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Deadwood : Complete HBO Seasons 1-3 (12 Disc Box Set) [2004]


RRP: £69.99
Our Price: £41.07 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

HBO has already built itself up a pretty-much unrivaled global reputation for the quality of some of its television dramas. But Deadwood, surely, stands at the top of the pile (along with HBO stablemate The Wire) as a staggering example of just how good modern day television can be.

Set in 1876, the town of Deadwood finds itself host to a mixture of rounded, three-dimensional characters. Given that it’s in gold-rush territory, it’s little surprise that it attracts a large number of undesirables, with an ongoing battle between the lawmakers and breakers. But arguably none come more undesirable than saloon owner Al Swearengen, the morally corrupt man who effectively owns the town. Memorably portrayed, in a flat-out career-best performance, by Ian McShane, Swearengen is the troubled heart of Deadwood, and is one of the very best characters that HBO has ever brought to the screen. It's little wonder that the fabulous supporting cast have to be on top of their game to even attempt to match McShane's towering portrayal.

If there's a slight grumble about this three-season box set, bringing together every episode of Deadwood, it's that the show doesn’t really come to an end particularly well. There's an argument that it suits the nature of the programme, however, although it doesn't stop you wanting a slightly tidier conclusion. Yet all considered, television drama simply doesn’t come much better than Deadwood, and you’ll struggle to find anything on your shelf to match it. Outstanding television. --Jon Foster


A great might-have been almost from the start.
Review date: 2008-11-08 Rating: 8 out of 10

I have to disagree with the consensus here. I really love HBO stuff, especially OZ and the Wire, and I like Westerns and have read some real history of the West - so this should have been made in Heaven, for me. And to be fair, they did try to to what I'd hoped for - a gritty, realistic and witty approach. It starts well, with one of the Carradine brothers as Buffalo Bill; for me, he was the standout performer, and is certainly the focus of the early series, but he dies early in the first series, and it goes downhill from there. His sidekick Calamity Jane is given an interesting modern interpretation as an alcoholic butch lesbian, brilliantly played, but neglected after Bill dies; the writers can't seem to think of much to do with her after that - and that's the problem with the series generally, I feel. After B. Bill dies, the focus moves to Ian McShane's saloon owner, Swearengen; he had hitherto been the bad guy, but now becomes a morally ambiguous, pragmatist, hardheaded but as kind as he can afford to be, who is the bedrock of the Deadwood community. As everyone has noted, McShane's performance is magnificent; as is everyone else's, to be fair - as we've come to expect from HBO. What's wrong is that the writers never seem to find a direction, a use for the great material they've got. Themes start and stop. Then they get a second competing saloon owner, played by Powers Booth, with his sidekick the 'madam' Joni (or Joanie, I can't remember), who is one of the best characters. Booth himself never quite seems comfortable with the role, however, and I can't blame him for that, because he has work cut out to try and distinguish his character from McShane's; not easy because the writers fail to give him much to work with - he effectively just duplicates McShane's role. In fact, in the 3rd series, the writers seem to lose interest in Booth's character, and he drops into the background for much of the time.
By the end of the 3rd series, Deadwood actually seems to have found a compelling theme, in the struggle of the town against the new ruthless capitalist who has taken over the gold claims; at the end of series 3, for the first time I was eager for what comes next, but it stops there - I guess the producers felt enough was enough, and they may have been right.
So, all in all, for me Deadwood was a lot of great material never quite used to best effect; a lack of an overall vision. It was spoiled too by a lot of vicarious nastiness. Realism is one thing, and it was certainly a brutal world, but I felt they were trying too hard to be plain nasty, and it often left a sour taste in my mouth.
I can't give this less than 4 stars, because it's so brilliantly realised, and the actors are magnificent, and there are so many great bits, but ultimately I have to say it was disappointing - it never quite delivered on its promise.

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Reviews


Stuck In The Mud
Review date: 2008-09-05 Rating: 6 out of 10

Deadwood is a Western that eschews the dust and big skies of the South-West for the mud and dim interiors of a South Dakota frontier gold town. This mise-en-scene is convincingly realised (although one is left longing for a few more glimpses of the wilderness). The citizens of Deadwood are, unfortunately, not so well drawn.

