The Early Years is a US and Canadian three-disc DVD set. Each of the first two discs feature thirteen first series episodes narrated by Ringo Starr in the original UK format. The third disc is dedicated to bonus features and extras.
Description
For the first time ever, all of the original 26 episodes of "Thomas & Friends" are together in this must-have three DVD disc set! Collectors and new fans of Thomas will love taking a journey back in time to experience Thomas from the very beginning. Join Thomas as he meets Gordon, Percy, Henry, Edward and all of his favorite friends on the Island of Sodor for the very first time.
Disc 1 and Disc 2 are loaded with 13 episodes each. Narrated by Ringo Starr, both parents and kids alike are sure to love every fun-filled minute. All-new features, activities and educational games await discovery on Disc 3, including commentary from Sir Topham Hatt, a read-along story and much, much more!
Episodes
Disc 1
- Thomas and Gordon
- Edward and Gordon
- The Sad Story of Henry
- Edward, Gordon and Henry
- Thomas' Train
- Thomas and the Trucks
- Thomas and the Breakdown Train
- James and the Coaches
- Troublesome Trucks
- James and the Express
- Thomas and the Guard
- Thomas Goes Fishing
- Thomas, Terence and the Snow
Disc 2
- Thomas and Bertie
- Tenders and Turntables
- Trouble in the Shed
- Percy Runs Away
- Coal
- The Flying Kipper
- Whistles and Sneezes
- Toby and the Stout Gentleman
- Thomas in Trouble
- Dirty Objects
- Off the Rails
- Down the Mine
- Thomas' Christmas Party
Bonus Features
Disc 3
- Sodor Memories
- Sir Topham Hatt's Commentary (Thomas and Gordon)
- Read Along Story: Thomas and the Naughty Diesel
- Build an Engine Game
- Who am I? Game
Trivia
- The filedates show when each disc was finished:
- Disc 1 was finished on August 5, 2004.
- Disc 2 was finished on August 9, 2004.
- Disc 3 was finished on August 26, 2004.
- This marks the first release of a two things:
- The first release to feature restored footage.
- The first DVD release of a complete series, released in October 2004, shortly followed by the UK Classic Collection Series 1-5 DVD boxset in November 2004.
- This makes the only release of a few things:
- The only US/Canadian DVD to have all the episodes in Ringo Starr's UK narration excluding Thomas and Gordon and Edward and Gordon, which were later included on The Greatest Stories in 2010.
- The only US/Canadian release to feature Ringo Starr's narration for Whistles and Sneezes.
- As of now, this is the only US/Canadian DVD to contain a full series (with the exception of Adventure Pack). Since 2015, Series 16-20 have been digitally released on iTunes and Amazon. Additionally, in 2016, the first seven series were digitally released on Amazon and the Roku Channel.
- Despite being released in the US/Canada, the episodes use Ringo Starr's UK narration instead of Ringo Starr's or George Carlin's US/Canadian narration. This has resulted in US and Canadian viewers hearing Sir Topham Hatt being addressed as "The Fat Controller" for the first time (not counting certain songs like Thomas' Anthem, Toby, Really Useful Engine or Sir Topham Hatt).
- Coincidentally, this DVD was released 20 years after the first season first aired on TV.
Goofs
- In the Sodor Memories section:
- When Thomas remembers the time he rescued James, he does not say "And because I was so useful, look what happened!" Also, when Percy remembers the time he helped Mrs. Kyndley, he does not say "Watch what happened!" Both lines are present on later DVD releases.
- Edward said that he helped Gordon up the hill with some coaches. But in the actual episode, Gordon was pulling trucks.
- James said that Sir Topham Hatt gave him the Express after Gordon was ill, but in the episode, Gordon looped around the station.
- In the Sir Topham Hatt commentary of Thomas and Gordon:
- Gordon is said to be resting at Platform 1, but he is actually resting in a siding.
- Thomas is said to position Gordon for his trains, when he actually positions the coaches.
- Edward, Toby and Percy are incorrectly referred to as "main line engines."
- In the "Who am I?" game, Clarabel's name is spelt with an extra L.
- At the back of the 8 Page Commemorative Booklet, the Gullane Entertainment logo is seen above the Thomas and the Jet Engine and Other Adventures VHS tape.