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Boston Legal Season 1-5 Complete Collection


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May 5, 2009
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Format NTSC
Contributor William Shatner, James Spader, Candice Bergen
Language English
Number Of Discs 28
Publication Date May 5, 2009

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Boston Legal Season 1-5 Complete Collection

Amazon.com

Review of Season One
The classic combination of James Spader and William Shatner is just one of many reasons to savor the inaugural 17-episode season of
Boston Legal. Making its highly rated ABC debut on October 3, 2004, this darkly comedic spinoff from The Practice looked like a formulaic reworking of creator David E. Kelley's previously successful series Ally McBeal, with similar plots and quirky characters enmeshed in personal and professional affairs of the heart at the prestigious Boston law firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. It quickly became apparent that Kelley, co-executive producer Bill D'Elia, and the show's magnificent ensemble cast were onto something equally fresh, funny, and infectiously entertaining.

Both Shatner and Spader won Emmys for their original roles on
The Practice, and the priceless pairing of the erratic, egomaniacal senior partner Denny Crane (Shatner, doing the best work of his career) and ethically challenged attorney Alan Shore (Spader, likewise) signaled the arrival of one of the finest comedic duos in TV history. Waging a two-man war on political correctness, the boisterous has-been Denny loves the sound of his own name (the mere mention of "Denny Crane" qualifies as ego-stroking foreplay), unabashedly subjects female associates to his lascivious advances, and (in creator Kelley's words) "trades on the currency of his reputation" as an undefeated trial attorney. As the show's fascinating heart and soul, Alan Shore is a walking contradiction, and Spader plays him perfectly as a charismatic, self-loathing lothario who'll bend the law to suit his higher purposes. Deeply cynical yet fiercely committed to his own complex and compassionate moral code, he's brazenly open about his sexual appetites as he savors the affections of smart, sexy associates Sally Heep (Lake Bell), and Tara Wilson (Rhona Mitra), whose relationship with Shore grows strained as the season progresses.

While senior partner Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois), senior associate and ex-Marine Brad Chase (Mark Valley), and junior associate Lori Colson (Monica Potter) struggle to maintain the firm's lofty reputation, the appearance of founding partner Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) elevates Boston Legal to an even higher plane of serio-comic perfection. A former flame of Denny Crane's, Schmidt arrives in episode 11 (appropriately titled "Schmidt Happens") as common-sense negotiator with a rapier wit and a clanking pair of big brass cojones, fully capable of holding her own against the Crane/Shore juggernaut. And while "An Eye for an Eye" (episode 5) is a sublime example of Boston Legal's deft combination of lunacy and courtroom complexity, it's the deeper implications of episodes like "Tortured Souls" (15) and season finale "Death Be Not Proud" (tackling a dubious death sentence in Texas) that cast these rich and wonderful characters into sharper relief, baring their souls and the courage of their convictions.

With surprising departures (Lake Bell, in episode 13), new arrivals (Kerry Washington, as new associate Chelina Hall, in episode 15) and stellar guest stars including Larry Miller (as the eccentrically unstable founding partner Edwin Poole), Philip Baker Hall, Frances Fisher, Carl Reiner, Freddie Prinze Jr., Shelley Long, and late-season regular Betty White, Boston Legal gained a large and loyal following with exceptional writing, timely social relevance, and that rare quality of chemistry that guarantees long-term appeal. Nowhere is this more apparent than the now-famous Spader/Shatner "balcony scenes" that quickly became an episode-closing tradition, with staunch Republican Denny Crane and passionate Democrat Alan Shore reflecting upon their careers, current issues, and their own devoted friendship over brandy and cigars. With these two actors together, virtually every episode ends on a high note of pensive introspection, and Boston Legal becomes even greater than the sum of its parts. DVD extras are minimal (two featurettes with cast and producers, plus deleted scenes from episode 1) but enjoyably worthwhile. --Jeff Shannon

