DEADWOOD The Ultimate Collection [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

1876, the Black Hills of Dakota Territory. The discovery of gold has inspired thousands of people to break a treaty with the natives and flock to the area to prospect. The camp of Deadwood has been established to cater for their needs and is rapidly expanding into a large town. In such circumstances there lies opportunity, and the criminally-minded Al Swearengen, wanted for murder in Chicago, has set up his own saloon to cash in on such opportunities.Swearengen's operations are complicated by the arrival of the noted Wild West figures Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickok and Charlie Utter, as well as the establishment of a rival hotel and casino across the road from his own joint and the arrival of a former Montana marshal, Seth Bullock, who is looking to open a hardware store. With native attacks still a threat and a cholera outbreak striking the town, Deadwood needs to negotiate some perilous waters if it is to survive.Deadwood is widely considered to be one of the jewels in HBO's crown. Running for three seasons from 2004 to 2006, the series has attracted critical acclaim matched by perhaps only two other shows in TV history: The Sopranos and The Wire. Unlike those shows, Deadwood was not able to complete its planned storylines and ended prematurely in 2006 for reasons that are still disputed between the show's creator and the studio.The first season establishes the basic premise of Deadwood: the depiction of the slow metamorphosis of the settlement from a mining camp to a proper Western town. In the first episode, the town is shown to be lawless and almost anarchic. Over the course of the season the institutions of law, order and governance come into being, with in some cases the corrupt figures of the early episodes becoming 'respectable' figures in the new order. This shift is marked by one particular murder, which has significant ramifications for the town and its future. This gives the first season its thematic structure, the arising of order out of chaos.The writing is exemplary, with David Milch and his writers (although Milch effectively rewrote every script in the season himself) creating a cadence rooted in both historical accuracy and also in getting across the feel of the period. The high levels of modern swearing, for example, are not particularly accurate but Milch felt this was necessary as the contemporary curse words would not resonate with a modern audience. This also extends to the general accuracy of events. Many of the show's characters are real historical figures, with their activities being a mixture of historically real events, real events that have been condensed or moved around in time for dramatic effect, and totally new scenes that better illuminate the characters and themes of the series. If there is a problem in the writing it's the lack of consistency in the use of some devices: E.B. Farnum's tendency to slip into monologue is rather intermittent, for example. Otherwise it's rich, textured and often amusing.Performance-wise, the show features excellent turns from the likes of Timothy Olyphant (as Seth Bullock), Keith Carradine (Hickok), Paula Malcomson (Trixie), Doc Cochran (Brad Dourif) and Molly Parker (Alma Garret), but it revolves around Ian McShane in the role of Swearengen. Swearengen sits at the heart of the series, affecting events around him, like a particularly profane spider in his web. McShane, previously best known as the title role in the easy-goin' British detective series Lovejoy, is a revelation in this role, bringing phenomenal presence and menace to the screen. The characterisation of all of the characters is particularly accomplished, with a real focus on making them real, conflicted people. For example, a bald surface reading of the show would cast Olyphant's Seth Bullock as the hero, standing up to the villainous Swearengen, but in fact the two characters are also shown in the opposing role as well, such as when Bullock loses his temper and almost beats someone to death in a disproportionate response to a threat, whilst Swearengen shows mercy - albeit of a rough kind - and kindness to a desperately ill member of the community. This layering extends to all of the characters, making them much more compelling.Production values are impressive, with huge sets depicting the town and its interiors. It isn't an action-packed series, with considerably more talking than shooting, but when things do go off, they go off in style.Flaws are almost non-existent. Some events feel somewhat random, but this may be down to the show being as interested in depicting moments showing day-to-day life in Deadwood as it is in ongoing story arcs. In fact, arguably the most successful episode of the first season is the tenth, which shows a typical 'day in the life' of the town aside from all of the other ongoing shenanigans.The first season of Deadwood (*****) lives up to the show's reputation and billing as a gripping, entertaining and highly compelling drama series showing the realities of life in the West rather than the myth.

An excellent series and I am looking forward too the film when it comes out, which carries on from the series. The picture quality is a bit variable at times and grain can be seen quite easily on occasion. A bit like playing a DVD on a 4K screen, just as I have found on the DVD box set of Boston Legal, which is just about watchable on a 4K TV.The lip sync issue other reviewers have reported in episode four of season one, DID NOT show up on my 4K OPPO 205 player. This does not mean that another player will play these discs with no problems however, so do check how they play on your own system and if there is an issue, send them back for a refund. If they play on a different machine ok, then the machine that shows a problem up may be picking-up on something in the discs that another machine doesn't.I once had a CD that played ok on a cheap Marantze player (about £100 I think it was) but my Meridian 24 bit 508 refused to play the track that had a big scratch on it and wouldn't even go past the problem to play the rest of the disc.. You would think it would have been the other way around but no, the expensive player couldn't cope with the damage on the disc surface. Go figure.It could be something similar happening with the Deadwood discs as certain players get upset but others don't. If all players play blu rays perfectly otherwise, then the fault could be said to be with the discs. But then, blu ray players are like computers at the end of the day and we all know how reliable computers are.Yeah right.It is sad to think that you buy these particular discs at your own peril, so be prepared to send them back is my advice.

The only box set I have ever bought or am ever likely to buy as most of the dross on TV I can do without being reminded of. But this! It's Shakespeare set in the West; I mean the script and the setting - both sheer poetry. As for the cast, superb: the monster Sweringen, stunningly portrayed by Ian McShane, is so dark and handsome, you can't help loving him. Keith Carradine as Wild Bill Hickock is, as always, brilliant, although not in it for long. Robin Weigert as Calamity Jane has to be seen to be believed: the airbrushed portrayal of this character by Doris Day, although brilliant in the musical, can finally be laid to rest. The entire cast is a dream of acting talent: I never tire of any of them, especially the character parts, Aunt Lou and Wu with the accommodating pigs to the very true to life whores in the two houses that feature in the show, slovenly, big-hearted, downtrodden, drink and opium sodden and as far removed from the usual western bar girls as it is possible to be. I will watch it over and over, I'm sure, and will find new things to admire in it with every showing. What a shame there was no Series 4 and no movie - I'd be first in line for both.Of course, as is normal with Amazon, it arrived on time, at a good price and was suitably packed.

This has a play all functions to watch intire dice. 4 -5 episodes on each disc. Excellent show. Delivered in time frame.

Awesome! I was looking for this show for a long time.

Die Serie ist einfach toll

Ik heb deze serie enkele jaren geleden gezien en vond ze fantastisch dus wou ze zelf in mijn bezit hebben. Alleen is ze bijna nergens betaalbaar te verkrijgen, behalve hier.

ricevuto oggi ottimo imballo tutto OK , GRAZIE