Deadwood - The Complete Series (DVD, 2008)

Deadwood is an amazing David Milch production with superb casting and magnificent writing. This set includes commentary by Milch and the complete set of three seasons. The book, Deadwood by Peter Dexter, is also an outstanding book and highly recommended. Do not confuse either the TV series or the book with the typical Western movie or writing. The set, the costumes, the language, and the realism (based on history) of the TV production are second to none. Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant are superb in their roles, as are virtually all of the other characters. I cannot recommend this series highly enough. However, understand that the profanity and violence may be offensive to some. Nevertheless, it was inherent to the time and place of this setting.

The physical production of the series is very nice. Each disc is wrapped in a separate sleeve and placed within a page of a "book" of discs. It is very easy to keep track of the discs, and they are secure in each page. The "book" is contained within a cardboard outer sleeve that is nicely detailed to look like an antique book. I think I prefer the arrangement of these discs over any other set I've used. Each disc has two episodes and various features. Milch comments on some of the episodes with a full hour of the episode and his running commentary, which is informative and helpful and offers insight into both the production and the writing and acting.

Don't get me wrong, there have been great westerns to come before Deadwood, but none of them really got it right. There is just a reality that some people aren't willing to deal that after 50 years of our history being whitewashed through film and TV, we're finally starting to see the truth. David Milch has done his research and discovered the wonderfully bizarre contradiction of languages used in the old west. Watching the cast of Deadwood converse with a combination of old world English laced with profanity straight from the gutter is incredible and feels right for the first time. Where do people think our language came from? People always want to think that they were the first to do something, when things like profanity, substance abuse and prostitution have been around since before man walked erect.

Along with the incredible dialog and storytelling, David Milch has introduced possibly the greatest character to ever come to TV or film...Al Swearengen. Ian McShane plays Al with the same intense conviction and truth that the character himself lives by. In Al's world things are black and white and never apologizes for a second for living his life by a strict code of morals of his own making. I don't think we've ever seen a character go from crying after a mercy killing to watching a murder he orchestrated stone faced.

This is indeed a special show that is continuing to pave the way for the facts of our history to finally be told with truth...Instead of the whitewashing we've seen our whole lives to make us feel better about ourselves.

The best western series ever produced.
The only negative is the series only lasted 3 seasons.
David Milch should have spent his time on a finale season of Deadwood instead of his ill-fated series "John from Cincinati"
Ian McShane who portrays "Al Swearegen" makes the show. He's a villan that you enjoy watching. Tim Olyphant does a great job as "Bullock".
I can't recommend this series any higher.
Definitely worth purchasing the entire series. The only downfall to that is that you will be longing for more.
Extreme language adds to the authenticity of the period.
This isn't Bonanza and shouldn't be viewed by young children.

This is one of HBO's best series and is in a very beautiful and "functional case".
I had been buying single season sets as the show progressed, however this set will now replace them in my collection.
Also has extra content DVD's between seasons with some real extras not just editing room floor stuff.
HBO movies are what home movie watching is all about, no other movie trailers or sales ad's that upset the setting and mood of the film.

I am a Huge HBO fan and have almost all the TV series on DVD. Deadwood By far is one of my favorites! The show is so well done you will feel like your watching a really long movie. The acting is incredible and will keep you on the edge of your seat. HBO fans... this is a must buy!