Review of Season Two

Impressive in quality and quantity, the 27 episodes of Boston Legal's second season (2005-06) are a dazzling showcase for one of TV's greatest ensembles. Everything that made so entertaining is refined here, often to the point of perfection: As the resident bad boys of the prestigious Boston legal firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt, senior partner Denny Crane (William Shatner) and maverick attorney Alan Shore (James Spader) continue their campaign of rampant indiscretion, combining unabashed sexism and political incorrectness with Denny's egotistical fat-cat sense of entitlement (and a touch of "Mad Cow") and Alan's passion for justice and courtroom theatrics. The departure of his girlfriend Tara (season 1's Rhona Mitra) has left Alan pensively lonely, so his male-bonding with Denny becomes the series' emotional core, even as it reaches new heights of hilarity in episodes like "Finding Nimmo," an instant classic in which Denny introduces Alan to the pleasures of fly-fishing. Back at the office, semi-regular cast member Betty White turns from murder to robbery, only to find herself redeemed as the new "sandwich lady" at C, P & S. And while senior partner Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois) juggles the firm's ethical dilemmas and a rocky reunion with his drug-addicted daughter (superbly played by Jayne Brook), founding partner Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) dodges advances from her soon-to-be-remarried ex-husband (Tom Selleck) while suspecting Denny's soon-to-be-sixth-wife (Joanna Cassidy) of high-stakes gold-digging. In the midst of it all, Denise (Julie Bowen) faces threatening competition from a new attorney (Parker Posey) and elusive love with a dying billionaire (Michael J. Fox) while playing "friends with benefits" with colleague Brad (Mark Valley), who's only too willing to indulge their arrangement.

Expanded roles for Bowen and Valley are just two of this season's welcome improvements; along with Bergen and Auberjonois, they add engaging counterbalance to the Spader/Shatner juggernaut, while newcomers Justin Mentell and Ryan Michelle Bathe (as legal assistants) add youthful appeal in roles that necessarily remained marginal for most of the season. As always, series creator David E. Kelley (aided by a new writing staff) maintains a constant flow of outrageous behavior (most of it Denny's) and compelling courtroom trials based on hot-button issues including assisted suicide, the war in Iraq, private school discrimination, medical malpractice, tax evasion and a variety of other cases in which belligerent judges (played by Henry Gibson, Anthony Heald, Howard Hesseman, Shelley Berman, and others) play antagonistic foils to Alan Shore's impassioned defense. (It's here where Spader excels; Shore may be a lascivious lothario, but you offend his moral conscience at your peril.) A stellar array of guest stars, impeccable editing and cinematography, and glossy office production design make Boston Legal a constant feast for the eyes and ears, with breezy emphasis on the farcical goings-on at Crane, Poole & Schmidt. (The series' writing and production values are explored in brief but enjoyable bonus featurettes included on the final DVD in this seven-disc set.)

With Denny and Alan's season-ending visit to Los Angeles (where they defend a sexy celebrity played by Star Trek: Voyager's Jeri Ryan), it's delightfully obvious that Shatner and Spader are the heart and soul of Boston Legal, which is ultimately about the mutual affection of two men whose viewpoints are often as polarized as their friendship is compassionately co-dependent. Bolstered by clever allusions to Shatner's Star Trek legacy and throwaway references to their own status as characters in a TV show (as Kelley and his writers deliberately demolish the "fourth wall" of TV for comedic effect), Spader and Shatner quickly turned their episode-closing balcony scenes into an honorable tradition, where differences dissolve in the taste of fine scotch and slowly-savored cigars. They're bringing us the finest "dramedy" that primetime network television has to offer, and we'll gladly follow them as their crazy lives continue. --Jeff Shannon

Review of Season Three

In year 3, Boston Legal continues to toggle with ease between comedy and pathos. The season begins on a bittersweet note as Denise (Julie Bowen) gets engaged to the terminally ill Daniel (Michael J. Fox), who disappears to try an experimental treatment. Enter two new litigators, smart-talking associate Claire Sims (Constance Zimmer) and cocky partner Jeffrey Coho (Craig Bierko). Once Daniel exits the picture, Jeffrey and Brad (Mark Valley) compete for Denise's affections. The firm soon welcomes a third new face: legal secretary Clarence (Gary Anthony Williams)--also known as Clarice, Clavant, and Oprah.

As before, cases vary from minor to major. Story arcs include the murder of a judge's wife (with Ashton Holmes as the suspect and Katey Sagal as his mother) and an outrageous peeping tom (David Dean Bottrell) with a jones for Shirley (Candice Bergen). Denny Crane (William Shatner), meanwhile, finds love with diminutive attorney Bethany (Meredith Eaton-Gilden)--and her mother, Bella (Delta Burke). And Alan (James Spader, who scored a second Emmy to add to the one he received for The Practice) helps former co-worker Jerry "Hands" Espenson (Christian Clemenson) out of a few jams. By the end of the season, Jeffrey is gone, while Jerry returns to Crane, Poole & Schmidt.

