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104 of 105 people found the following review helpful
By captive8122@hotmail.com
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
I'm not a western fan. I grew up watching a lot of them with my dad, but aside from the Gunfight at OK Corral, I never really got into them. So I wasn't sure about this, but I thought I'd have a look due to some very positive reviews.
Now this is going to sound a little bit weird, so I apologise... but I'm not sure if I'm glad that I did look. I've had to rate the series 5 stars because I sat glued to every episode in Season 1 and Season 2, so it's undeniably gripping television, very slickly directly, well scripted, and imaginatively filmed, but it's not a pleasant experience. There's nothing uplifting here. This is televisual nihilism. Dark, murky, filthy and frequently horrific. There are some much needed comic moments, due to a cast of very colourful characters, but the base tones here are black, brown and grey.
I have no problem at all with the frequent swearing. I didn't even notice it much, to be honest. Can't really understand why so many people get their knickers in a twist over it. More grisly murders than you can shake a stick at, and they get flustered over the F and C words. Crazy. I did feel a little bit uncomfortable with the feeling I got in a couple of episodes that some scenes of horror were veering very close to gratuitous wallowing, though. Shock for shock's sake. But this was not the norm- just a feeling I got in maybe 2 of the episodes. I'm not usually bothered by explicit material either, but again, an explicit blowjob while a character is giving a soliloquy can smack a little of... well, going out of your way to offend the easily offended. I do like the risk-taking element, though, and the bravery of the concept. Very original, and tastefully pulled off for the most part.... Read more ›
Now this is going to sound a little bit weird, so I apologise... but I'm not sure if I'm glad that I did look. I've had to rate the series 5 stars because I sat glued to every episode in Season 1 and Season 2, so it's undeniably gripping television, very slickly directly, well scripted, and imaginatively filmed, but it's not a pleasant experience. There's nothing uplifting here. This is televisual nihilism. Dark, murky, filthy and frequently horrific. There are some much needed comic moments, due to a cast of very colourful characters, but the base tones here are black, brown and grey.
I have no problem at all with the frequent swearing. I didn't even notice it much, to be honest. Can't really understand why so many people get their knickers in a twist over it. More grisly murders than you can shake a stick at, and they get flustered over the F and C words. Crazy. I did feel a little bit uncomfortable with the feeling I got in a couple of episodes that some scenes of horror were veering very close to gratuitous wallowing, though. Shock for shock's sake. But this was not the norm- just a feeling I got in maybe 2 of the episodes. I'm not usually bothered by explicit material either, but again, an explicit blowjob while a character is giving a soliloquy can smack a little of... well, going out of your way to offend the easily offended. I do like the risk-taking element, though, and the bravery of the concept. Very original, and tastefully pulled off for the most part.... Read more ›
45 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By Kim North
Format:DVD
The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Wire... HBO's resume is bursting with TV goodness. And it's from this network that the latest - some would say best - of the bunch now emerges.
The concept is fairly simple: Gold rush. Old west mining town. Lots of gold. Lots of whoring. Lots of double-crossing and murdering. But the show is so much more than your average 'Cowboys and Injuns'. Deadwood gives out as much as the audience is willing to put in. It is not an easy show to keep up with. The dialogue between the characters is superb, but a bizarre mixture between antiquated and modern colloqualism. But it works. In fact, it is entirely possible to watch the show, have no idea what is going on and on a superficial level, just enjoy watching the beautifully realized characters interacting with one another.
The plot, well-crafted and sometimes frustratingly complex as it is, can usually take a backseat to the other elements of the show - which is hugely impressive and a brave step for a flagship programme such as this. In fact, it seems the writers have gone out of their way to intentionally snub the classical approach to popular TV writing. David Milch, the godlike genius behind NYPD Blue, is probably responsible for this approach, as it can sometimes feel random and disorganised... in other words, more life-like.
You get the impression that the writers and actors love the characters. The show is certainly an ensemble piece as every member of the regular cast pulls their weight. Ian McShane deserves a large amount of the praise for his dispicable, human and ultimately quite likeable portrayal of Gem Saloon brothel owner Al Swearengen.... Read more ›
The concept is fairly simple: Gold rush. Old west mining town. Lots of gold. Lots of whoring. Lots of double-crossing and murdering. But the show is so much more than your average 'Cowboys and Injuns'. Deadwood gives out as much as the audience is willing to put in. It is not an easy show to keep up with. The dialogue between the characters is superb, but a bizarre mixture between antiquated and modern colloqualism. But it works. In fact, it is entirely possible to watch the show, have no idea what is going on and on a superficial level, just enjoy watching the beautifully realized characters interacting with one another.
The plot, well-crafted and sometimes frustratingly complex as it is, can usually take a backseat to the other elements of the show - which is hugely impressive and a brave step for a flagship programme such as this. In fact, it seems the writers have gone out of their way to intentionally snub the classical approach to popular TV writing. David Milch, the godlike genius behind NYPD Blue, is probably responsible for this approach, as it can sometimes feel random and disorganised... in other words, more life-like.
