Crime Story Season 1

 

 

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Anchor Bay has entered the hot TV shows on DVD format and dropped the ball on both this collection as well as their release of "3's Company." Their treatment of "Crime Story" is a particular crime, as they've put out mediocre transfers and cheated consumers on the very reason you buy a box set besides the episodes -- bonus features. Where are the commentaries and interviews? Why didn't anyone talk to Dennis Farina? I would have liked to hear from the show's creator and learn more about the series' history while watching. Making matters worse is the fact that this show that had music that bested "Miami Vice" has been released in mono! Anchor Bay ought to be ashamed. The rumor mills say that they might be putting out a boxed set of another great show "SledgeHammer" and if that one doesn't have some extras then that will be Anchor Bay's second offense. Let's hope season two of "Crime Story" if there is one is a lot better than this. Some of us DVD-philes expect a lot more than just the shows.

What can I say about Crime Story as a show that hasn't already been said here? It was underrated in its day and still is. So I'll keep this review focused on the DVD box set itself.

As an owner of the VHS box set that came out in the early '90s, I was really looking forward to a DVD version mainly for the better picture and sound quality. I was not let down and this alone makes the set worth the price. The picture is sharp and clean and the sound, although mono (remember, this is from the pre stereo TV days), is clear and free of chops and drop-outs. Anchor Bay did a great job transferring the series to this medium.

About the only thing I can fault is the lack of extras. There are no bonus features at all. No interviews. No original trailers/teasers. No press photos. Nothing. Although the liner notes for the set are extensive with some really nice background info, it doesn't make up for the utter lack of extras that could have been included.

And one plea to Anchor Bay. Back when the show was first on TV, New World produced a full video for the theme music. I saw it a few times on late night TV and it was a bonus on the VHS version of a New World movie called The Demons. When the season two box set is released, how about putting that on there?

Regardless of the lack of extra features, this is a wonderful collection of a wonderful series. Whether you're a Crime Story fan or just looking for something to watch when the network shows are in reruns, do yourself a favor and grab this set. You won't be disappointed.

It was ahead of it's time,like most cult classics.Had it come out during the 70's when "Chinatown" was released or in the 90's when "L.A. Confidential" came out,it might've been on for at least for five seasons.As it is,it's a rare gem that is exciting,hard hitting,and carries the force of a baseball bat being wielded by a mafia hood!
On the heels of his success in creating "Miami Vice",Michael Mann created this retro crime saga set in the early 1960's(pre-Kennedy assassination) and revolving around Chicago's elite "M.C.U." unit (sort of like the police department's own Untouchables) and their war against an up in coming mafia hood named Ray Luca.
What makes Crime Story so interesting is not only it's retro style(classic cars,Luca's Elvis hairstyle,and early rock-n-roll) but the fact that much of the first season's stories are grounded in reality.
First Off: The leader of the MCU,Lt. Michael Torrello,is based upon a real-life detective named Chuck Adamson(Who also is a script writer and consultant).Adding further weight is the fact that Torrello is played by Dennis Farina,who himself is a retired Chicago detective.
Second: Ray Luca,played by Anthony Denison,is based upon real-life mafia hood Tony Spliroto,who also inspired the character of Nicki Santoro,played by Joe Pesci,in "Casino".By the same token,Ray's Las Vegas partner,Max Goldman,played by Andrew "Dice" Clay(!),was based upon Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal,who also inspired Robert DeNiro's Sam "Ace" Rothstien in "Casino".Indeed,as Luca rises to power from the streets of Chicago to Las Vegas,it is the story of Tony Spliroto.Additionally,Luca's mentor,Manny Weissborn,played by Joseph Wiseman(best remembered as the James Bond villan "Dr. No"),is based upon one of the founding fathers of Organized Crime,Meyer Lansky.
With it's roots in true crime,and with an great supporting cast that includes Ted Levine("Buffalo Bill" in "Silence of the Lambs"),William Campbell(TV's "Once and Again" and "The Rocketeer"),John Stanucci(A real life "reformed hoodlum" who plays Luca's side-kick),and Stephen Lang("Ike Clanton" in "Tombstone" as crusading attorney David Abrahms),and a great guest cast that includes Ving Rhames,Pam Greir,Deborah Harry(70's super-group "Blondie"),and a very,very young Julia Roberts(playing a teen-aged victim of child molestation),"Crime Story" is a kick butt series that blends hard hitting drama with exciting action,and well placed humor and a must have for any fan of the crime genre

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5.0 out of 5 stars The Best
This set is the absolute best! Wonderful acting! Riveting! Let's hope Anchor Bay Entertainment comes through with Season Two very soon! Read more

Published on May 5 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars MANN GREATNESS
Every now and then TV gets it right and CRIME STORY is in that column. This epic was actually misplaced on the small screen: it could have revived serials with weekly theatre... Read more

Published on April 25 2004 by Gregory Saffady

5.0 out of 5 stars This one is GREAT!
We just got done watching Season One, and the next question is "When do we get Season Two???" Unless you are a real techno-snob, or have a 900" screen TV, you will... Read more

Published on April 18 2004 by kb in Washington

3.0 out of 5 stars Knowing The Whole Story...
Thanks to the shortsightedness of studios, many shows are lost or not properly archived so it's unfair to blame DVD companies for the condition of materials they use. Read more

Published on Mar 20 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY WE GET THE DVD
Speaking as a huge fan of both this show and Michael Mann's work in general I could not be happier for this DVD set. Read more

Published on Feb 23 2004

1.0 out of 5 stars Budget-conscious Anchor Bay
To say that Anchor Bay "missed an opportunity" is an understatement. Tv shows on dvd allow the consumer to fully immerse themself in a show with the episodes,... Read more

Published on Feb 20 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars When can I get the Second Season?!
This is probably the best network TV series ever produced. Gritty and hard-edged, brilliantly scripted with high production values, Crime Story is wired from the first episode to... Read more

Published on Feb 18 2004 by William Foreman

4.0 out of 5 stars A great show I'd never heard of
As a UK viewer I had never heard of Crime Story until browing these pages. I took the plunge and what a buy it turned out to be. Fine performances from all the cast. Read more

Published on Feb 16 2004 by L G Skelton

5.0 out of 5 stars This Box Set is Great!!!!!!!
I don't know what you people are thinking when you say the picture quality and sound/songs are lacking. Who needs actors commentary etc...... Read more

Published on Jan 29 2004 by michael j. miech

5.0 out of 5 stars Crime Story Season One
Great first season! All episodes are gritty and very realistic. Only thing better would be the release of Season Two! Is the Season Two release anywhere in the future?

Published on Jan 10 2004

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