never been hipper than in this ABC series from 1968, in which the network tried to appeal to young people by having three stereotypical representatives of the late '60s counterculture -- a long-haired rich kid (Michael Cole), an angry young man from Watts (Clarence Williams III) and a flower child (Peggy Lipton) -- star as undercover agents. In addition to the series' first 13 episodes, the four-disc set includes an inside look at the pilot episode and two short features, "Forming the Squad" and "Friends of the Mod Squad."

BRUCE DANCIS, SACRAMENTO BEE

"The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Vol. 2: The War Years" (Paramount, $130)

The buildup to next summer's fourth Indiana Jones film continues with this second collection of George Lucas' 1990s small-screen series. The nine-disc set features eight feature-length adventures starring Sean Patrick Flanery as the youthful Indy amid his World War I exploits. The set is loaded with dozens of documentary segments on the times and real-life people he encounters.

DAVID GERMAIN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

"Rawhide: The Second Season, Vol. 2" (Paramount, $43)

The 1950s and '60s western series featuring Clint Eastwood as cowboy Rowdy Yates hits the trail again with a four-disc set packing the last 16 episodes from the second year.

DAVID GERMAIN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Documentary

"Deep Water" (IFC, $25)

This is the stunning British documentary from directors Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell that chronicles the sad story of Englishman Donald Crowhurst, an amateur sailor who in 1968 entered the first solo, nonstop, round-the-world boat race. Extras include profiles of the other men who entered the race and interviews with Crowhurst's widow and two of his children. Particularly chilling are excerpts from Crowhurst's audio tapes that were found in his deserted boat.

SUSAN KING, LOS ANGELES TIMES