Where can I get DVD's or tapes of this great show?
Since this is by far the most frequently asked question we get, here is the best information we have. No episodes of The High Chaparral have ever been made commercially available on DVD. We remain hopeful that with enough encouragement, eventually it will be available. If you are one of the many fans who would like to see that happen, be sure to say so when you sign our Guest Map.
Only two episodes were ever made available commercially on video tape. One is the double episode called "New Lion of Sonora", which is frequently available on auction sites or through other video outlets in its original commercial packaging. The second, "Shadow of the Wind" is seen less often. It is a black and white version of questionable origin that was part of a 7-pack of old television Westerns sold a few years ago at Costco and elsewhere. You can see a photo of the full set below, but it may end up on auction sites alone or with the set. The one from The High Chaparral is last in the set with Leif Erickson's picture at the top. The other tapes are for other television Westerns, all in black and white regardless of whether or not they were originally shot in color.
Selling or Auctioning copies (bootlegging):
Not
Okay
ANY copies of episodes other than
these two that are sold on auction sites or for a profit are bootleg copies and
are illegal. It is actually stealing from the very people who made this
show - the actors, producers, and other artists. Arguments such as "It's
public domain" or "It's alright because it isn't available yet" are false. We ask that no one sell or purchase such copies. If you
see such copies on eBay, please report them to eBay immediately as bootleg
copies, which are among eBay's prohibited items. In most cases eBay will
shut down the auction. Here is the link to report bootleg items:
eBay Prohibited
Items. Or you can report violations to the Bonanza Ventures, Inc. attorney,
Andy Klyde. To contact him or for more information on copyright issues see
the Copyright Page.
Sharing copies:
Okay
Fans
may share tapes they have recorded among themselves but only at
cost. In 2005 U.S. dollars, "at cost" means $5 or less per VHS tape or DVD,
regardless of how many episodes are on one. Since blank tapes and DVD's
can easily be purchased for less than $2, a $5 price should also cover shipping
in most cases. You do not get to include anything for your time and
trouble, recording equipment, or anything else. If it is not a labor of
love, it starts looking like a business and that is simply not legal.
Several fans who are on the Discussion Group have been willing to share their tapes at cost if you ask. The best way to find out is to join the Discussion Group and ask. Most of the tapes from fans were recorded off TV reruns so the quality varies widely and probably have portions that have been edited out since the original broadcast version. We would all like to have a high quality, full length, commercial-free source for all The High Chaparral episodes, so we continue to encourage the owners and copyright holders to make the complete series available for legitimate purchase on DVD.
