Oz - Series 1 Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

Shakespeare in the 21st century!

I’ve never before felt the need to voice my opinion on entertainment. It’s time consuming, I don’t get paid, and as with fashion, music, food and drink, it’s a matter of personal taste. I read reviews, as any critic who consistently enjoys the same fare as I do is a good source of recommendation.

On this occasion (here we go!) I felt bound to make an exception. Oz is absolutely brilliant! I agree with most of the positive descriptions given by reviewers and feel the most poignant remarks were made by ‘the teacher from London’.

“Poetic and operatic?” Absolutely!

“Utterly convincing?” I’m not so sure.

Yes, the screenplay is thought provoking. Not a word is wasted. Yes, the acting is excellent. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Rita Moreno, Eamonn Walker and Ernie Hudson in particular. Walker is currently attracting rave reviews as the lead in Othello at the Globe Theatre.

But is realism an issue? How would you critique Dogville or Hamlet?

Realism isn’t an issue because Oz is representative. Oz is a play.

And Oz is surely a wonderful observation and comment on how the forces of nature affect the human condition. Perhaps even a damning indictment of the American penal system, if not the whole American way of life.

Many reviewers made a big issue out of realism. Categorically stating how realistic or unrealistic the series had been. What was their yardstick? It would be interesting to find out how many of these reviewers have been unfortunate enough to experience prison life in the United Kingdom, let alone went on to survive a Maximum Security Correctional Facility in the United States.

more please

As usual HBO perfect formula. Season six now on in USA so why isn't season 2,3,4,5 on this site I wonder.

Although violent and very very real, some may find too real, couldnt wait for the second disc in the set. Perfect viewing for me.