You get the impression that the writers and actors love the characters. The show is certainly an ensemble piece as every member of the regular cast pulls their weight. Ian McShane deserves a large amount of the praise for his dispicable, human and ultimately quite likeable portrayal of Gem Saloon brothel owner Al Swearengen.... Read more ›
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By adanield
Format:DVD
In truth, the title to this review actually does the entire series a bit of an injustice. It is a little unfair to apply Deadwood to a particular genre when in fact, it's probably one of the best programmes ever made.
All of the performances in it are perfectly judged, most notably that of Keith Carradine as the weary and tired Wild Bill Hickok who if he doesn't have an out and out death wish, is almost certainly exhausted with having to live up to the legend of his name and Ian McShane as the ruthless and profane owner of the Gem saloon, Al Swearengen. Swearengen is one of the truly great TV characters. A dangerous and violent man, but also one who for all of his wickedness, also has a gentler side. It's well hidden and he doesn't show it very often, but occassionally he does and then you are forced to re-evaluate your oponion of him.
In fact, there are too many excellent performances to name them all. Every time you watch Deadwood, you will find a new favourite or a new villain.
On top of the excellent acting performances is the superb set, showing Deadwood as a dirty, squalid and hazardous place. A town in which life counts for almost nothing and where anything can be bought, provided you have the collateral and that doesn't always mean money. In short, probably what the real Deadwood would have been like.
The dialogue is not for the faint hearted. Profanity is used in almost every sentence, but anybody who complains about it is missing the point. The producers of this show have went for authenticity, and in a town where you can pan for gold, drink, gamble, whore, get high and kill all in the same day, the people who live in it aren't likely to be too bothered about their P's and Q's.... Read more ›
All of the performances in it are perfectly judged, most notably that of Keith Carradine as the weary and tired Wild Bill Hickok who if he doesn't have an out and out death wish, is almost certainly exhausted with having to live up to the legend of his name and Ian McShane as the ruthless and profane owner of the Gem saloon, Al Swearengen. Swearengen is one of the truly great TV characters. A dangerous and violent man, but also one who for all of his wickedness, also has a gentler side. It's well hidden and he doesn't show it very often, but occassionally he does and then you are forced to re-evaluate your oponion of him.
In fact, there are too many excellent performances to name them all. Every time you watch Deadwood, you will find a new favourite or a new villain.
On top of the excellent acting performances is the superb set, showing Deadwood as a dirty, squalid and hazardous place. A town in which life counts for almost nothing and where anything can be bought, provided you have the collateral and that doesn't always mean money. In short, probably what the real Deadwood would have been like.
The dialogue is not for the faint hearted. Profanity is used in almost every sentence, but anybody who complains about it is missing the point. The producers of this show have went for authenticity, and in a town where you can pan for gold, drink, gamble, whore, get high and kill all in the same day, the people who live in it aren't likely to be too bothered about their P's and Q's.... Read more ›
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant series
I found the concept at first glance an unlikely one to be such a success but by the end of episode 2 we were hooked. Above all, it's the great characters which they've created. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Tim Kevan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Claasic western
We got into the series on the tv but couldn't stand the amount of advertising inserted. Totally ruined the flow so we bought the dvds and can now watch in peace. Read more
Published 5 months ago by P. A. Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow!
I chose this specifically because it was getting 'love it' 'hate it' reviews. I got the feeling it was going to be something different and not quite mainstream viewing - just what... Read more
Published 6 months ago by nicola rush
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great tv series
Along with 'The Wire', early 'True Blood' and 'Mad Men', Deadwood is just about as good as tv gets. Historically accurate, blistering performances, innovative sepia photography and... Read more
Published 9 months ago by D. A. Hart
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent series
This really is a tv series that should receive a lot of credit and be more widely recognised. Ian Mcshane is extraordinarily good and dominates in a most effective way the entire... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Nick
5.0 out of 5 stars
About the West...but not a Western...
Deadwood Season 1, I finally bought according to some customer's opinions is really "Something"!...Though, unexpected! Read more
Published 14 months ago by Paula Torres
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bring back Deadwood
What a superb series, I have joined the huge list of fans hugely disappointed at HBO's perverse decision to cancel this series. Read more
Published 14 months ago by dw3009
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovejoy it is not
Lets start off with a basic fact, Deadwood is not a Western, still less is it a Cowboy. Deadwood is a gold mining town called a camp and it's most important figure is Al Swearengen... Read more
Published 14 months ago by steve b
5.0 out of 5 stars
for the man in your life ?
My man LOVED this - He needed something to keep him occupied between 5 and 7 pm - when there was no sport available.I knew nothing about it so went entirely on the reviews . Read more
Published 16 months ago by C. Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deadwood Season 1
This is brilliant television. Characters are fantastic and acting is superb. Timothy Oliphant and Ian McShane are brilliantly cast. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Alan Mcintyre
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