FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Boston Legal: Season 1 [DVD] [2004]

Boston Legal: Season 1 [DVD] [2004]
enlarge	Actors: William Shatner, James Spader, Candice Bergen, Monica Potter, Rene Auberjonois Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Category: DVD List Price: ~~£39.99~~ Buy New: £18.00 as of 22/11/2009 18:20 GMT details You Save: £21.99 (55%) New (11) Used (11) from £7.99 Seller: bbrightshinyguy Rating: 27 reviews Sales Rank: 9278 Format: Box set, PAL Languages: Danish (Subtitled), Swedish (Subtitled), Finnish (Subtitled), Norwegian (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), English (Original Language) Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over Region: 2 Number Of Discs: 5 Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5039036026833 ASIN: B000F7NP9G Theatrical Release Date: 2004 Release Date: July 24, 2006 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


Similar Items: Boston Legal : Season 2 [DVD] [2005] Boston Legal: Season 3 [DVD] [2006] Boston Legal - Season 4 - Complete [DVD] [2007] Boston Legal: Season 5 [DVD] [2008] Boston Legal: Season 2 [DVD] [2005] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]


Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review The classic combination of James Spader and William Shatner is just one of many reasons to savor the inaugural 17-episode season of IBoston Legal/I. Making its highly rated ABC debut on October 3, 2004, this darkly comedic spinoff from IThe Practice/I looked like a formulaic reworking of creator David E. Kelley's previously successful series IAlly McBeal/I, with similar plots and quirky characters enmeshed in personal and professional affairs of the heart at the prestigious Boston law firm of Crane, Poole Schmidt. It quickly became apparent that Kelley, co-executive producer Bill D'Elia, and the show's magnificent ensemble cast were onto something equally fresh, funny, and infectiously entertaining. Both Shatner and Spader won Emmys for their original roles on IThe Practice/I, and the priceless pairing of the erratic, egomaniacal senior partner Denny Crane (Shatner, doing the best work of his career) and ethically challenged attorney Alan Shore (Spader, likewise) signaled the arrival of one of the finest comedic duos in TV history. Waging a two-man war on political correctness, the boisterous has-been Denny loves the sound of his own name (the mere mention of "Denny Crane" qualifies as ego-stroking foreplay), unabashedly subjects female associates to his lascivious advances, and (in creator Kelley's words) "trades on the currency of his reputation" as an undefeated trial attorney. As the show's fascinating heart and soul, Alan Shore is a walking contradiction, and Spader plays him perfectly as a charismatic, self-loathing lothario who'll bend the law to suit his higher purposes. Deeply cynical yet fiercely committed to his own complex and compassionate moral code, he's brazenly open about his sexual appetites as he savors the affections of smart, sexy associates Sally Heep (Lake Bell), and Tara Wilson (Rhona Mitra), whose relationship with Shore grows strained as the season progresses.PWhile senior partner Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois), senior associates Denise Bauer (Julie Bowen) and ex-Marine Brad Chase (Mark Valley), and junior associate Lori Colson (Monica Potter) struggle to maintain the firm's lofty reputation, the appearance of founding partner Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) elevates Boston Legal to an even higher plane of serio-comic perfection. A former flame of Denny Crane's, Schmidt arrives in episode 11 (appropriately titled "Schmidt Happens") as common-sense negotiator with a rapier wit and a clanking pair of big brass cojones, fully capable of holding her own against the Crane/Shore juggernaut. And while "An Eye for an Eye" (episode 5) is a sublime example of IBoston Legal/I's deft combination of lunacy and courtroom complexity, it's the deeper implications of episodes like "Tortured Souls" (15) and season finale "Death Be Not Proud" (tackling a dubious death sentence in Texas) that cast these rich and wonderful characters into sharper relief, baring their souls and the courage of their convictions. PWith surprising departures (Lake Bell, in episode 13), new arrivals (Kerry Washington, as new associate Chelina Hall, in episode 15) and stellar guest stars including Larry Miller (as the eccentrically unstable founding partner Edwin Poole), Philip Baker Hall, Frances Fisher, Carl Reiner, Freddie Prinze Jr., Shelley Long, and late-season regular Betty White, IBoston Legal/I gained a large and loyal following with exceptional writing, timely social relevance, and that rare quality of chemistry that guarantees long-term appeal. Nowhere is this more apparent than the now-famous Spader/Shatner "balcony scenes" that quickly became an episode-closing tradition, with staunch Republican Denny Crane and passionate Democrat Alan Shore reflecting upon their careers, current issues, and their own devoted friendship over brandy and cigars. With these two actors together, virtually every episode ends on a high