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Amazon.co.uk Review
From the off, Mad Men was reaping plaudits and acclaim, as critics and audiences lined up to declare it one of the best new modern drama series that television has brought us. What’s perhaps even more impressive, though, is that it’s kept this going. That, four seasons in, it’s not just managed to keep up the elegant stylings that got many to sit up and take notice in the first place. But that it’s delivering some terrific television as it does so. Season four puts added emphasis onto Don Draper, expertly played by Jon Hamm, and this in turn throws the spotlight onto the people closest to him. Furthermore, Mad Men, as always, finds room to explore the supporting characters, with several compelling threads to follow. Without giving too much away, the show also picks up from the events at the end of season three, and the characters concerned find the ride just a little bumpier than they might have been expecting. It’s a terrific show. Played by a cast of characters who inhabit their roles expertly, Mad Men is what happens when a group of people who are genuinely expert at their jobs come together at just the right time. In a decade that has seen a collection of excellent television series laying claim to our time and attention, Mad Men stands proud as one of the finest of the lot. --Jon Foster
Product Description
In Mad Men, the glass ceiling is dangerously low, and sexism reigns in a way that may shock modern viewers. But this isn't the prim '60s of The Dick Van Dyke Show; Weiner's characters seduce, smoke, and swig with abandon--often within the walls of Sterling Cooper. Includes all the episodes from series four of the show.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
159 of 171 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I accept that Mad Men has become a high class soap. Probably it always was, but in series one, it hinted at drama of a different level. However, the distinctions between soap and drama are often far from clear (Tennessee Williams, Faulkner, Edward Albee all share a taste for melodramatic situations and family squabbles, for example). Directors like Douglas Sirk used soap situations to make beautifully shot films and explore social issues. Mad Men 4, soap or not, continues to be excellent television, still beautifully scripted, always compelling viewing.
The first couple of episodes start slowly, but once the series gets into its stride, charting Don's loss of timing as a business and creative ad man and with the women he chases, it exerts its previous dramatic grip. Don, separated, goes into partial decline, until saved by Peggy, the character with whom he is most closely aligned - spiritually. The magazine articles like to focus on Don (and Joan), but the Peggy character is really at the heart of Mad Men - her intelligence, her attention to her work, her strength and the way she deals with her problems. If I may offer some film comparisons: A Star is Born, the aging male pop star in decline, the young female one in the ascent. Another analogy to consider is the relationship in Saturday Night Fever. A well dressed talented man, with a troubled personal life and a feisty girl on the up in Manhattan. He wants her as a lover, but in the end they shake hands and become friends. Are these too the trajectories of Don and Peggy - a fine romance or a moving friendship?
As in previous Mad Men series, the secondary characters all get their own stories in different episodes. Pete, Roger, Joan, Lane - superbly acted, excellently scripted. There is also much fun and drama to be had from Don's many and varied secretaries.
Series 4 takes us into the mid sixties, with the clothes, sets, music all changing. Beatnik parties and Simon and Garfunkel. Where Mad Men is ultimately going after this series I don't know, but I hope the show goes out in a blaze of glory, dying young, like a 60's pop star, because I never want to see Don in big lapels and a kipper tie, drunk, the wrong side of middle-aged and not cool anymore, slavering over women half his age. Jeez, I've got my own life if I want that!
Mad Men 4 - it's still 'must watch' television.
The first couple of episodes start slowly, but once the series gets into its stride, charting Don's loss of timing as a business and creative ad man and with the women he chases, it exerts its previous dramatic grip. Don, separated, goes into partial decline, until saved by Peggy, the character with whom he is most closely aligned - spiritually. The magazine articles like to focus on Don (and Joan), but the Peggy character is really at the heart of Mad Men - her intelligence, her attention to her work, her strength and the way she deals with her problems. If I may offer some film comparisons: A Star is Born, the aging male pop star in decline, the young female one in the ascent. Another analogy to consider is the relationship in Saturday Night Fever. A well dressed talented man, with a troubled personal life and a feisty girl on the up in Manhattan. He wants her as a lover, but in the end they shake hands and become friends. Are these too the trajectories of Don and Peggy - a fine romance or a moving friendship?
As in previous Mad Men series, the secondary characters all get their own stories in different episodes. Pete, Roger, Joan, Lane - superbly acted, excellently scripted. There is also much fun and drama to be had from Don's many and varied secretaries.
Series 4 takes us into the mid sixties, with the clothes, sets, music all changing. Beatnik parties and Simon and Garfunkel. Where Mad Men is ultimately going after this series I don't know, but I hope the show goes out in a blaze of glory, dying young, like a 60's pop star, because I never want to see Don in big lapels and a kipper tie, drunk, the wrong side of middle-aged and not cool anymore, slavering over women half his age. Jeez, I've got my own life if I want that!
Mad Men 4 - it's still 'must watch' television.
44 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
**** Very slight spoiler alert*****
I think there are only a few definitive TV shows that absolutely must be watched. Top of my list is and possibly always will be, is the Sopranos. The Wire is another. Dexter creeps in there. Curb Your Enthusiasm.... you get the idea.
Mad Men is my number two. It moved up from number four on my list to number two after this season.
