The Sopranos - Series 1 - Complete (DVD 2001)

purchased as a surprise xmas present for my husband, he like this sort of entertainment, all the family spent all day boxing day watching the 1st series, all thoroughly enjoyed the series, my purchases were good value, quality was good, will be purchasing the whole series. Brilliant.

What an brill series. Very good acting I feel it is better than the god father.
This brings you up to date of another way of life that a lot of people don't ever get to know about.Compulsive viewing.

The series' brilliant first season is built around what Tony learns when, whipsawed between those two worlds, he finds himself plunged into depression and seeks psychotherapy--a gesture at odds with his midlevel capo's machismo, yet instantly recognisable as a modern emotional test. With analysis built into the very spine of the show's elaborate episodic structure, creator Chase and his formidable corps of directors, writers, and actors weave an unpredictable series of parallel and intersecting plot arcs that twist from tragedy to farce to social realism. While creating for a smaller screen, they enjoy a far larger canvas than a single movie would afford, and the results, like the very best episodic television, attain a richness and scope far closer to a novel than movies normally get.

Unlike Francis Coppola's operatic dramatisation of Mario Puzo's Godfather epic, The Sopranos sustains a poignant, even mundane intimacy in its focus on Tony, brought to vivid life by James Gandolfini's mercurial performance. Alternately seductive, exasperated, fearful, and murderous, Gandolfini is utterly convincing even when executing brutal shifts between domestic comedy and dramatic violence. Both he and the superb team of Italian-American actors recruited as his loyal (and, sometimes, not-so-loyal) henchman and their various "associates" make this mob as credible as the evocative Bronx and New Jersey locations where the episodes were filmed.

The first season's other life force is Livia Soprano, Tony's monstrous, meddlesome mother. As Livia, the late Nancy Marchand eclipses her long career of patrician performances to create an indelibly earthy, calculating matriarch who shakes up both families; Livia also serves as foil and rival to Tony's loyal, usually level-headed wife, Carmela (Edie Falco). Lorraine Bracco makes Tony's therapist, Dr Melfi, a convincing confidante, by turns "professional", perceptive, and sexy; the duo's therapeutic relationship is also depicted with uncommon accuracy. Such grace notes only enrich what's not merely an aesthetic high point for commercial television, but an absorbing film masterwork that deepens with subsequent screenings.

The idea of a Mafia Boss having to see a therapist is such a great idea. The Writers are implying that Tony Soprano is a 'normal' person even though he is a killer.

A classic TV series revisited. After watching season 1 again after a 7 year break it was a reminder of just how high the quality level of this show was.

I bought it for my grandad for a christmas present.I was very impressed with it and so was he.Thankyou.

love everything about it. would highly recommend.

tony soprano is a cult figure on tv.

highly dramatic,funny,entertaining,addictive to an excellent soundtrack

This item was in execlent condition... It was advertised as like new and that is just what it was like . Very pleased all round Fast delivery good comunication etc ...

Excellent Series of modern gangster entertainment.
I watched ALL of the Soprano's and u really get to FEEL like you are actually there!
Fabulous acting
excellent camera work!
Storylines keep you gripped, not a dull moment in the day in the life of a Soprano!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANYONE to buy and watch this series and get a taster of things to come in the later series made.

Simply the best thing on tv.
It is darkly funny, violent, yet subtle. It's full of paradox, i.e. the sentimental Italian persona v the brutal and pragmatic. I watched the first series on Ch 4 but then had to buy the rest on dvd. Just completing my series, so I am waiting for series 6,2. Will miss them. Can it ever be bettered ?