Throughout the year, the firm tackles a variety of timely issues, ranging from religious freedom to immigration law. Reporter Gracie Jane (Jill Brennan), a Nancy Grace doppelgänger, also comes in for some ribbing. Aside from recurring characters, like Jane Lynch (as a sexual surrogate), the third season counts a few actors behind the camera, such as Eric Stoltz ("Dumping Bella") and Adam Arkin ("Nuts"), from David E. Kelley's Chicago Hope. The featurette Character Witness looks at the year's most colorful characters--turns out Spader and Clemenson are old friends--and Out of Order looks at the judges, notably Gail O'Grady, Howard Hesseman, and Shelley Berman. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Review of Season Four

As in Munchkinland, people seem to come and go so quickly at the law firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. Out the door as Season Four begins are cast members Mark Valley, Julie Bowen, Rene Auberjonois, and Constance Zimmer (a tough loss). But the more things change the more they stay the same. Introduced to sweet, pretty and capable new lawyer Katie Lloyd (Tara Summers), it takes Alan Shore (James Spader) all of one second to come on to her. It takes Denny Crane (William Shatner) five. The most stellar addition to the firm is Night Court Emmy-winner John Larroquette as Carl Sack from the New York office. He has come not to shake things up so much as to tone them down, and "wring out some of the madness." "We are in the business of law," he pronounces. "A law firm has to be discreet, conservative." Good luck with that, Carl, especially when one of the lawyers keeps popping up on YouTube dressed as his female alter-ego, and the senior partner is one minute arrested for soliciting a prostitute, and the next caught in his own Larry Craig bathroom incident, and the next courting a discrimination suit after firing a female associate for being overweight. That, of course, would be addled loose cannon Denny Crane, who seems to be more of a distraction this season, but who rises to the occasion in an excellent episode in which he and Alan find themselves on opposite sides in the case of a Massachusetts town that wants to secede from the United States. "Every time someone counts me out of the game, I surprise them," he tells Carl. Boston Legal is nothing if not surprising, as witness the story arc involving a woman (former Saturday Night Live ensemble member Mary Gross) with Aspergers whose budding romance with Jerry Espenson (Christian Clemenson) is threatened by her romantic love for inanimate objects (the condition exists; look it up). Another new addition to the firm, Lorraine (Saffron Burrows), herself an object of Alan's obsession, reveals explosive secrets from her past. But more compelling is the dramatic case of a woman (guest star Mare Winningham) who efficiently plots the murder of her daughter's killer, but wants Alan to plead temporary insanity. Spader, a three-time Emmy-winner as Alan, is at his best when he is on his (and series creator David Kelley's) "soapbox" ("Don't you get tired going on and on like that?" Denny affectionately chides him). His verbal smackdown of the United States Supreme Court justices in the episode, "The Court Supreme," is one of the season's most memorable moments. Carl Sack may not succeed in making Crane, Pool & Schmidt "a normal law firm," but as one is heard to remark, "It's not everyday you encounter compelling characters, is it?" --Donald Liebenson

Season Five


Please rise for the end of pure legal chaos at the law firm of Crane Poole & Schmidt, as
Boston Legal - Season 5 (2008) rests its case with the final season on DVD. This final installment of the show that put a facetiously refreshing spin on the legal drama genre tackles controversial judicial and personal issues without objection in these 13 episodes, including the 2008 presidential election, Mad Cow disease, gay marriage rights, and health regulations for an unapproved Alzheimer's drug. Headlining the outstanding ensemble cast are James Spader and William Shatner, starring in their respective Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning roles as Alan Shore and Denny Crane, two unlikely kindred spirits among the brigade of high-priced litigators at Crane Poole & Schmidt. Matching forces in her Emmy-nominated role is Candice Bergen playing the vigilant founding partner Shirley Schmidt, along with four-time Emmy winner and former TV lawyer John Larroquette as Carl Sack. This final round of drinks and cigars includes appearances from previous seasons' guest stars, including Rene Auberjonois and Betty White, as well as new clients including William Daniels, Roma Maffia, Jane Lynch, Brenda Strong, and Ming-Na.

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.78:1
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 4 x 7 inches; 1.76 Pounds
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ B0027CSMY0
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ May 5, 2009
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ William Shatner, James Spader, Candice Bergen
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Twentieth Century Fox
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0027CSMY0
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 28
  • Customer Reviews:

