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Amazon.co.uk Review
John Le Carre for the internet generation, Spooks is a smart combination of TV cop show and George Smiley-esque espionage shenanigans that pulls no punches in its depiction of an MI5 team fighting a covert war on the streets of London. This is adult, post-watershed drama clearly inspired by the hard-hitting reality style of US shows such as 24 and The Sopranos. The strong ensemble cast is led by charismatic Matthew MacFadyen as Tom Quinn, star spy of "Section B", the counter-terrorism branch headed by Harry Pearce (Peter Firth). Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo and tough-cookie Jenny Agutter make up the team. And as with its British predecessors, Cracker and Prime Suspect, Spooks also delves fearlessly into the characters' turbulent personal lives, here given an added twist by their constant need to deceive even those they love.
The six episodes of the BAFTA Award-winning Series 1 tackle a variety of tough issues, including religious fanaticism, racism, governmental cover-ups and, naturally enough, the lingering shadow of Irish terrorism. Throughout, the show strikes a fine balance between a James Bondian techno-obsession with spy gadgets and more character-based action, with crisp writing and pacey direction that ratchets up the tension a notch further with every episode. The final cliffhanger is an unforgettable TV moment, and one that leaves viewers agog for Series 2.
On the DVD: Spooks, Series 1 is cleverly presented in a three-disc set with specially filmed "cut scenes" instead of a standard menu: interact with the mysterious office intruder to select the different options: interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, deleted scenes, character profiles, audio commentaries and more. It's a neat idea, though one that may outstay its welcome after repeated viewings; fortunately it's possible to skip the opening sequence using the chapter forward button and move directly to the main "desk menu". --Mark Walker
Synopsis
Features all six episodes from season one.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I started watching Spooks towards the end of series 2 and was instantly a fan! It was great to be able buy this set and start from the beginning, seeing how all of the characters build.
The photography and directing are great. The split screen approach allows you to get a view of the immediate history of two sets of characters in the moments before they collide... wonderful! It's also brave - the show makers are not scared of disaster hitting main characters and so retain suspence. The story lines are contraversial and there's no tip-toeing around topical politics.
I did make the mistake of putting the first DVD on late at night after an evening out and it took me a while to figure out how to get through the spy DVD set up and actually watch the first episode - but all part of the fun!
Buy it!!
The photography and directing are great. The split screen approach allows you to get a view of the immediate history of two sets of characters in the moments before they collide... wonderful! It's also brave - the show makers are not scared of disaster hitting main characters and so retain suspence. The story lines are contraversial and there's no tip-toeing around topical politics.
I did make the mistake of putting the first DVD on late at night after an evening out and it took me a while to figure out how to get through the spy DVD set up and actually watch the first episode - but all part of the fun!
Buy it!!
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is the best television drama series ever to come out of the UK. So good, in fact, that it's difficult to single out one particular aspect for praise. The writing is superb, successfully treading the fine line between Bond-style escapism and searing realism. The cast are excellent without exception, a clever mix of talented new faces and stalwarts like Hugh Laurie and Jenny Agutter. It's confidently directed, beautifully shot and the editing and sound are flawless.
But most of all, it gets under your skin. You genuinely care about the characters; every episode is topical, sometimes terrifyingly so. It never ever fails to entertain, every episode ripping along at breakneck pace yet always putting characters before plot. And it doesn't let you switch your brain off: to understand and appreciate, you must watch and listen.
It pulls no punches either. The infamous 'chip fryer' scene is among the most horrifying I have ever seen on television. Yet there's nothing cartoonish or gratuitous about it, which only makes it all the more shocking. And the cliffhanger which closes the series is breathtaking.
The DVD features and packaging are great, although I echo the comments of other buyers: clever though the introduction is, a way to skip straight to the menu would be useful. Aside from that it's faultless.
57 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The first series of Spooks is a superior BBC drama (the second series unfortunately fell a little short, veering dangerously close to 'soap' at times) and this deluxe DVD edition has everything a fan could hope to have: the entire series (natch); the requisite 'background' and cast interviews; scripts; deleted scenes; and more.
The 'menu system' is a little peculiar (my father spent about 5 minutes watching it, wondering why the show was so boring!) but as Amazon says, you can skip over all the guff and get straight to the good stuff. And good stuff it is: excellent plots, top-notch acting (including one marvellously cast Hugh Laurie) and believable set-ups all contribute to a fine BBC series. Buy it!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Spooks series 1
The actual programmes were excellent and as I missed series 1 when it was shown on television it was great to catch up on what I had missed. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Mr. D. Rydings
Sad
Great series, very exciting, quality acting - But what a shame about the swearing and blasphemy contained in this series - It really isn't necessary.
Published 1 month ago by brian
Which Lunatic Designed the Menu?
While the actual series itself was enjoyable viewing I have awarded this DVD offering one star because of the idiotically non-intuitive access menu. Read more
Published 1 month ago by JS
Great series but terrible accesibility
There are no English surtitles in this series, which is a shame, especially for those of us whose first language is not English, because the dialogue is quite fast. Read more
Published 2 months ago by AMR
Spooks (MI 5) Buy It!
Just started watching this series for the second time with my wife who loves great TV but doesn't usually like "new things". Read more
Published 2 months ago by Patrick Cronin
Awesome
I only got into Spooks midway through series 8 and I really enjoyed it.
Series 1 is not a disappointment, I love all the characters and story lines, very current and... Read more
Series 1 is not a disappointment, I love all the characters and story lines, very current and... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Freebs
SPOOKS BRILLIANT
See other series reviews, they are all exceptional, and leave you wanting more. A must have series. We did not see them on TV, so it was all brand new to us when we got them. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Friends fan
Annoying menu
I love the Spooks series - all of it, I really do. But who's great idea was it to have anything but a simple episode menu. It has driven me nuts trying to work it out. Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. Mcgill
How to Work The DVD!
I love Spooks, yes it's over the top, factually incorrect and slightly annoying but hey so's James Bond and most people love that too! Read more
Published 4 months ago by SecBoyUK
SO FRUSTRATING!
Fantastic drama IF you can work out how to get to it. I rate myself as pretty competent with technology but am so fed up with trying to find the actual episodes. Read more
Published 5 months ago by 1Bangle
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