The Sopranos: Complete Series 1 (Six Disc Set) [1999]

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. --Sam Sutherland, Amazon.com

After seeing nearly every retro-gangster movie, this progresses to a new level. The ideas of exploring how the family is affected and how old mafia values are lost is unrevealed terrain and has a devastating effect by taking everything that is essential to a gangster movie and adding everything that makes a TV series good. It gives you a chance to see the workings of a mafia family in more detail and the sub-plots that intertwine both the crime aspect and family aspects make this a thoroughly intriguing TV show.

Do yourself a favour and splash out on this. Enjoy!


THE SOPRANOS HIT A HIGH NOTE...   March 8, 2003
 22 out of 25 found this review helpful

My son is a big Sopranos fan, so I bought him the first season DVD set for Christmas. I myself had seen maybe two or three episodes on cable and had enjoyed them. So, when he began watching the set, I was right there watching with him. What a terrific show. It is absolutely gripping.

It is a marvelously creative series with a stellar cast. For those of you who have been visiting relatives in Antarctica for the past several years, the story revolves around the mob in New Jersey. It centers on one family specifically, the Sopranos, headed by Anthony Soprano (James Gandolfini), who is married to his loyal childhood sweetheart, Carmela (Edie DeFalco). Together they have two children, Meadow and Anthony, Jr. Tony's dangerously manipulative mother, Livia (Nancy Marchand), is bound for a retirement home, if Tony has any say.

Tony, however, has another family, comprised of a bunch of murderous henchmen, who occasionally march to the tune of a different drummer, and a Russian mistress. Trying to balance all this has given Tony panic attacks, so he goes to a psychiatrist, Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco), whose relationship with her client alternates between fear and fascination.

The writing for this series is splendid and the interweaving of comedic and familial moments with the darker, more violent ones provides the viewer with an intelligently woven plot. James Gandolfini is outstanding as Tony Soprano, a powerful mob boss, who can also be a teddy bear of a guy and a good friend, unless you are perceived to have been disloyal. Then, you may kiss your buns goodbye. Tony is mercurial, sexy, fearful, cautious, and, given the right circumstances, deadly. He is a fascinating and beguiling character. Edie DeFalco is warm, funny, loyal, and the glue that binds their immediate family together. Yet, she too has her own sting, and she knows the power that her husband has. She is not above using it herself, if necessary. The late Nancy Marchand was terrific as Livia, the manipulative, scheming mother. She will be missed, as she was quite a character.

Be aware, however, that this show is totally addictive! Once you have seen the first season, you will be hooked and will want to see the entire second, third, and fourth seasons, as well.


Truly the "family redefined". Gritty, funny, fantastic!   April 11, 2001
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

James Gandolfini and co are a breath of fresh air when considering the wealth of US series' actors breezing onto UK screens. The first series of The Sopranos is a classic, a reliable purchase even if you have no knowledge of the show.

The series combines the best bits of US-gangster action from movies like the Godfather and Goodfellas, and the 21st century culture shock of drugs and therapy. Tony Sopranos struggles under the stress of his Uncle's new found gang leadership and of course the trials and tribulations of family life.

Along for the ride (and for great entertainment) are fellow mafia friends Paulie, Pussy, and Christopher (played by the fabulous Michael Imperioli) among others.

The Sopranos deserves its critical acclaim and Emmy successes, and is certainly a must-have for your DVD collection! Highly recommended!


OUTSTANDING ESSENTIAL COMPULSIVE VIEWING!   January 4, 2002
 12 out of 14 found this review helpful

I'd heard about this series from respected critical friends but never got the time to catch it on TV, so, many months later I bought this series 1 pack and after watching episode 1 was HOOKED!!! Although I like mob-type movies I'm not a massive fan, but this series is something totally new, fresh & sometimes outragous, it's excellent!!!!
Buy this then buy the next series, I have and am glued to the clever witty portrayal of a normal man raising a family & running a household whilst balancing his underworld business on a knife-edge!


bada bing!   April 22, 2001
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This was already the best ever television series and it is even more compulsive watched in large chunks rather than per episode. The packaging (us version) is pretty good too! Picture quality is excellent especially if you have a widescreen television.