Oz: The Complete Seasons 1-6 [DVD]

Oswald State Correctional Facility (OZ) houses some of America's most violent inmates. Quite a few have no hope of parole, others with several years to wait. The prison contains a block called Emerald City. In it there are tentative attempts to create conditions more worthy, amongst them educational classes and preparation for life after release. Corrupt State Governor Devlin strongly opposes, votes guaranteed if he insists on a tough line. Certain warders (they corrupt too) are also not keen: such steps represent pandering to the enemy (and also deprive them of daily bribes). Can anything of value be achieved with this volatile mix of white supremacists, Muslims, Mafia members, black gangsters, serial killers and gays? Odds are stacked against.Cue for much that is grim, but for many with strong stomachs it totally grips. Dark humour helps to relieve, here OZ and Emerald City nothing like those encountered by Dorothy. 56 hour long episodes, the dramatic finale double length.Much violence (so many to perish en route). Much nudity (this by no means confined to showers). Throughout, simmering tension, scores to be settled, sexual abuse. Issues devastatingly raised include the death penalty - executions shown in harrowing detail.Except for the Chaplain and the Psychiatrist, there is arguably no one really to like - practically everybody seriously flawed. Why watch then? Several reasons. Great scripts. Superb acting. Compelling characters, illuminating insight into how they became what they are. Some even evoke sympathy never expected.In all but one episode, Harold Perrineau as August Hill confides to us from his wheelchair (this the result of being hurled from a roof by a bent cop). Some may feel his contributions a highlight (despite occasional surreal excesses). Thoughtprovokingly he guides us through the history of punishments, changing attitudes, the current prison system - how drugs are so plentiful, weapons easily created (sharpened end of a toothbrush ideal for stabbing). Some of his comments truly jab. Take this one. The planet's greatest cause of deaths? Old age? Heart attacks? Cancer? Not at all. Answer? "Mankind. No cure."The bonus disc disappoints, such a fine series deserving a greater sense of occasion. The Forum session is quite interesting, including an aside by Dean Winters who plays Ryan O'Reily. Yes, indeed the character was an Iago, whispers in ears designed to cause so much mayhem. Was Ryan really the cause of so many deaths in Season 1? Some say that directly or indirectly he was responsible for all. Surely not. (What a good excuse to start all over again - the aim to check if that is true!)Somewhat drained, I emerge fom a fortnight of binge-watching, all of it worthwhile. HBO has again extended the boundaries - OZ a series upsetting for many, cult viewing for others.

I remember stumbling across this late one night a long time ago and L-O-V-E-D it. So when I saw the whole series available at such a good price, I bought it straight away. I had many late nights watching "Just one more episode". When I got to the end, I immediately watched the whole thing through again. Oz is gritty, hard hitting and pulls no punches. It is set in a maximum security prison housing the most violent men. Poor, poorly educated their life of crime for many has an inevitability to it. It is grim, the gangs keep themselves to themselves and dont step out of their groups. Yet, many of the prisoners are sympathetic characters, and many more are fascinating. Among the violence and constant fear of violence there is friendship too and incongruously humour. Oz has many many laugh out loud moments. One of the prisoners Chris Keller is watching a childrens programme with other prisoners because it is introduced by the pretty blonde and nubile Miss. Sally. They are having a discussion about The Teletubbies and Tinky Winky, "That Twinky Dink, he's gay".Oz is not fo the faint hearted, if you are sensitive to a drama showing daily violence, sexual violence, swearing, rascist language and homophobia then look away now. If you are not, then do watch it. Oz as a drama is unparralleled and there really is nothing like it. It did I believe pave the way for programmes like The Sopranos and The Sons of Anarchy. I will stick my neck out and say along with NYPD Blue, it is the best telly that has come out of the USA. I loved it and look forward to the time that enough time has passed and I have forgotten lots of it and I get to watch and enjoy it all over again. I can more than recommend it

I agree with you, Macbeth. I too stumbled over Oz many years ago late into the night and loved it. When I saw that the whole box set was on sale for such a reasonable price I couldn't resist buying it. I introduced my friend to it and now the two of us get together each week to watch it. We're near the end now - just the last season to watch. I agree, that it is very gritty and not for the faint-hearted and was way ahead of its time for TV when it was first shown.It's also great to see actors who later went on to become household names around the world for starring in other great TV programmes for example Special Victims Unit [Christopher Meloni, Dean Winters and JK Simmons etc], Criminal Intent [Katherine Erbe] and Dexter [David Zayas and Lauren Valez] as well as the fantastic Eamonn Walker and Harold Perrineau and many more.I also agree that OZ led the way for programmes like Sons of Anarchy to be made. Yet another masterpiece of TV.

Can’t believe this is almost 20 y/o to be honest, it’s just as gripping and shocking now as it was back when I first watched it years ago. And with the series being set inside a male prison, this is obviously a downright raw and gritty drama with often very brutal scenes of violence, rape and murder, but it’s also packed with dark humour and even a lot of LOL moments of comedy genius, not to mention a wonderful musical (although I know there’s a lot of mixed opinions about that) episode that is so fantastically quirky and completely unlike any other episode in the entire series. There’s so many characters to love and love to hate here (to this day I can’t look at JK Simmons without cringing), but my personal faves are still Killer Keller and Beecher – a totally destructive and oddball relationship if ever there was one. I can’t recommend this series enough if you’re a fan of dramas such as The Wire or The Sopranos etc. And if you’ve never seen OZ before, then you’re defo in for a real treat.

Saw half on this on the telly then it disappeared. Had to see the rest. It's a prison drama. Very good. Not for the easily offended. Some scenes need a strong stomach.

De las mejores que he visto llego a tiempo

Excellent tv show

All the movies play great. Box is even well made.

Oz tiene el gran puesto de haber sido la serie dramática que hizo que HBO se abriera paso como un monstruo de las series de televisión. El manejo de la narración, las actuaciones, lo crudo de su contenido la hacen única y sin duda abrió camino a otras grandes series muy conocidas como Los Sopranos, The Wire, Six Feet Under. Oz es un “must” para tu colección de series y no debe faltar en tu biblioteca. El único pero es para HBO, ya deberían liberar una versión mejorada en blu ray. Cómprala.

Recibido correctamente