Filmed entirely on location in Hawaii, the show followed Jack Lord as he played Steve McGarrett, head of an elite state police unit investigating "organized crime, murder, assassination attempts, foreign agents, felonies o... more »f every type." James MacArthur played his second-in-command Danny ("Danno") Williams, with local actors playing members of the Five-O team.« less
"Hawaii Five O Seasons 1-5 are simply superb. There aren't too many people in my generation who were not glued to the family TV at 7:30pm on Tuesdays of regular season TV. It's hard to describe what this show did in Hawaii; however at 7:30pm each Tuesday the city of Honolulu stopped and people were glued to their sets at home, shopping, or in a retail store with a TV. The show was shot on location, used many local walkons and featured local actors/personalities/celebs. The first 5 seasons were especially good in that the show was written by innovators and not imitators. It lasted an amazing 12 seasons in a highly competitive and forever changing market. The actors were all immortalized and idolized after the show was taken off the air. The Jack Lord family gave their $40 million estate to the state of Hawaii for philanthropic use. Guaranteed to keep you guessing, laughing and booking your next flight to Hawaii. Remember Che Fong was doing science 30 years before CSI, Cold Case Files, Forensic Files, etc! The phrase "Book'em Dano" is used fluidly in most Police Departments throughout this country."
Long-Running Series Deserves DVD Release
Terence Allen | Atlanta, GA USA | 02/22/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Nothing lasts 12 years without having something going for it. In the case of Hawaii Five-O, it easy to dismiss it as a typically television crime drama that got lucky by finding its audience and keeping it. The same could be said for Law and Order. Except, in television years, luck usually runs out after two or three years. Gimmicks get old, the formula is figured out, and sharks are jumped so often they don't even complain.
But shows that last five years, much less 12, have to have something besides luck, gimmicks, and great scheduling. Hawaii Five-O had a number of things going for it. First of all, let's be honest. The setting was, and still is so lush and exotic that it is easily intoxicating. Hawaii is beautiful, and most people either live there or want to live there. Filming on location has always been a blessing when it's been done, and probably no more so than on this series.
Next, Jack Lord, playing Five-O chief Steve McGarrett, was one of a long line of no-nonsense law enforcement figures. The strength, integrity, and dedication of these kinds of characters cannot be overstated, and these characters will always have lots of fans rooting them on, not unlike Law and Order's Jack McCoy.
Finally, watching shows like this is always a treat because you see so many stars that were either big stars enjoying a working Hawaiian vacation, or lots of up and coming stars before they got their big break. Hawaii Five-O was a natural draw for both categories, and it's fun to watch them and remember when.
It's also fun to remember when you could look forward to hearing one of the best and most recognizable theme songs in television history. Not a small thing when you add it with the other factors. Hawaii Five-O had a lot going for it then, and it has a lot going for it now."
If you like Season Six of Five-0, wait until Oct. for Season
Ricahrd A. Salzer | Chesapeake, Virginia, USA | 04/04/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Great cover, but I wonder if they'll put Doug
Mossman on the Seventh season cover since he
was in more episodes, by a whisker then than
the (then) fired Al Harrington?! Season six
has some of the very best episodes and some
of my favourites of the 12 year series as well,
such as: Hookman, and of course: 30,000 Rooms
and I have a Key. Pick Up On It! - R.A.S
"
Not as strong as season five but still a good season
William D. Jempty Jr. | Florida | 05/20/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I think Season 5 was Hawaii Five 0's best. Season six starts strongly, Hookman, Draw me a Killer, and One Big Happy Family are three of the first four episodes. The last two are in my top ten.
After that the episodes are good, with no total clunkers, but not on a par with season 5 or the three episodes I cite above."
Superb stories, killer music, top notch entertainment - Be T
Anborn | 05/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The first five episodes are among the best EVER, with tight tense story lines and great acting! Most of the remaining episodes are also excellent-a couple of weaker ones but absolutely no dogs this season. The brothers' fates in Banzai Pipeline is shocking and moving; great Danny episode in Draw Me a Killer; fantastic smart villain in Murder is a Taxing Affair; tragedy and horror in Secret Witness. Many of the episodes feature more team work and interaction among the Five-0 men, which is great to see. There is a lot of fresh original music this season, wonderful scores that really stand out. This is the best season yet for writing, music and acting, even more than season 5.
One disappointment is that the remastering of the Wave, which leads into commercial breaks, is really poor. It's very dark and muddy, a real surprise given how clean and bright the earlier seasons have been. But I'm in it for the stories, the music and Danny's dazzling blue eyes, so I can live with a murky Wave. Aloha, mahalo, and P'mount, I'm ready for the next season when you are!"