Being a business professional myself, I found this season even better than the last because whilst they are all about the business of advertising, this season deals with what can happen in professional service industries when those who service clients break away to form their own businesses and rely upon the clients they had at their old place to follow them.
Without giving too much away (you know this if you watched season 3 anyway), Sterling, Cooper and Draper along with a lot of others leave Sterling Cooper at the end of season 3 after it is taken over by Mccann. Incidentally- and this is one of the joys about this series- they use real companies both when talking about competing advertising agencies and with the products/ companies they have as clients, so it feels like you are watching some historical business piece rather than a total work of fiction. I always wonder how they get permission, especially when they are being less than glowing about some of their rivals. The Conrad Hilton episodes surely could not have been done if he was still alive!
This season follows the trials and tribulations of the new fledgling business, including showing the personal financial risk those involved are exposed to when things do not go entirely to plan. Even though it is set in the late 60s, with the changing fashion and attitudes as the decade ends and heads towards the 70's it is very realistic and relevant even by today's standards on the business side of things.
It also continues to follow the personal lives of all the main cast members, including of course Donald Draper and there is quite a twist regarding what he ends up doing on a relationship level.
Overall, whilst some have said they thought this season lost something by being moved out of the old office, I thought it gained a lot and was by far the best of the seasons and I simply cannot wait until season 5 to see where this goes.
Who knows, one day it may even supplant The Sopranos at number one on my list. Maybe.....
I think there are only a few definitive TV shows that absolutely must be watched. Top of my list is and possibly always will be, is the Sopranos. The Wire is another. Dexter creeps in there. Curb Your Enthusiasm.... you get the idea.
Mad Men is my number two. It moved up from number four on my list to number two after this season.
Being a business professional myself, I found this season even better than the last because whilst they are all about the business of advertising, this season deals with what can happen in professional service industries when those who service clients break away to form their own businesses and rely upon the clients they had at their old place to follow them.
Without giving too much away (you know this if you watched season 3 anyway), Sterling, Cooper and Draper along with a lot of others leave Sterling Cooper at the end of season 3 after it is taken over by Mccann. Incidentally- and this is one of the joys about this series- they use real companies both when talking about competing advertising agencies and with the products/ companies they have as clients, so it feels like you are watching some historical business piece rather than a total work of fiction. I always wonder how they get permission, especially when they are being less than glowing about some of their rivals. The Conrad Hilton episodes surely could not have been done if he was still alive!
This season follows the trials and tribulations of the new fledgling business, including showing the personal financial risk those involved are exposed to when things do not go entirely to plan. Even though it is set in the late 60s, with the changing fashion and attitudes as the decade ends and heads towards the 70's it is very realistic and relevant even by today's standards on the business side of things.
It also continues to follow the personal lives of all the main cast members, including of course Donald Draper and there is quite a twist regarding what he ends up doing on a relationship level.
Overall, whilst some have said they thought this season lost something by being moved out of the old office, I thought it gained a lot and was by far the best of the seasons and I simply cannot wait until season 5 to see where this goes.
Who knows, one day it may even supplant The Sopranos at number one on my list. Maybe.....
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A sharp witty and sexy series. The sixties represented so well. The attention to detail is quite amazing. I was unable to pace my viewing so watched it all in a weekend!!!Now, sadly, I must wait for the next series.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Doesn't play on my Samsung BD1500 Blu Ray player
I'm disappointed not to be reviewing what others report as a superb fourth season because none of the three blu ray disks in the MadMen 4 set plays on my Samsung BD1500 Blu Ray... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Lester's Owner
Mad for it!
MadMen just continues to get better and better. Haven't finished watching this series yet but the first half a dozen episodes have me as hooked as ever. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Martin Smith
Amazing serie continues..
Needless to say the serie is absolutely amazing and every episode brings a lot of excitement and fun.Pure pleasure to watch.The product was delivered on time and in good shape. Read more
Published 23 days ago by madmenfan
Good product
A very good product which I was keen to buy. Received well within the time specified and undamaged. No complaints whatsoever.
Published 1 month ago by Edward
Compelling viewing. MAD MEN SEASON 4 [DVD]
Firstly, a huge thank you to Amazon/Indigo Starfish and the Royal Mail for getting the package to me in such a short space of time, even though I selected 1st class post I didn't... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Chris UK 2011
Mad Men, series 4
Great to view this again - saw it first on TV. Followed & enjoyed this series from the very first series on the BBC. Read more
Published 1 month ago by JohnB
Disc problems
Probably not the correct place to right such commentary but am happy to be redirected. I love Mad Men and this series is no exception. Read more
Published 1 month ago by 5Dheir
mad mania
Mad Men season 4 continues the high standard we have come to expect. Don Draper is becoming human, er maybe not! Can't wait for season 5. Sheer class!
Published 1 month ago by izzywizzy19
Mad Men season 4
This DVD was purchased for a friends birthday present. I have never seen an episode of this program so am unable to give an opinion on it.
Published 2 months ago by Fraser Bear
Madmen 4
As yet I have not viewed Madmen 4 but having just finished viewing series 3, 2 and 1 I just know standards will remain. Read more
Published 2 months ago by D. A. Varley
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