West Wing, The - Complete Season 1 on DVD (1999)

Miles Orchard from Cardiff , 17/02/2004

What can one say about the west Wing that hasn't already been said? The political drama set in the administrative 'West' wing of the White House concentrates on a group of dedicated people supporting probably the best President America will ever have! The winner of four consecutive Emmy Awards as Outstanding Drama Series,under the direction of executive producer John Wells it offers viewers a realistic, behind-the-scenes peek into the Oval Office as seen through the eyes of its eclectic group of frenzied staffers and the devoted First Family.

It is a very fast paced drama and knowledge of the American political system does help but it certainly doesn't hinder any enjoyment you may have should you know absolutely nothing about American politics.

Just when you think the writers can't improve, out they come with episode after episode of high quality drama. I cannot rate this drama highly enough and if you are a fan or good quality writing, drama and acting; then this is the series for you.

Martin Sheen stars as the President, his support cast include Rob Lowe, Stockard Channing, Dule Hill, John Spencer and Bradley Whitford.

  16 out of 20 people found this review helpful

Read all reviews

Bertusbaby from Merseyside , 11/11/2003

With an impeccable cast and an indomitable spirit, "The West Wing" has become one of my top shows.

Not a fan over overly 'American' shows, more drawn to "Six Feet Under" and "24" (uniting all three under HBO’s unbeatable production values), I found this to be most refreshing. Despite being the most patriotic of subjects – The Whitehouse, The President and staff – what I found was a cornucopia of wit, sarcasm, self-depreciation and, yes, fun!

The stories waver from local, downtown-America violence to multi-national crises (all handled with the utmost precision and control), woven with the lives of this dedicated few. I was finally delivered into a world of people I cared about. Not because they are a set of perfect and righteous humans, but because they are 100% believable.

The sets are immaculate, the script is sharp and clever without being patronising, the production is smooth and flawless and the cast…

You couldn’t want for more from them. From President Bartlett’s (Martin Sheen) impassioned yet loveable father figure, who is reigned, placated, respected and derided (yes, all at once) by his staff to the outstanding Alison Janney (Press Secretary, CJ) whose performance is nothing short of breath taking. Whether in the background, standing on the fore or working in parlance with colleagues, every character is well fleshed out and constantly on pace with the rest of the show.

Believe me, once you’ve started this – you will NEVER want it to end! Enjoy!!

  15 out of 15 people found this review helpful

Read all reviews

Jamie Mellor from Birkenhead, England , 19/02/2004

Brilliant. Hysterical. Moving. Intelligent.

i could list more words like the above to describe the West Wing, but you're really better off just watching it yourself. The main cast are all perfect in their roles, especially Richard Schiff (Toby) and Martin Sheen (the President).

While the drama can be heavy and thought provoking at times, the series will frequently have you laughing out loud at the feubles of the various characters.

in short, if you're not already a fan, SEE THIS NOW!!

PS. the other series referred to in the title is 24

  9 out of 12 people found this review helpful

Read all reviews

Chris Olsen from Tyne and Wear , 18/06/2007

This has to be the sharpest, wittiest, fast paced shows ever created.

It may take a couple of episodes to get used to the lightning quick dialogue, but the oratory is of such quiality that you'll be wanting to watch the efpisodes again and again.

The first series of this epic political saga is arguably the best in the entire series, although every season of this masterpiece is still better than anything else i've seen on TV, and i would not hesitate on giving them all 5 stars.

I was'nt sure whether it was my cup of tea to begin with, i was into 24 and Lost, but after the first series this show has exceeded my every expectation and remains my favourite series ever.

Sometimes as moving as any film, the cast is top notch, their acting and the way they deliver Sorkin's almost poetic dialogue make this show as addictive as any, in some cases as tense as 24, you'll really feel for the characters here, as you see them grow and tackle a lot of the issues we face today.

The only negative thing i can think of is that it's a piece of fiction, if only Bartlett and his staff were really in the White house...

  6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

Read all reviews

Ricora from Woking , 27/08/2008

When I joined Amazon's rental a few months ago I was browsing the lists to choose a selection. I saw West Wing and remembered that there had been much acclaim when it was shown on tv but I had never watched it. I thought I'd have a look and ticked it up, not really noticing that it was Series 7! I enjoyed it so much that I decided to start at the beginning and have just finished Series 1. I have just deleted all the remaining series from the rental list and bought the whole collection. I know I will want to see this again and again so when I saw it reduced in price (more suitable for my pensioner's pocked) I decided to treat myself. What more can I say? all the actors/actresses - not just the main characters - fit their roles perfectly. The only fly in the ointment is a personal one in that the dialogue was so fast moving that, being deaf and needing subtitles, was very hard to watch the action and read the subtitles at the same time!

As a final note, while browsing Amazon's books to see if I could find West Wing in book form, I saw Sorskins Script for the Third Season and bought it. This proved to be a fascinating insight into how the whole thing is put together and I look forward to seeing the Third Season to see the script come to life. Still wish I could buy it as a novel thought. My collection arrives tomorrow - can't wait!.

Read all highest rated reviews