The first season outlined the series' essential storyline: Knight wanted to atone for his bloody past and regain his humanity, but was challenged by master vampire Lucien LaCroix (Nigel Bennett). Knight's partner in crime-solving was the smarmy Det. Schanke (John Kapelos), and scientist Natalie Lambert (Catherine Disher) aided Knight in his desire to become human and struggled with her attraction to him (which would endanger her in episode 16, "Only the Lonely"). Knight's adventures yielded a small but loyal following over its three-season run, which was constantly threatened with cancellation; a letter-writing campaign saved the program after CBS axed it in '93, but failed two years later, when Knight's adventures came to a permanent end.

Columbia-TriStar's DVD set compiles all 22 episodes of the first season (note: the series was presented in three different formats--a 40-minute version for American audiences, a 47-minute version for Canadian and Australian viewers, and a European version which contained nudity; the episodes compiled here are the Canadian versions save for the first episode, which has the American network running time). Hardcore fans may be disappointed by a lack of any extras aside from trailers for three vampire-themed Columbia features (including Tsui Hark's Vampire Hunters), but should be consoled by having the full debut season in one attractive package. --Paul Gaita

Sure, the price should be less since there are no extras. However, if these had been released in a VHS format, it would have been 11 or so tapes at *at least* $14.95 OR MORE per tape. The DVDs are MUCH less expensive. So am I disappointed in the cost? Yes. Will you see me lowering my rating of a great DVD set because of it? No. I'll certainly get my money's worth out of this set.

The series itself is a classic. Not quite a vampire series, not quite a detective series, yet the best of both. It appeals to people who normally don't like either, and also to fans of both genres.

Nick Knight is a detective who was "brought across" as a vampire in 1228 and now wants to "repay mankind for his sins." He wants to be mortal again, but his "sire" LaCroix has other ideas.

I'm eagerly awaiting the other two seasons on DVD. I hope the producers of the DVD include extras, but if they don't, I'll still be first in line to own a set!


BEWARE!!! Edited CBS TV Rip Off---Not the full show!!!!   October 28, 2003
 22 out of 28 found this review helpful

I was expecting to see the full, unedited version. Instead, I saw the edited CBS TV version, complete with crimetime after prime time logos, and cbs TV stereo emblems superimposed over the episode. Dark Knight was heavily edited, I have a more complete version that I taped off of the Sci-Fi channel. The scene where Nick arrives at the museum and walks up stairs with the cop, sees the suit of armor with the cross and knows Don is there is cut, Nick explaining to Nat about the jade cup in his apartment is gone, Nick with the curator talking about the suit of armor having the wrong bolt-can't relieve himself-cut, the curator leafing through the Alton Kanal book and photo copying Nicks photo is missing the part with Don and Nick in the hospital trying to see the records of blood donors and Nick returning to his Caddy gone, scene after scene is gone. What a let down after wanting the series to be released for so long..and we have a shorter version that what the Sci-Fi channel aired. This is like paying the pizza delivery guy, sitting down to eat your pizza, opening the box, and finding two slices missing. Well I paid for the ENTIRE Forever Knight pie, and I want my missing slices. This is a RIP-OFF!!!!! No extras included, unless you count the three commercials for different vampire movies that they want to sell you on DVD as extras. Are those movies edited versions also??????? THIS IS A RIP-OFF!!!!


Watch the Knight! & Nat, & Schanke, & LaCroix, & Janette...   September 8, 2003
 21 out of 24 found this review helpful

Many people have never heard of the TV series Forever Knight, and that's a terrible shame. It is one of the best character-driven shows I've ever seen, ranking right up there with Buffy and the early seasons of X-Files. Everyone I've ever introduced to the series has become a loyal fan--and yet, it's been almost impossible to find it on TV! Between cancellations, network-hopping, and horrible time slots, it's a miracle anyone ever saw enough of it to develop an appreciation for the characters and the writing. Now, with its appearance on DVD, a new cadre of Forever Knight fans can understand the appeal of this quirky vampire-cop series set in Toronto.
Are you one of those people who enjoyed the dark conflict/redemption arcs of Angel and Spike in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Forever Knight has that. Do you like the monster-of-the-week integrated with the ongoing character development of X-Files? Forever Knight has that. Do you like those ubiquitous cop shows wherein the characters struggle with their (metaphoric) inner demons as they try to make the world a safe place for the innocent? Forever Knight has that. Or are you a sucker for tortured, star-crossed romance that can never be? Forever Knight has that, too. What's more, Forever Knight did it first, without a huge budget for special effects, and managed to create a believable world that has endured years after its cancellation in the various fan sites scattered across the Internet. (Keep it up, Knighties and Nat-Packers and Cousins all!)
As a teacher, I don't have a lot of money and I don't buy a lot of things on DVD. In fact, my entire collection consists of the Lord of the Rings movies, the Harry Potter movies, Buffy, X-Men, The Muppets Take Manhattan, and Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail. I will, however, CHEERFULLY shell out the bucks for all three seasons of Forever Knight. Trust me--it's worth it.