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
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1,375 global ratings
Denny Crane A.k.a. William Shatner!
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2014
David Kelly (LA Law, Picket Fences, Ally McBeal) is one of the greatest writers and producers around. A real lawyer who got hired by genius writer-producer Steve Bochco (Hill Street Blues, LA Law, NYPD Blue). Boston Legal is IRREVELENCE to the maximum! An 0ff-shoot of the more serious The Practice (which I never got into, too serious) James Spader (Stargate the movie and more recently NBCs BLACKLIST) teams up with William Shatner (I am NOT Captain Kirk, I am Denny Crane and you're not!). Candace Bergen (I am NOT Murphy Brown, I am Ms. Schmidt and don't call me Shirley), John (I wish I was a Loofa) Laroquette and incidental characters like,Betty (Serial Killer) White, Roma Mafia, Henry Gibson, my friend Frank (I know you think I'm a hack actor) Birney. Dialog like: (Opposing lawyer): You did go to law school didn't you? Spader replying): Actually I got my degree on the Internet. Shatner (To Shirley's 17 year old grand-daughter): You're as hot as grand ma (Shirley) are you as dirty? Shirley's grand daughter (to Shirley): you were a suffragette, weren't you? Shirley (To her grand daughter) How OLD do you think I am!? Leave. Through the windows, it's faster! They take unwinnable cases before judges including the Supreme Court of the US. They take ridiculous cases, like Denny Crane pulling an illegal concelled weapon and shooting a black man. And him being defended using the Supreme Court ruling on the 2nd amendement. This series is a send up of LAW, LAWYERS and TV SHOWS, NETWORKS and SCHEDULING (Schatner to Spader as Denny Crane to Alan Shore "There must be some time slots we haven't used yet!" If YOU truly believe that all the lawyers in the world should be sent into the OCEAN to drown then Denny Crane and Alan Shore must lead the pack and they RULE this show! At the end of each show they sit on the balcony with Scotch whiskey and smelly cigars talking about Shirley Schmidt's Cheer Leader uniform from High School and all Denny can think about is Crane in POOLE with Schmidt! This show is to TV what M*A*S*H was to Theatrical MOVIES. This is Comedy/Drama of the ABSURD and David Kelley takes on EVERY taboo law case known to Man with Denny Crane and Alan Shore confronting the US Supreme Court without a CARE in the world! When all is said and done Denny and Alan have but ONE thought and that is to see Shirley in all her spendor to which Candace Bergen (Shirley) can't stop laughing about! The pervert lawyers at Crane, Poole and Schmidt aim to damp out racism, sexism, homophobia, government spying,false imprisonment, underage voting, under IQ death sentences and every other liberal cause you can think of from happening while they dwell on what it's like to lift Shirley's cheer leader skirt! You have to have a liberal sense of humor to like this show otherwise you'll take it too serioiusly.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2018
I cannot rate the actual CDs themselves or the quality of the reproduction. This set was purchased as a birthday gift for my sister-in-law. All I can say about the vendor is that it was delivered on-time, well-protected by the packaging, and exactly as advertised new and in the shrink-wrap.

HOWEVER, this is one HECK of a great show! It features cast of great stars and promising newcomers, and is funny, entertaining and thought-provoking throughout. For those of you who know William Shatner as Captain Kirk, getting to know him as the early-stage dementia-suffering lawyer Denny Crane is even more rewarding -- it may not be the role he was born to play, but it is the role he grew old to play. Candace Bergen as Shirley Schmitt is exquisite, and there are lots of other favorites among the cast, including the always delightful Julie Bowen at her very best. The Asperger's Syndrome sufferer Jerry Espenson (Christian Clemenson) is a portrayal full of heart and soul. I could go on and on and on and...

But the main and most intriguing character is Alan Shore, portrayed by James Spader. Alan Shore is a truly complex character, a brilliant lawyer, a womanizing rake but riddled with insecurities and peccadilloes. He is an ethical cheat, an honest deceiver, a straight-shooting trickster, and lots of other oxymoronic conundrums. Although he himself is a truly compassionate liberal, his very close friendship with the archly right-wing Denny Crane is the dominant theme of the series

I have always been under the impression that this show was cancelled because its willingness to address controversial political and legal issues was seen as too big of a risk for the network executives to tolerate -- sort of the same reason why the Smothers Brothers Show was cancelled back in the '60s. The cast obviously loved doing it, the producers (David E. Kelly) loved producing it, and the ratings stayed high throughout its run.

But I LOVE this show and wish they were still making it. This is one good thing that there was never a danger of having too much of, and alas that we were left with far too little.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2018
Boston Legal is an interesting show. Sometimes it's a drama, sometimes it's a comedy & sometimes it's just silly. At the time that the show aired I wasn't able to watch all the episodes and having them on DVD allowed us to binge watch the series and laugh all over again. James Spader & William Shatner play well off each other. I believe we first met them in Season 8 of The Practice, which is a series we'll have to see if we can find in it's entirety now. The show's main character is of course Alan Shore, a liberal Democrat, who takes on all sorts of cases and mostly wins them. His antics in court are funny. The show took on social issues of the day and pulled no punches. With the way that some characters came and went it's almost like several versions of the show but he main theme is the interaction between Alan & Denny. I wish some of the characters hung around longer and it was nice to see some of them back for the last season of the show. Christian Clemenson who played the role of Jerry Espenson portrayed the characters idiosyncrasies very well. Denny Crane maintained his perfect record & I did not recall Denny shooting so many people.