HBO has produced plenty of great television in recent years. Having thoroughly enjoyed The Sopranos, Big Love, The Wire, and Six Feet Under, I had high expectations of Deadwood, but I didn't make it through the first series. After six episodes I still hadn't felt the twinge that accompanies great TV - the desire to watch another episode right away.

Deadwood failed to propel me to its end because, come episode six, I still wasn't invested in any of the characters. The show's "hero", straight talking gunslinger-cum-hardware-merchant Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), comes across as a loner even in company. That, of course, is the intention. However, without a burning cause behind it, his studiously gruff speech and gimlet stare don't inspire. Bullock's sparring partner, Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) is another loner. He's a ruthless, murderous entrepreneur with affection for nothing but money, and neither the wit or flair to make you love to hate him.

Whilst Bullock and Swearengen failed to win me over, Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert) positively annoyed. We are clearly meant to like her but, for me, Weigert's acting is far too over-blown for the small screen. We are treated to a performance big enough for the Broadway stage, even when in sober close-up. Thus, mannerisms intended to be cute are unfailingly irksome. Unfortunately it's not just Weigert that exaggerates. There are far too many irritating bit-part yokels in town.

In the absence of appealing characters, one can always hitch a ride on the plot of a series. However, I didn't find sufficient intrigue or delight here either. I read a Variety review which boggled at Deadwood's densely layered story-telling, but the mud must get thicker in future series, because, thus far, I haven't observed any such complexity. One is rarely left wondering what a character is thinking and, thus, one's imagination never really takes flight.

That said, Deadwood is not a bad series. If you like your characters more broadly drawn you might well enjoy the town. However, if subtle characterisation and subtle story-telling are what you're seeking, I'd keep on riding through.

Re: packaging issues.
Review date: 2008-09-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

Pay no mind to the hooplehead's..
If you're thinking of buying this then you are probably a fan of the show or you think you might be a fan of the show....the show is great.....but I just want to speak on the packaging...the packaging is fine...don't be put off by negative reviews about it on here,it's just unique and will not break unless you're pulling it around on the end of a rope.Just when u open it first time the cover of season 1 catches on the lid,a minor gripe.That is all.

True
Review date: 2008-07-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

I'd have to agree! Another excellent HBO series - If you like The Wire, Curb Your Enthusiasm,Band of Brothers etc. and enjoy beautifully written and eloquently delivered cussing then you can't go wrong with Deadwood. I was prepared to ignore the comments about the packaging (I mean, how petty!)until I actually received the box set. The front cover fell off immediately(the glue being as adhesive as week-old chewing gum) and I had to shake the box to actually get the discs out. A case of style over substance, I fear. Not something to say about the series, however. A criminally overlooked and prematurely axed gem.

Nasty, Nasty, Nasty
Review date: 2008-06-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

You need to shower after Deadwood to cleanse yourself. Ian McShane is jaw-droppingly horrible as the selfserving "Limey" saloon owner and general king-pin in Deadwood 'Swearengen' making Iago look like a third rate kinder-garden bully.

You beg for someone to be genuinely decent and want hold on for dear life for the ones that do...And I'm thinking is Swearengen going to do something nice just once? Please?

I've always thought of Mcshane as voice-overs and the "Lovejoy" all warmth and charm until I saw him in "Sexy Beast" he was horrible there too. This takes it to a higher (lower?) level

I can't praise this series too highly. Its the sort of stuff British Television should be turning out rather then the multiple soaps which we now seem to view as drama here in the UK. Well done HBO.

USA _ 1 Britain _ 0.



Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Robin Weigert
Brad Dourif
Timothy Olyphant
Ian McShane
Keith Carradine

Creators:
Brad Dourif (Primary Contributor)
Robin Weigert (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437931832
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 12
Format: Box set, Subtitled, PAL,
Release date: 2007-10-29
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 1818 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)

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