The Sopranos - Complete HBO Season 1-6 - Deluxe Edition [1999]
![The Sopranos - Complete HBO Season 1-6 - Deluxe Edition [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41q2-XSSLfL._SL160_.jpg) RRP £129.99 Lowest New Price £86.98 
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Suitable for 18 years and over Warner Home Video Release date: Monday 24th of November 2008 Starring: Director(s): Format: Box set, PAL, Region code: 2 Running time: 5160 minutes Language: English (Unknown) Language: English (Subtitled) |
RRP: £129.99
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
A flat-out treasure trove of television, The Sopranos Complete HBO Seasons 1-6 box set brings together every episode of a genuinely extraordinary series. Those that call it quite possibly the best show America has produced in the last decade aren’t far wide of the mark (although fans of The Wire could have an argument there).
To think The Sopranos all started from a simple sell: that a New Jersey mob boss falls into depression, and seeks out counseling to help him cope. And while early episodes followed Tony Soprano’s balancing act as he sought to keep this from his mobster friends, The Sopranos took this foundation and built upon it a collection of layered, intriguing characters from both Tony’s ‘work’ and ‘home’ families.
That’s only part of the reason for The Sopranos’ extraordinary success, though. Because the writers then seeded many delightfully intricate plot lines, that seemed to seamlessly weave between one another. The end result was that every character was important, and--crucially--there was a real sense of unease, as fans began to realise that The Sopranos could have a quiet run of episodes, and then suddenly take out a character you’ve spent hours engaged with.
It’s a fascinating cocktail. Ruthless yet emotional, violent yet intimate, brash yet insecure, the characters of The Sopranos are as three dimensional as television drama gets. It’s a tragedy it’s finished, but the six series in this box offer a stunning legacy, and a masterclass to anyone else on the planet looking to make a character-driven drama. --Simon Brew
Excellent set
Review date: 2008-11-26 Rating: 8 out of 10
This is a review of the box set itself, since obviously the show gets 5 stars and we all know how good that is - so in response to an earlier review calling for comments on the packaging, here's my take.
There's an outer sleeve showing all the characters lined up as you can see on the product image. Inside this you pull out the oblong box which is also shown. This has the words "The Sopranos" along it. This box splits in two and reveals two sides, with 15 discs on each. Each disc is on its own sleeve and is tucked away to reveal just a number, from 1-4 (since this is how many discs are in each season - season 6 is in two parts therefore 8 discs).
My only gripe lies in the way in which the discs are stored within the sleeve. The sleeve is all just cardboard, there's no plastic holder, no fabric to stop it from scratching and no clip to make sure it stays in. To take the disc out you have to get your finger inside the sleeve and slide it out, which isn't particularly awkward but may leave you wondering if you're doing any harm to the disc. (You aren't)
Having said all of this, despite the usual faults which I thought would accompany the cardboard sleeve system - it doesn't seem to have any. There was definitely no damage in transit, I doubt they even moved because they are very secure in their sleeves. I checked every single disc and the only marks i found was a slight fingerprint which was left after I slid it out. Although I haven't done much of the sliding the discs in and out, after roughly 10 times I couldn't find any scratches on the discs, just the usual fingerprint in the same place. I'm fine with this because it can easily be removed with a cloth - whereas if there were any scratching then that's probably not reversible.
I'd say this is probably the best solution for this set since 30 discs is not to be scoffed at, and most other sets with that many would be a lot bigger. It's easy and quick to access and looks good on the shelf. Each disc has a number which is visible while it's in the sleeve, but this is just the disc number and doesn't show the season number. It would have been nice to have seen what disc and what season without having to remove the disc, but I'm fussy like that.
I can't comment on whether the set is an improvement on the individual seasons since I never owned any of them, so I couldn't even tell you if the menus have been upgraded or not. If you already have all the sets then I'm not sure it's worth over £90 just for the two bonus discs, but if you're new to the Sopranos or haven't bought the sets then I'd definitely recommend you buy this deluxe edition - especially since there doesn't even seem to be a Blu-ray on the horizon. (Sort yourself out Warner!)
I'd say it's a fabulous collection, with the only slight drawbacks being the fear of damage in the cardboard sleeves and the lack of visible season numbers in the sleeve - but don't let these put you off. All of my comments regarding the wear of the discs by removal from their sleeves and the state of them after transit is purely subjective, and it wouldn't surprise me if someone found the complete opposite to be true; but I certainly know I'm happy with it and if you're undecided I advise you to take the plunge, especially with Christmas looming.
Regarding size, it's difficult to place but I'd say smaller than an Xbox 360 but bigger than one of those big hardback books.
Someone asked about subtitles, so I've detailed them in one of the discussions below.
Reviews
Tony Soprano RIP?
Review date: 2008-10-13 Rating: 10 out of 10
So the series that had it all has ended. For all of you that missed this when run on Channel 4 and its offshoots over the past eight years or so snap this up. HBO have delivered the best TV drama bar none over the past decade (sorry beeb but there is more to quality drama than crinolines and bonnets).
The magnificent Band of Brothers, the glossy, sumptuous Rome,the peerless The Wire and the quirky Deadwood and Carnivale. This demonstates that the creative talent is out there but constrained by the pressure of Nielsen ratings and the blandness of network TV strictures in the US of A.
The punchy scripts, the humour and the courageous character arcs of Davids Chase's writing were a breath of fresh air on first viewing. The violence that is clearly part and parcel of this lifestyle never strayed into the gratuitous and the humour often generated a belly laugh that you would never get from a supposed comedy. If you don't beleive me go to the HBO website and look at the quotes from episodes - genius. The casting too was inspired both "families" intertwining to create one of tvs great ensemble casts.
So if you havent seen this buy it - it is an absolute joy. If you saw it on tv buy it as it warrants repeat viewing there is stuff you will have either missed or forgotten.
The only gripe is I bought all of these series upon release and there are new extras that I would love to see. Ho hum.
TV Drama. Redefined.
Review date: 2008-09-15 Rating: 10 out of 10
Despite being a fan of mob movies, I never managed to catch The Sopranos when it was broadcast on TV (I'm always too busy to properly follow a TV station's schedule). Nonetheless, I heard it was a good show, so I took the plunge and purchased the complete box set.
Boy, am I glad I did!
The Sopranos is compulsive viewing. I managed to watch all six seasons over the course of one month, because when one episode finishes, you're simply dying to watch the next! Each episode is crammed with interesting characters, cutting dialogue and first-rate acting. And although classified as a TV drama, there is a lot of humour injected into each episode, so its not all downbeat and grim - you'll be laughing during scenes as well!
For fans of mob movies, The Sopranos is essential viewing. For casual fans, it still makes a great TV show. I know because my wife could care less for mob movies but even she would sit there watching episodes with me... Because its not just about the Mafia. Its about family and relationships as well - but certainly not in the "boring" way you may think it is.
Highly recommended.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Steven Van Zandt
Jamie-Lynn Sigler
Elizabeth Bracco
Lorraine Bracco
Tony Sirico
Creators:
Tony Sirico (Primary Contributor)
Jamie-Lynn Sigler (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900232197
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 30
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2008-11-24
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 5160 minutes
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Tech info, cast and quotes/trivia when available. Exclusions may apply with free delivery. Price and availabiltity subject to change