Of all of Denny's shootings the one that was I think the best was when he was being mugged and he handed over his watch, wallet and pulled out a gun and shot his mugger in the knee, then right foot, then left foot. Don't mess with Denny.

I especially enjoyed the Special Features including the one in which we learned of Denny's daughter. Sorry to see that it was cut from the episode but glad that it was included on the DVD. Too bad the episode Juiced was not made into a longer show. I suppose the only way to have included it would have been to make the episode into either a 2-hour show or a 2-part show to facilitate syndication.
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Top reviews from other countries

maria dolores ventin
5.0 out of 5 stars Me encanto
Reviewed in Spain on August 2, 2021
Habia visto algunos episodios de la serie y decidi comprarla, me encanto.
En cuanto al pedido no hay queja.
Carnol
5.0 out of 5 stars Une des meilleures séries judiciaires, complétement déjantée
Reviewed in France on May 4, 2019
Il est assez incroyable que « Boston Legal » soit aussi drôle, sarcastique et décalé, alors que c’est exactement l’inverse en ce qui concerne la série mère dont elle est dérivée, « The Practice » qui opère dans un registre ouvertement dramatique.
Toutes les deux créées par David E. KELLEY, qui est aussi à l’origine d’Ally McBeal, la série apparaitra sur les écrans de la télévision Américaine, durant ses cinq années de production, entre 2004 et 2008.
D’ailleurs, si l’on veut voir les premières apparitions des personnages d’Alan Shore et Tara Wilson, interprétés respectivement par James SPADER et Rhona MITRA, il faudra se tourner vers la huitième et dernière saison de « The Practice ».
Bénéficiant d’un statut à part dans le monde des séries judiciaires Américaines, elle mérite même d’être considérée comme un véritable OVNI, tant les conventions sont éclatées, les personnages sont véritablement atypiques, ne ressemblant à aucun autre et la règle du quatrième mur se retrouve brisée, certains protagonistes s’adressant directement au public face à la caméra, tous ces éléments venant surprendre les spectateurs de la plus belle des manière, détonant complétement dans cet environnement.
Le coffret est un import Anglais, simplement en carton, dommage qu’il ne soit pas plus épais, mais il est pratique, il contient les cinq saisons et renferme un total de 27 DVD. Côté son, il y a seulement de l’audio en Anglais et des sous-titres en Anglais, le Français n’est disponible ni dans l’un, ni dans l’autre, ce qui n’est pas gênant, car cela permet quand même de suivre parfaitement et demeure un très bon moyen pour se perfectionner dans la langue d’Albion. Le tout dans cinq boitiers individuels en plastique assez gros, dommage qu’il n’y ait pas de boitiers standard, cela aurait permis de gagner un peu de place, mis à part ce choix inesthétique, le reste est parfait et la qualité de la série l’emporte sur le reste. J’ai pris cette intégrale pour profiter de la VO, donc aucun regret.
La série suit plusieurs avocats du prestigieux cabinet Crane, Poole & Schmidt de Boston, chargés de résoudre des contentieux en tout genre au niveau des affaires civiles, les situations étant traitées suivant un angle humoristique ou sérieux, selon les cas. Très vite, le noyau central se révèle être le duo d’avocats totalement inclassable composé par l’irrévérencieux Alan Shore, très brillant et cynique et l’hallucinant Denny Crane, égocentrique et excentrique, qui bien que surfant sur des idées politiques opposées, le premier est un démocrate idéaliste, le second est un républicain qui milite pour les armes et la peine de mort, deviennent les meilleurs amis du monde. Autour de ces joyeux drilles, on retrouve une galerie de personnages secondaires aux caractéristiques toutes plus délirantes les unes que les autres, naturellement crédibles lorsqu’ils défendent leurs affaires avec la volonté acharnée de rendre justice à leurs clients. Les scénaristes prouvent ici tout leur talent, en traitant tous les grands thèmes actuels, reflétant la société Américaine, comme la puissance du lobby des armes, le questionnement de la guerre en Irak, la pauvreté, la couverture médicale, mais aussi la justice et le positionnement de la Cour Supreme sur des sujets épineux, le tout mâtiné d’impertinence.
Au cours de ses cinq années d’existence, on suit les aventures des protagonistes, qui se révèlent tous charismatiques et attachants, malgré leurs défauts. Les affaires sont d’une originalité incroyable, qu’on ne retrouve dans aucune autre série, les scénarios recèlent de moments riches et très ambitieux, allant très loin dans la provocation, portés par un humour corrosif et des dialogues ciselés, servis aux petits oignons par des acteurs talentueux, immergés dans des rôles complexes et investis comme jamais.
En tête de distribution, on retrouve James SPADER qui incarne l’imprévisible Alan Shore, désabusé, il est l’avocat le plus talentueux du cabinet et n’a peur de rien, orateur hors pair, il adore bousculer les juges, avec des plaidoiries qui sortent des sentiers battus, l’acteur est exceptionnel et délivre une performance qui lui vaudra plusieurs prix d’interprétation ; à ses côtés, l’immense William SHATNER interprète l’hilarant Denny Crane, incontrôlable et mégalomane, il est l’un des membres fondateurs du cabinet et une véritable légende du barreau, avec 6000 victoires à son actif, sans aucune défaite, il croit être atteint de la maladie de la vache folle, ce qui lui occasionne des troubles de la mémoire, dont il se sert quand ça l’arrange, l’acteur est époustouflant, faisant preuve d’une auto-dérision sans faille, notamment envers son ancien rôle du Capitaine Kirk dans « Star Trek » qui lu a permis de devenir une légende du petit écran, il cabotine sans vergogne afin de camper son rôle à fond, du grand art qui lui vaudra plusieurs prix d’interprétation amplement mérités.
