The Young Riders: The Complete First Season - Digitally Remastered

A well-done late 80's/early 90's television western series with no big-name stars but with some fine up-and-coming actors. There are a number of "guest stars" every week -- some very good and some not so good. As for the main characters, each has his/her own appeal and value to the series, but the two best actors and the two most indispensable characters are Anthony Zerbe as "Teaspoon" Hunter and Josh Brolin as James Butler ("Wild Bill") Hickok. They deserve the greatest amount of camera time, but in some episodes they are relegated to minor supporting roles -- to the detriment of the episode, IMO. Despite some historical inaccuracies (J. B. Hickok and Jesse James never rode for the Pony Express), and some flaws in geography (showing mountains in the background for a setting that's supposed to be in Kansas), the series is well-written with intriguing storylines, contains superb cinematography, and generally excellent acting by the main characters and guest stars. Watching the series from the beginning becomes addictive, and you wonder why it lasted only three seasons. (Note: You can now watch/record the entire series on the Encore Westerns channel.)

I have received my order for "the young riders, The complete first season". I was impressed with the quality of the picture. It's even more clear than the ones on the "Encore Channel! I had never watched this program before. When it first came on tv, I was working full time night shift. Now I am retired, and taking care of my son, who is ill, and he loves Westerns, so we watch western shows. I fell in love with this show, the first time I watched it! I came to love all the characters! If you liked "The Young Riders", you will love this set! It's excellent!!

When "The Young Riders" aired, I was only able to view a few episodes, but enjoyed what I saw. Hence, when I found the show listed on Amazon I purchased it, and have just finished watching Season 1. For the most part, I completely enjoyed the episodes, despite the fact that I had to keep reminding myself: "This is a fictional show, so ignore the historical non-sense and just get into a good, old fashioned western." And let me tell you, as someone who has read about and studied the "old west" for over 40 years, it is not always easy to ignore the "historical farces." But I did, and it is well worth it. Moreover, I hope that in doing so, people might find something in my review, unlike some current reviews, to help them decide to watch the show. And, like most other reviewers, I sure hope the studios release the other seasons.For a show with such a large cast and such a limited venue, "The Young Riders" does an outstanding job--each actor getting their moment in the "light" to flesh out their character. In fact, it is the characters/actors that make this show SO fun to watch! Not being a huge follower of actors, I have no idea if any of the stars have managed to go on to "bigger" things, or have had a very successful career, but what they contributed to the "The Young Riders" is truly noteworthy--especially given the scripts sometimes "too unrealistic" content. In particular, I think that Anthony Zerbe, as Aloysius "Teaspoon" Hunter (a former Texas Ranger and one of the only survivors of the Battle of the Alamo), gives the best performances I have ever seen by him. While Ty Miller (as The Kid), Stephen Baldwin (as William F. Cody), Josh Brolin (as James Butler Hickok), and Travis Fine (as Ike McSwain) all give great performance (despite the fact they are all clearly too big--a rider could not weigh over 125 pounds), it is the other performances that I truly enjoyed.Melissa Leo as Emma Shannon, the caretaker of the station and the riders, is adorable, alway on the money, and her portrayal expands exceptionally well through the season as her character grows. Brett Cullen is both comical and dramatic as Sam Cain, the current marshal of Sweetwater, and a former gunslinger who is in love with Emma. In many ways Cullen and his character are the central figures of the show. Yvonne Suhor, who plays the intriguing character Louise "Lou" McCloud (who presents herself as a man so that she can join the riders, but is found out by The Kid in the first episode, and by the other riders when they help her rescue her brother and sister from their abusive outlaw father), I find to be extremely refreshing, adding an unexpected dimension to the show. However, in my opinion, the best performer on the show is Gregg Rainwater (a Native American actor of Osage, Cherokee, and Irish descent) who plays Buck Cross (Running Buck), a half Kiowa who is close friends with Ike. More importantly, Rainwater's character, Buck, helps to break down stereotypes that the townsfolk have of Indians and, I fell, is the person that is always there and the glue that holds the "gang" together. Gregg Rainwater is the greatest redemption towards the "political indelicacy" of "The Young Riders."Less simple for me to accept about the "The Young Riders" is what I am trying to minimize, by saying the show is "politically indelicate." I say this because there are a number of scenes and episodes involving Native Americans that are troubling: costumes, characterization, themes, tribes involved, or socio-cultural ways of Native American life. Conversely, there are also scenes that are quite positive in the presentation of Native Americans. Similarly, I found myself very unenthusiastic about the way "The Young Riders" addressed the politics of the causes of the American Civil War. The portrayal of persons sympathetic to the Southern cause are almost unilaterally the "bad guys," and supportive or activists of slavery. Yet at the same time, the show does show the US soldiers declaring martial law, trampling on private citizens, ignoring the US Constitution, and, in general, questionable individuals. I just wish the show had left the whole subject alone--especially since "The Young Riders" takes place (apparently) in Wyoming, where the American Civil War had little, if any, import during this time period. While there are other political issues I saw in the show, all were generally dealt with in the same fashion; that is, the show "attempted" to counter weight political views that were portrayed.Overall, I would love to give "The Young Riders" five stars--and would based simply on pure entertainment--but I feel it necessary to acknowledge the "political" contradictions of the show. The four star rating is also based in part on aspects I have yet to mention: the ludicrousness of the number of people "killed," how easy some are "killed" and how easy some "recover," how seldom anyone actually reloads, and--perhaps most pertinent to the overall theme of the show--how little the pony express riders actually "ride."Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.