note of pensive introspection, and IBoston Legal/I becomes even greater than the sum of its parts. --IJeff Shannon /I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 27 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next » Shatner Kelly make good ! August 4, 2006 Mitch (UK) 17 out of 18 found this review helpful This is one of the finest shows to come out of the USA in years - what's more it is undoubtably some of William Shatners best work since 'Confessions of a Married Man.' His pairing with James Spader is inspired - but of course due credit to David E Kelly who must be one of the USA's most prolific Writer/Directors. br /Inspired I would say, by LA LAW and Ally McBeal, it comes somewhere in between - losing the shambolic fantasy of McBeals' lead character and somewhat softening some of the drama of LA LAW. It is a dark, humourous and often touching exploration of a group of professional lawyers relationships - which are often at odds with each other - and of course, of the legal profession. br /I have yet to see an episode where I feel, bored, let down or caught in disbelief. The characterisations are so complete I could easily move to watching a spin off about Denny Crane or Alan Shore. Spader is superbly smug and self righteous and lends a glimpse into the hidden depth and internal struggle of his character, whilst Shatner is egotistical, ridiculous, superbly confident and ubsurdly capable - and yet again, gives us a glimpse of the hidden depth of 'Denny Crane.' br / br /Rent it and you will buy it. br / br /Exceptional in the unexceptional. Awesome doesn't begin to describe it. May 23, 2007 Uenna (London) 7 out of 7 found this review helpful I love legal dramas and for years I was a huge fan of Perry Mason. I stumbled upon this series by chance and what a discovery, - a classic drama and entertainment of the highest quality. The writing and storylines are not only funny and quirky, but the character ensemble is one of the best. James Spader's Alan shore and William Shatner's Denny Crane will leave you in joyful glee all the time. Apart from the interesting character development and interaction of the main characters, the law cases deal with serious social, environmental, health and political issues in a very sensitive and interesting way, laced with humor of comedic proportions. This is a series that will become a timeless classic and will appeal to a broad genre of audience. You can't go wrong with this box set, 17 episodes of pure entertainment and high octane legal drama. I recommend. awesome April 23, 2007 Andrew Reynolds (Yorkshire uk) 8 out of 9 found this review helpful Having watched two episodes of series three i bought series one,I watched all five discs in one day.I then bought series two which i watched over two days.This has got to be the best program on telly by a long way,its so funny,serious,topical and very outragous.Buy this you won`t regret it.Can`t wait for series three to come on dvd Two words...."Alan Shore" June 4, 2007 Fiona Colley (Telford, UK) 8 out of 9 found this review helpful br /This should be my idea of televisual hell. I'm not a fan of American TV in general and I loathe courtroom dramas so why is this so ruinously addictive? br / br /Well, lusting after James Spader in his guise as Alan Shore probably accounts for most of it. Obnoxious, smug and the sexiest thing on television by a long way. The interaction between James Spader and William Shatner is pure joy. They make an incredible double act and give the impression of genuine chemistry between them. William Shatner isn't a great actor but the writing is excellent and avoids the schmaltz and sentiment that American TV is so prone to. Nice to see a strong female character in Shirley Schmidt. OK, so Candice Bergen plays almost exactly the same character as she did in her brief appearances in "Sex and the City" but who cares? Overshadowed by the likes of big American imports such as "Lost" "CSI" and "Prison Break" in my opinion "Boston Legal" is a hidden gem and outshines them all. br / br /Be warned though, one episode is never enough. I've just spent one lost weekend with series 1 and am planning on taking the phone off the hook again as soon as series 2 arrives. Boston Legal. September 10, 2006 M. J. Ottway (Buckinghamshire, England) 10 out of 12 found this review helpful I saw this advertised over and over again on sky, an episode from the 2nd series where Denny Crane and Alan Shore are dressed as flamingo's. The more I saw this advert, the more intrigued I got.... so I bought the first series..... well..... I have never found anything so funny in my life. Whilst I enjoyed Ally McBeal (same writer) it strayed into the ridiculous, but Boston Legal is almost believable!! br /The relationship between the 2 main characters is fab and will keep you entertained again and again and again. br /In fact, I found myself wishing Alan Shore was real... and that I could meet him....and just have him to myself for an hour! br / Do buy this series, I promise its worth every penny! Showing reviews 1-5 of 27 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next »

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