The Sopranos: Season 1 [DVD] [1999] [2003]

After drifing away from the Sopranos during season 3 for personal reasons I recently decided to purchase Season 1 to remind me of how it all started, and to be honest I was blown away by it, after forgeting so much about what it was all about, and since I bought and watched the first season I was compelled to buy season 2 and 3 almost immediatley.The Sopranos unlike so many American TV shows, was and still remains a very realistic drama series, as the former editor of [...] and a former Mafia researcher I found the Sopranos extremely real and honest to how the current Mafia are actually doing these days, but to bring all this to life the story arcs have be of a very high standard which is where David Chase has done an extremely good job in researching the programme from both sides of the fence meaning the Mob side of things and the FBI side as well, which is balanced absolutely spot on. But getting the writing correct is only half the job the other half is the superb cast who brings it all to life with the rare blend of violence and some extremely intelligent humour, which is brought off by all the cast, starting with James Gandolfini who looks right at home playing Tony Soprano, but into the mix you have Eddie Falco who plays his wife with great aplomb, but even right down to the FBI guys who only have small parts in certain episodes are all done with great respect to the men and women who are actually living these lives for real. A personal favourite of mine is Paul Gottieri, who adds most of the humour, but I could go on and on.The first Season is probably one of, if not the best series of the Sopranos, mostly because of the nature of mob life certain characters have to written out for obvious resaons, but here in the first series all the original cast is here in there full glory, so for any soprano fan you must buy this now, but be prepared to shell out for season 2 ,3 and 4 soon after as I am fully hooked once more, and gladly if I might add. A superb series of the hit show.

It used to be that American television was wall to wall rubbish and any series of quality came from Britain. Over recent decades that's changed though. HBO produces some top quality stuff. The Sopranos, in my view is the cream of that crop.Tony Soprano is the central character. Flawed in so many ways that there isn't room here to expand, yet you find yourself rooting for him. The other characters, almost without exception are similarly flawed but still you find yourself rooting for them too (most of them, that is. Some are irredeemable).It's one of those series you just have to stop doing anything else and watch. The housework, DIY and whatever are put on hold. The Sopranos invades!Yes, it's violent. Yes, there's bad language, but it's really what you'd expect. The daily life and death struggle of a mafia member is vividly brought to life.I really can't add much that other reviewers haven't said, but if you want to be entertained, you won't go wrong with this. Not just series 1 either. You'll want to watch the lot, so be warned. Buy series 1 if you must, but you'll want more. So the prudent thing may just be to buy the boxed set, wait for the wife to visit her mother and take the phone off the hook.

Without doubt alongside the Wire, X-Files and Band of Brothers this is the best thing ever made for television. James Gandolfini is mesmeric in his performances as Tony Soprano. Head of a New Jersey mob family he and his associates will stop at nothing to make more dollars. Brilliantly written we also get an insight into Soprano's other family. His wife, kids, Uncle (also a member of the mob) and an idotic nephew make Tony's life even more difficult than it already is. The balance between private life and work affects the gangsters too!! You discover how ruthless Tony can and will be but also how thoughtful he is. Its this that makes you like Tony. You like the bad guy. Which is a reflection of the scripts and the performances. A brilliant cast make this just breathtakingly good. Soprano is a decent guy at heart but work and family cause Tony to suffer some sort of blackout which eventually forces him to talk to a shrink in an effort to get to the bottom of this problem. All the talking in the World still won't make things easier sadly. He also has the feds looking into his business dealings and a mistress who wants to marry him. He also has a mother who is not as stupid as she likes to make people thing she is, which she uses to manipulate those around her that will let her. A wonderful journey from the first episode to the last this a must have in anyones DVD collection. I can't say enough about just how good this is. Once you start watching you won't stop!

This is a character and a series you can easily get sucked into. It is cleverly and believably done. You feel for the violent and seriously unpleasant psychopath who runs the family. The stories grabbed me, I felt relationally drawn to them whilst detesting them. But when finally there is nothing but greed and violence I could not enjoy the last of the series, it was plain destructive.

This is a fantastic series and would highly recommend it.

The Sopranos is distinctive, absorbing and fresh. Wonderful viewing over and over...

We are avid fans of HBO's '6 Feet under', (watched all 5 seasons twice) but somehow we missed this series. We got it as we love 'Nurse Jackie' and so as Edie Falco is in it, 'took a chance'.It was no risk! Superb storylines, people in the credits who now do 'Damages', other actors who are now in 'Nurse Jackie', and the SUPERB Dr. Melfi !Our 'new tv' is DVD's, so one, sometimes two episodes, of great tv a DAY for us! So we are already on series 2 (it gets even better!)James Gandolfini is 100% believable, the mix of humour and violence is well done, the mother is UNBELIEVABLE, but Carmella, Edie Falco is our favourite.100% recommended to fill a winter month !