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I can't believe that I missed almost all of the "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones." The ABC television network must have buried it in their schedule, because I didn't realize that the series continued on through 1995.

The final episodes of the series are now on DVD.

Sean Patrick Flannery returns to the small screen to globetrot and get into adventures that are sometimes over his head. Though most of the adventures aren't the typical "Indy" we've loved on the big screen, the television version is still very good. Does the series occasionally drag with history and dramatic scenes. Yes it does. Taken in sections as an unfolding yarn, the series works as history is recreated for Indy's exploits. I would've liked to have seen more adventure and more of the supernatural elements that Indy was thrown into. I would've like to have seen more of Indy's death defying escapes from ancient temples mined with boobytraps. But since the series is George Lucas' baby, I suppose he could, and did, whatever he wanted with it. The series is more about the drama with a little bit of adventure thrown in.

My favorite episode of this box set is "Masks of Evil." This is where it feels like more of an Indiana Jones adventure, rather than a high-class television mini series. He's thrust into Romania and encounters Dracula. The episode is a bit silly at times, but there's enough campy gore and vampire scenes to entertain.

Much of what I've written before about the other "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones" DVD box sets applies here, too. Under producer Rick McCallum, the series is rich with great locations, wonderful acting, and high production value. It seems that the production crew and cast really put their hearts into making this tale of Indiana Jones compelling enough and entertaining to watch. With its interpretation of history and its figures, the series could be used to start of discussions in history classes. I can't say that I'd immediately rush out and buy the series, but it is quite good once you start to watch it.

Bill Kallay

Special thanks to Click Communications

Photos: © Lucasfilm/Paramount/CBS. All rights reserved.