- Find all the best television shows from the other side of the pond in our US TV store and catch the latest shows in our 2013's Hottest TV page.
- Not what you're after? Check the BBC Store to see all the latest titles and offers. Learn more
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
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
Product Description
Features all six episodes from season one.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 45 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!!
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By A. Duff
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!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Alan.
Format:DVD
The way the disc menu works is completely impenetrable and the discs aren't even numbered so you have to watch some of each to decide which order to watch them in. Even if you can work that out it's nearly impossible to get the episodes to play in the right order.
The series is at best poor. Combine that with the difficulties with the menu and it's just not worth the trouble.
The series is at best poor. Combine that with the difficulties with the menu and it's just not worth the trouble.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By SecBoyUK
Format: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!
My main reason for leaving this review is to actually post something helpful to those people looking to find out how to navigate the episode selection, unlike many who say "Took me ages to figure out how to select scenes" or "the designers thought they were cool with the scene selection but it's annoying" and then they don't tell you how to do it!!
Use the cursors (up, down, left and right) to navigate between the clickable options on the screen and use enter to select. The episodes are obviously split between DVDs so don't look for episode 3 on disc 1, it's on the next disc although the DVD rack you have to choose from doesn't give that impression. Hope
this helps!
@SecBoyUK
My main reason for leaving this review is to actually post something helpful to those people looking to find out how to navigate the episode selection, unlike many who say "Took me ages to figure out how to select scenes" or "the designers thought they were cool with the scene selection but it's annoying" and then they don't tell you how to do it!!
Use the cursors (up, down, left and right) to navigate between the clickable options on the screen and use enter to select. The episodes are obviously split between DVDs so don't look for episode 3 on disc 1, it's on the next disc although the DVD rack you have to choose from doesn't give that impression. Hope
this helps!
@SecBoyUK
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Kanbot
Format:DVD
It's not often that us Brits produce a show that has the pace, quality and action to match such hits as the Sopranos and 24. Finally we have something to show off to rest of the world!
Spooks is quite literally amazing. It is a very intelligent series that relies, and succeeds, on the quality of it's writing and actors. There are some gruesome scenes that shock even those who have watched the Sopranos. Without spoiling it, Episode 2 contains a suprising scene of nail biting, disturbing and horrific horror!!!
Focusing on the lives and day to day routines of MI5 agents, this is a modern, believable and enjoyable series that is sure to run on for many years. With use of quality backmusic, beats, "speeding up" and split screen effects, the quality of of this programme glues you to the screen.
Special features on this DVD include deleted scenes, commentry, scripts, character bios and the usual extras like scene selection etc. A bargain at the listed price!
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys "realistic" Drama/Action. Can't wait for the release of series two on DVD!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spooks Series 1
This kicked off to a good start. Just bought series 2 and 3. It goes all the way up to 10.
Published 4 days ago by Paula Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow!
I must have been living under a rock to have only just discovered this series! I don't have much to add (yes, the menu is a pain and it took me a while to find episode 2) except... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Carmen
3.0 out of 5 stars
Spooks Series 1
I have just received the DVDs for the first series of Spooks and was disappointed that there were no subtitles. I was wondering if there were subtitles on any of the Spooks DVDS?
Published 1 month ago by M.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Spooks 1
My wife adores this programme. She was gripped when it was first shown on television and has since asked for the dvds as birthday presents (but only if I could find them cheap as... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Big D
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas Present
Bought this series for a friend for Christmas. I know that it's brilliant as I saw the series when it was shown on TV. He enjoyed it as well.
Published 1 month ago by charliegirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRILLIANT
I'd like to know where he got the information about pregnant women taking 100,000 IUs a day for 9 months, which is ridiculous. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs Sally Goodman
5.0 out of 5 stars
love spooks
We are addicted to spooks and have the complete set now! Highly recommend to everyone, but be warned, you will get addicted too!!
Published 3 months ago by cheekyems
5.0 out of 5 stars
superb series
great series, of one of my favourite spy programmes. well acted and its great to have them to re watch at home.
Published 3 months ago by Richard Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fablon
Unable to buy Fablon in any of the local shops!
Very pleased with the service and the product which is now in place.
Very pleased with the service and the product which is now in place.
Published 3 months ago by Susan Small
5.0 out of 5 stars
great viewing
This is a great series - i missed this first series but love it. Will watch this again and again
Published 4 months ago by S. Russell
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