Autour d’eux, gravitent des seconds rôles composés de personnalités hautes en couleurs, rendus vivants par des acteurs habités : Candice BERGEN incarne l’inimitable Shirley Schmidt, associée principale, elle maintient la bonne réputation du cabinet envers et contre tout, prenant des décisions difficiles afin de préserver l’entreprise à flot, l’ex-Murphy Brown du petit écran (qu’elle incarna durant 10 ans à la télévision américaine) apporte toute sa classe et son talent à ce personnage de femme forte et indépendante, qu’elle nourrit de son charisme naturel ; René AUBERJONOIS campe Paul Lewiston, associé, il est la voix de la raison et veille à la bonne marche du cabinet, l’acteur est parfait, apportant le contrepoids idéal, en comparaison des doux-dingues qui l’entourent, on retrouve une autre figure importante de la franchise « Star Trek » puisqu’il incarna durant 7 ans le rôle d’Odo dans l’excellente série « Star Trek Deep Space Nine », de 1993 à 1999 ; Christian CLEMENSON incarne Jerry Espenson, avocat chevronné, il effectuera d’abord ses armes pour la partie adverse, avant d’intégrer le cabinet Crane Poole & Schmidt à partir de la saison 4, il est atteint du syndrome d’Asperger, ce qui a la particularité de déclencher certains tics, l’acteur délivre une prestation impressionnante en interprétant ce personnage particulièrement attachant, celui qui évolue le plus au cours de la série, avec un jeu qui lui permet de développer plusieurs facettes toutes en finesse, on rit avec lui, jamais à ses dépens, un thème opening (générique) sera même consacré à Jerry, chargé d’introduire par ses tocs et accompagné par la musique, tout le casting face à une Shirley Schmidt (Candice BERGEN), médusée et complice.
On ne s’ennuie jamais avec « Boston Legal ». David E. KELLEY frappe très fort en créant un show totalement déluré. Il réunit le plus grand nombre d’avocats frappadingues au mètre carré, mais néanmoins charismatiques, envoutants et ô combien attachants, compétents, ils savent être percutants dans leurs affaires, menées de main de maitre au tribunal, afin de servir une critique acerbe et pertinente, sur nombre de sujets concernant la société en général. Le public américain ne s’y est pas trompé, lui réservant immédiatement un succès populaire, mais aussi critique, puisque la série n’obtient pas moins de 25 nominations et 7 récompenses aux Emmy Awards et Golden Globes. Le seul regret concerne le changement constant du casting d’une année sur l’autre, où mise à part les personnages cités plus haut, l’impression demeure pour les autres d’être assis sur des sièges éjectables, leur départ est constaté d’un épisode à l’autre, souvent sans la moindre explication.
En bref, voici l’une des séries les plus impertinentes jamais créées. Et c’est un vrai régal.
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Carnol
5.0 out of 5 stars Une des meilleures séries judiciaires, complétement déjantée
Reviewed in France on May 4, 2019
Il est assez incroyable que « Boston Legal » soit aussi drôle, sarcastique et décalé, alors que c’est exactement l’inverse en ce qui concerne la série mère dont elle est dérivée, « The Practice » qui opère dans un registre ouvertement dramatique.
Toutes les deux créées par David E. KELLEY, qui est aussi à l’origine d’Ally McBeal, la série apparaitra sur les écrans de la télévision Américaine, durant ses cinq années de production, entre 2004 et 2008.
D’ailleurs, si l’on veut voir les premières apparitions des personnages d’Alan Shore et Tara Wilson, interprétés respectivement par James SPADER et Rhona MITRA, il faudra se tourner vers la huitième et dernière saison de « The Practice ».
Bénéficiant d’un statut à part dans le monde des séries judiciaires Américaines, elle mérite même d’être considérée comme un véritable OVNI, tant les conventions sont éclatées, les personnages sont véritablement atypiques, ne ressemblant à aucun autre et la règle du quatrième mur se retrouve brisée, certains protagonistes s’adressant directement au public face à la caméra, tous ces éléments venant surprendre les spectateurs de la plus belle des manière, détonant complétement dans cet environnement.
Le coffret est un import Anglais, simplement en carton, dommage qu’il ne soit pas plus épais, mais il est pratique, il contient les cinq saisons et renferme un total de 27 DVD. Côté son, il y a seulement de l’audio en Anglais et des sous-titres en Anglais, le Français n’est disponible ni dans l’un, ni dans l’autre, ce qui n’est pas gênant, car cela permet quand même de suivre parfaitement et demeure un très bon moyen pour se perfectionner dans la langue d’Albion. Le tout dans cinq boitiers individuels en plastique assez gros, dommage qu’il n’y ait pas de boitiers standard, cela aurait permis de gagner un peu de place, mis à part ce choix inesthétique, le reste est parfait et la qualité de la série l’emporte sur le reste. J’ai pris cette intégrale pour profiter de la VO, donc aucun regret.
La série suit plusieurs avocats du prestigieux cabinet Crane, Poole & Schmidt de Boston, chargés de résoudre des contentieux en tout genre au niveau des affaires civiles, les situations étant traitées suivant un angle humoristique ou sérieux, selon les cas. Très vite, le noyau central se révèle être le duo d’avocats totalement inclassable composé par l’irrévérencieux Alan Shore, très brillant et cynique et l’hallucinant Denny Crane, égocentrique et excentrique, qui bien que surfant sur des idées politiques opposées, le premier est un démocrate idéaliste, le second est un républicain qui milite pour les armes et la peine de mort, deviennent les meilleurs amis du monde. Autour de ces joyeux drilles, on retrouve une galerie de personnages secondaires aux caractéristiques toutes plus délirantes les unes que les autres, naturellement crédibles lorsqu’ils défendent leurs affaires avec la volonté acharnée de rendre justice à leurs clients. Les scénaristes prouvent ici tout leur talent, en traitant tous les grands thèmes actuels, reflétant la société Américaine, comme la puissance du lobby des armes, le questionnement de la guerre en Irak, la pauvreté, la couverture médicale, mais aussi la justice et le positionnement de la Cour Supreme sur des sujets épineux, le tout mâtiné d’impertinence.