For a long time I've checked various sites, hoping to find that the series had been released- somehow I missed that season 1 has been out over a year. I ordered my copy and have watched a few of the episodes, bringing back lots of memories. I remember The Young Riders as being pretty good as a western, and about as historically accurate as any of them, (it'll be fun to watch for the few errors I can spot)- the show was very innovative with some of the plot twists and story details the producers came up with.In terms of picture /sound quality so far I've watched the pilot (filmed in a completely different location to the rest of the series- looked much more like 1860 Kansas would have) and two other episodes. #1 "The Kid" introduces everyone, very detailed- good story, my only complaint is that the closing scene of Kid riding off into the sunset is way too dark (you can't see him) and the closing credits are much too hard to read. #15 "Lady for a night" was the second episode I watched, everything good about it. Yvonne Suhor never looked very much like a boy but she did look very nice in a dress in this one (Emma intoduced "Louise" to the boys in this episode). The story is good, the picture and sound good and the closing credits are much improved over the pilot.#16 "Unfinished Business" another good story in which Emma's husband returns to town after betraying a wagon train to robbers. Good action and story here, like so many in the series. Good color and sound too.I hope season's 2 & 3 are released, with some extra's, they'll be worth owning.

Great product great DVD great show arrived quickly I only hope that Amazon gets season two in for the same reasonable price

Bought this for my dad and he said that he has been extremely happy with it.

NHKで放送されていた時に毎週楽しみに見ていました。素晴らしいドラマで見るたびに元気を貰いながらポニーエキスプレスの仲間になりたいなあと何度思ったことか!バックがすきでアイクとの友情にも感動したのを覚えています。是非ともコンプリートBOXを出していただきたいです。確かエミー賞を受賞した作品だったので何故DVDにならないのが不思議で仕方がないです。

「ヤングライダーズ」は南北戦争直前のワイオミング州を舞台にした、史実に味付けをした若者向け西部劇ドラマ。登場する若きライダー達がそれぞれに個性的で魅力的。日本でも1994年からNHKで放送され、かなりの人気が出ました。西部劇には全く縁がない人にも（特に女性）幅広く受け入れられ、放送から10年以上たった今でも全世界に熱いファンが大勢います。2000年にスーパーチャンネルで再放送されたのを最後にテレビでは全く見られなくなっており、DVD化運動が起こっていました。やっとそれが実現されるとは夢のようです。日本で放送されたのは44分ですが、実はオリジナルはもっと長いのです。日本版でカットされた部分は毎話５分ほどですが、そこに重要なシーンや素敵な場面があるので、ぜひともオリジナルで見たい・見ていただきたいと思っています。1989年の作品ですが、今見ても全く色あせていなくて新鮮です。

表示はリージョン１となっておりますが、日本用のＤＶＤデッキで問題なく再生出来るようです。自分は大丈夫でした。放送当時、唖、インディアンのハーフ、男装の麗人、黒人という変わったキャラクターの出てくる西部劇としてまず興味を引かれました。　アクションシーンもいいんですが、激しい描写の多い後半のシリーズが本国でも未発売だというのが惜しまれます。面白いのになぁ。