Bewitched: The Complete Series (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Mill Creek
Release Date: July 29, 2025
Rating: Not rated
Film:  4/5

Plot
A charming blend of sitcom whimsy and supernatural mischief, Bewitched remains a timeless classic, elevated by Elizabeth Montgomery’s radiant performance as Samantha Stephens. The show’s lighthearted take on domestic life and magic still enchants, though some dated elements may catch modern viewers off guard.

My Thoughts
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Bewitched (1964–1972) remains a spellbinding cornerstone of television history. Elizabeth Montgomery’s Samantha, a witch navigating suburban life with her mortal husband Darrin (Dick York, later Dick Sargent), delivers endless charm and wit. The show’s premise—magic clashing with mundane—fuels eight seasons of comedic hijinks, bolstered by a stellar supporting cast, including Agnes Moorehead as the delightfully snooty Endora.

The special effects, primarily achieved through practical techniques like wire work, stop-motion, and clever camera tricks, hold up remarkably well. Samantha’s iconic nose-twitch, often paired with quick cuts or hidden stage mechanisms for vanishing acts and transformations, showcases the era’s creative ingenuity. Eagle-eyed fans will spot subtle nods to classic films, like visual homages to The Wizard of Oz in witch-heavy episodes. It’s a fun, nostalgic watch, though some social norms of the ‘60s may feel jarring today. Sadly, the set carries a bittersweet note, as it includes Dick York’s final major role before health issues forced his exit, a poignant reminder of his talent.

Mill Creek Entertainment’s 22-disc Blu-ray set presents all 254 episodes in a meticulously restored 1080p transfer, sourced from original negatives. The first two seasons, presented in black-and-white, boast crisp contrast and deep grayscale, lending a nostalgic charm to the early episodes. The final six seasons, in color, shine with vibrant hues—Samantha’s wardrobe pops vividly—and improved clarity over prior DVD releases. The 16x9 image (OAR is 1.33:1 full-frame) preserves the vintage aesthetic with well-managed film grain. Black levels are solid across both formats, though minor speckling appears in some black-and-white episodes. Overall, the restoration is impressive for a series of this age, making the transition from monochrome to color a visual treat.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo track delivers clean, clear dialogue, crucial for the show’s quick-witted exchanges. The iconic theme music and sound effects (like magical “pings”) are crisp and well-balanced, with the stereo mix offering a slight sense of separation compared to mono tracks of similar vintage shows. Low-end response is minimal, as expected for a sitcom of this era, but the track suits the show’s straightforward audio needs. No major distortions or hiss were noted, making it a serviceable presentation.

Video 8/10
Audio 7/10 (DTS-HD MA 2.0)

Special Features:

• Bewitched: Behind the Magic documentary
• 16 New Episodic Commentaries
• Exclusive 36-page Booklet featuring pieces by Bewitched historian Herbi J. Pilato, as well as an episode guide
  
  

Conclusion
Bewitched: The Complete Series – 60th Anniversary Special Edition is a must-own for fans and sitcom enthusiasts. The restored visuals, solid stereo audio, and generous extras make this Mill Creek release a magical upgrade, despite minor quibbles. While I watched the show in syndication as a youth, it was a very popular show from the 1960s that holds up quite well today if you can look past the sexual stereotypes from that era. Highly recommended for collectors and newcomers alike.

Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD-8000 Medial Play
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[bmoney]

Loved this as part of Nick at night 

[David Vaughn]

Loved this as part of Nick at night

My wife and I have really been enjoying it a lot. Very funny and much more innocent that today's comedies. It will take a few months to get through all of the episodes, but we plan on continuing to watch the series. 

[Barry]

For me, Paul Lynde as Uncle Arthur always made me laugh.

[David Vaughn]

My wife and I have been watching an episode of this every couple of days and it has really grown on us. Last night's episode, "Little Pitchers Have Big Fears", featured Jimmy Mathers, who is a spitting image (and voice) of his older brother, Jerry Mathers of "Leave it to Beaver" fame. The episode itself was quite funny as Samantha is meddling in the parenting of a single mother's child and Darrin is not to happy with her because of it. What's hilarious, is the kid's mother (Mrs. Burns) looked very familiar too and it turns out she was played by June Lockhart who had quite a career in Hollywood co-starring in Lassie and Lost in Space along with many other roles. IMDB shows her with over 180 acting credits and she just turned 100 and according to Wikipedia, is one of the last surviving actors from The Golden Age of Hollywood. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Lockhart)

This is one of the reasons why I love watching old TV shows--you never know who is going to show up in a minor part that ends up having quite a career in acting.