Au cours de ses cinq années d’existence, on suit les aventures des protagonistes, qui se révèlent tous charismatiques et attachants, malgré leurs défauts. Les affaires sont d’une originalité incroyable, qu’on ne retrouve dans aucune autre série, les scénarios recèlent de moments riches et très ambitieux, allant très loin dans la provocation, portés par un humour corrosif et des dialogues ciselés, servis aux petits oignons par des acteurs talentueux, immergés dans des rôles complexes et investis comme jamais.
En tête de distribution, on retrouve James SPADER qui incarne l’imprévisible Alan Shore, désabusé, il est l’avocat le plus talentueux du cabinet et n’a peur de rien, orateur hors pair, il adore bousculer les juges, avec des plaidoiries qui sortent des sentiers battus, l’acteur est exceptionnel et délivre une performance qui lui vaudra plusieurs prix d’interprétation ; à ses côtés, l’immense William SHATNER interprète l’hilarant Denny Crane, incontrôlable et mégalomane, il est l’un des membres fondateurs du cabinet et une véritable légende du barreau, avec 6000 victoires à son actif, sans aucune défaite, il croit être atteint de la maladie de la vache folle, ce qui lui occasionne des troubles de la mémoire, dont il se sert quand ça l’arrange, l’acteur est époustouflant, faisant preuve d’une auto-dérision sans faille, notamment envers son ancien rôle du Capitaine Kirk dans « Star Trek » qui lu a permis de devenir une légende du petit écran, il cabotine sans vergogne afin de camper son rôle à fond, du grand art qui lui vaudra plusieurs prix d’interprétation amplement mérités.
Autour d’eux, gravitent des seconds rôles composés de personnalités hautes en couleurs, rendus vivants par des acteurs habités : Candice BERGEN incarne l’inimitable Shirley Schmidt, associée principale, elle maintient la bonne réputation du cabinet envers et contre tout, prenant des décisions difficiles afin de préserver l’entreprise à flot, l’ex-Murphy Brown du petit écran (qu’elle incarna durant 10 ans à la télévision américaine) apporte toute sa classe et son talent à ce personnage de femme forte et indépendante, qu’elle nourrit de son charisme naturel ; René AUBERJONOIS campe Paul Lewiston, associé, il est la voix de la raison et veille à la bonne marche du cabinet, l’acteur est parfait, apportant le contrepoids idéal, en comparaison des doux-dingues qui l’entourent, on retrouve une autre figure importante de la franchise « Star Trek » puisqu’il incarna durant 7 ans le rôle d’Odo dans l’excellente série « Star Trek Deep Space Nine », de 1993 à 1999 ; Christian CLEMENSON incarne Jerry Espenson, avocat chevronné, il effectuera d’abord ses armes pour la partie adverse, avant d’intégrer le cabinet Crane Poole & Schmidt à partir de la saison 4, il est atteint du syndrome d’Asperger, ce qui a la particularité de déclencher certains tics, l’acteur délivre une prestation impressionnante en interprétant ce personnage particulièrement attachant, celui qui évolue le plus au cours de la série, avec un jeu qui lui permet de développer plusieurs facettes toutes en finesse, on rit avec lui, jamais à ses dépens, un thème opening (générique) sera même consacré à Jerry, chargé d’introduire par ses tocs et accompagné par la musique, tout le casting face à une Shirley Schmidt (Candice BERGEN), médusée et complice.
On ne s’ennuie jamais avec « Boston Legal ». David E. KELLEY frappe très fort en créant un show totalement déluré. Il réunit le plus grand nombre d’avocats frappadingues au mètre carré, mais néanmoins charismatiques, envoutants et ô combien attachants, compétents, ils savent être percutants dans leurs affaires, menées de main de maitre au tribunal, afin de servir une critique acerbe et pertinente, sur nombre de sujets concernant la société en général. Le public américain ne s’y est pas trompé, lui réservant immédiatement un succès populaire, mais aussi critique, puisque la série n’obtient pas moins de 25 nominations et 7 récompenses aux Emmy Awards et Golden Globes. Le seul regret concerne le changement constant du casting d’une année sur l’autre, où mise à part les personnages cités plus haut, l’impression demeure pour les autres d’être assis sur des sièges éjectables, leur départ est constaté d’un épisode à l’autre, souvent sans la moindre explication.
En bref, voici l’une des séries les plus impertinentes jamais créées. Et c’est un vrai régal.
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Lukas
5.0 out of 5 stars Alles Bestens
Reviewed in Germany on August 11, 2013
Die Qualität der DVDs ist Super.
Ob einem die Serie gefällt muss jeder für sich selber wissen.
Kleine Anmerkung keine deutsche Tonspur also wer es auf deutsch schauen möchte wählt besser eine andere Box
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Sourmashontherocks
5.0 out of 5 stars Denny & Alan.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2013
Boston Legal is one of the best takes on a TV legal drama that I have seen. It manages to mix drama and comedy pretty well for the most part and introduces us to Alan and Denny who are magnetic characters, played to perfection by James Spader and an incredible William Shatner. To review this whole 5 season series (which i have steadily worked through on DVD over the last 2 months) would take forever, so let me highlight a few good and bad points as i see them.

