Box sets of DVDs offer up comedy, drama, adventure

Comedy, drama, adventure, classic films, old TV series, documentaries — they're all on DVD and all available in newly minted box sets.

Here's a look at some of the latest releases, out in time for your Christmas shopping:

"The Adventure Collection" (A&E, 1998-2003, 14 discs, $99.95). The first four "Horatio Hornblower" TV films starring Ioan Gruffud are included in this set, along with these miniseries: "Shackelton" (Kenneth Branagh), "Napoleon" (Gerard Depardieu), "Longitude" (Jeremy Irons), "The Lost Battalion" ( Rick Schroder ) and "Benedict Arnold" (Kelsey Grammer).

Star-studded and lavishly produced, these are first-rate productions for anyone who desires more serious viewing than much of what we're offered these days. Included are many documentary featurettes and "Biography" episodes that expand on these stories.

Extras: widescreen/full frame, featurettes, documentaries

"Casablanca: Ultimate Collector's Edition" (Warner, 1942, b/w, three discs, $59.98). This is, of course, one of the most popular films of all time, a compelling tragic romance set against the backdrop of World War II with sparkling dialogue and a great cast led by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

This box set is loaded with new collectibles — a photo book, studio memos, a luggage tag and passport holder, etc., as well as all of the many bonus features from the previously released two-disc set.

The third disc here has the documentary "Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul."

Extras: full frame, deleted scenes, audio commentaries (by Roger Ebert; by Rudy Behlmer), documentaries, featurettes, TV and radio versions, cartoon, outtakes, music outtakes, trailers; 48-page photo book, passport holder, luggage tag, poster cards, collectible box

"The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus: Collector's Edition" (A&E, 1969-74, 21 discs, $159.95). Has any TV show gone through as many repackagings as "Monty Python's Flying Circus"? The classic off-the-wall comedy show is re-issued once again in a box that includes all the bonus material from the previous "16-Ton Megaset," plus the recently issued "Personal Best" collections and a new pair of documentaries. For the collector who must have all things Python.

Extras: full frame, deleted scenes, documentaries, featurettes, six "Personal Best" collections, "Live at the Hollywood Bowl," "Live at Aspen," art gallery, text biographies/credits

"I Am Legend: Ultimate Collector's Edition" (Warner, 2007, PG-13, three discs, $49.98). Will Smith's sci-fi hit about the last human left on Earth after a plague wipes out everyone else is eerie and fascinating in its early stages, and Smith is, as always, terrific.