|
“Murder
One: The Complete First Season”
|
 |
Reviewed
by: |
Wayne A. Klein |
| Genre: |
Drama |
| Video: |
1.33:1 full
screen |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
5.1 |
| Languages |
English |
| Subtitles |
English,
Spanish |
| Length |
570 minutes
|
| Rating |
NR |
| Release Date |
2/1/05 |
| Studio |
20th Century
Fox Home Entertainment |
| Commentary:
|
Jason Gedrick
on chapter 8 and Randy Zisk on chapter 15 |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
Making the Case: Season
1 Featurette |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
None |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Daniel Benzali,
Anthony Mary McCormack, Michael Hayden, Grace Phillips, Stanley
Tucci |
| Written
By: |
Steven Bochco,
Ann Donahue, Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein, Channing
Gibson |
| Produced
By: |
Steven Bochco,
Marc Buckland |
| Directed
By: |
Marc Buckland,
Jim Charleston, Donna Deitch |
| Music:
|
Mike Post
|
| The
Review: |
Steven Bochco’s “Murder One” broke
new ground as a series; we didn’t have a series of story arcs
we had one entire season as the story arc. While that might
not seem like a big deal with series like “24” doing the same
thing now ten years ago it was a radical concept. Set up in
a series of chapters like a book, this compelling and thoughtful
mystery focused on the defense of actor Neil Avedon (Jason
Gedrick) who is accused of murdering his underage girlfriend.
Defense attorney Ted Hoffman (Daniel Benzali) takes the case
expressing his misgivings only to his wife (Patricia Clarkson)
who acts as his counsel and conscience. As the case progresses
it’s clear that the wealthy Richard Cross (Stanley Tucci)
is manipulating both the case and the press around it for
his own unknown ends. Although there’s a strong cast supporting
this drama, it’s Benzali as Hoffman that dominates the screen
with his hoarse voice and charismatic performance.
|
| Image
and Sound: |
A solid
transfer highlights this debut on DVD. Colors look sharp and
vivid and the blacks are solid even if they aren’t as deep or
rich as they could be. Presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect
ratio (in other words folks, it fills the entire screen), “Murder
One” looks very good indeed. The 2.0 sound mix allows the dialogue
to ring true and clear with little to no distortion. |
| The
Extras: |
We get
a 25 minute retrospective 10 year documentary on the series
with interviews with most of the production crew and some
of the case members. It’s a pretty good glimpse behind-the-scenes
on the creation of the show. Featuring Bochco and co-creator
Charles Eglee discussing the development of the series and
the concept behind it, it gives the viewer a pretty good idea
as to the obstacles these men faced in selling ABC on the
concept of the series.
|
| Commentary:
|
We only get
two commentary tracks on two episodes but both are solid and
interesting if not entertaining. The commentary focuses in both
primarily on what was going on behind-the-scenes during production
and the impact the show had on their respective careers. ---
|
| Final
Words: |
A thoughtful,
involving and entertaining show that broke new ground, “Murder
One” finally gets the deluxe DVD treatment. While the extras
are a bit light, we get the entire series nicely packaged at
an affordable price. More importantly, the transfers look quite
good. |