The Fraggle Rock Complete Series Collection is an outstanding set; whether you remember the show from your childhood or are looking forward to introducing a new generation to the show, it’s perfect. I look forward to sharing Fraggle Rock with my children someday. At the rate children’s programming appears to be devolving, this DVD set may be a very necessary resource by that time. The quality of the episodes speaks for itself, and the morals that deal with common childhood issues like fear, responsibility, friendship, and selfishness are integrated nicely among the fun songs and silly Fraggles.
The Complete Series Collection is packaged in a binder with a plastic front made to look like a piece of Fraggle Rock. The front certainly looks nice, although the thin plastic feels rather flimsy – this probably isn’t a set you’d want kids handling if they’re not careful. Inside the three-ring binder, the discs are packaged in cardboard pages. Two discs are inserted into sleeves on one page, while the reverse page shows episode information. It’s not the sturdiest way to hold the discs – quite a few slipped out during shipping – but for a set this size, it sure is an efficient use of space. Included with the set is an illustrated map of the Fraggle universe.
On the special features front, the set doesn’t disappoint, carrying over all the special features from the individual season sets and adding a number of new ones. For each season, there is a disc of special features, and each one is loaded with interviews from all of the principal actors and many crew members. Several promos from the original run on HBO are spread across several discs. There are many in-depth making-of featurettes focusing on different elements of the production, the highlight being a nearly hour-long documentary hosted by Henson himself. The final special features disc includes excerpts from the last day of shooting and the wrap party for cast and crew.
If it weren’t for the lack of a separate season four set, I would give an unreserved recommendation for the Fraggle Rock Complete Series Collection. As it stands, Lionsgate Studios and Hit Entertainment have made a big mistake by only making the final season available in this set.
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