Disclaimer; I received this Collection for free for my review and my honest opinion, I have not been compensated in any way

From the moment CHINA BEACH debuted in 1988, with its iconic opening credits set to the Supremes’ “Reflections” as its theme song, it was hailed as groundbreaking television. In an era of testosterone-driven war movies, the series, created by award-winning journalist and Vietnam vet William Broyles Jr. and John Sacret Young, delivered the Vietnam war from a unique perspective: that of the women, military personnel and civilians who were present during the conflict.

Season 1

Features the iconic 2-hour pilot, “China Beach” plus “Hit the Beach,” an exclusive featurette that reviews the inspiration for the series, key storylines and themes. Enjoy original hit songs including the theme “Reflections” by The Supremes, “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, “Nowhere to Run” by Martha and the Vandellas and more. Series co-creator and executive producer John Sacret Young as well as director Rod Holcomb provide insightful audio commentary for the pilot episode.

Season 2

Producer/writer John Wells joins the production staff and contributes to the legendary and award-winning episode “Vets,” which features interviews with Vietnam veterans. Soundtrack includes incredible hits including “Baby, I Need Your Loving” by the Four Tops, “My Girl” by the Temptations, “I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown and more.

Season 3

This season is highlighted by the deeper exploration of the unlikely friendship between McMurphy and K.C. This is set to iconic songs including “Crystal Blue Persuasion” by Tommy James & The Shondells, “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” by Manfred Mann, “Brown-Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison, “Stand By Me” by John Lennon, “Piece Of My Heart” by Janis Joplin and many more.

Season 4

The aftermath of the war continues to play a part in the lives of the China Beach veterans long after they’ve returned home. Includes the emotional 2-part series finale “Hello Goodbye” and an episode directed by actress Diane Keaton. Audio commentary for finale by Dana Delany and series co-creator John Sacret Young. Episodes also feature classic hits such as “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher, “Respect” by Aretha Franklin and many more.

Volume 5

Enjoy 2 DVDs with over 10 hours of bonus material, including new cast interviews from the China Beach cast reunion held in honor of the show’s 25th anniversary.

Part EVAC hospital, part USO entertainment center, China Beach, also known as the 510th Evacuation Hospital and R&R center, was an outpost of craziness and compassion that captured an extraordinary group of characters — US Army doctors and nurses, officers, soldiers, Red Cross volunteers and civilian personnel — in a unique, exotic place where so many things came together: horror and laughter, heroism and sacrifice. Many episodes and story lines were based on real-life stories of those who served, stories brought to rich life by a supremely talented ensemble cast featuring many actors beginning to make their marks on the industry, including Dana Delany (First Lieutenant/Captain Nurse Colleen McMurphy), Marg Helgenberger (K.C. Koloski), Michael Boatman (SP4 Sam Beckett), Robert Picardo (Captain Dr. Dick Richard) and Ricki Lake (Holly Pelegrino). The other side of the camera boasted such accomplished talents as multiple Emmy Award®-nominee Writer/Director/Executive Producer John Sacret Young and producer John Wells, who would go on to executive produce “ER” and “The West Wing.”