Season 1 & 2 had a sharper edge and better dialogue than subsequent seasons. It felt almost as if they were searching for better ratings from season 3 onwards and chose to introduce characters and plots which would deliberately jazz things up a bit. In my opinion the show suffered because of this.

The characters Jefferey Coho, Claire Simms, Lorraine Weller and Clarence / Clarice Bell added virtually nothing to the show that wasn't there already (other than the cross dressing element) and as they failed to perk up ratings its almost as if David E Kelly thought "well... tried some new faces, didn't work, lets write them out and try something else."

I also felt that the writers seemed to ignore the more obvious direction that they could have taken, which would have been to flesh out the Denny and Alan characters even more. You are treated to some glimpses of their past when they are discussing their lives on the balcony, but Dennys brilliant former career is never seen first hand and Alans many previous painful issues are only represented in the narrative. Perhaps if even more screen time had been given to these two instead of trying to continually bolster up the supporting characters, the show would have been more successful.

The recurring theme of the lawyers in the show standing trial for their various indiscretions and always getting away with it was an over used plot and began to wear a bit thin. Similarly, I can only recall one trial verdict of any kind that didn't go in favour of Mssrs Crane, Poole and Schmidt.

There were flashes of poetry with this show that i felt genuinely moved by. To name a few .....

- Alan's closing argument to allow Shirleys father the right to a dignified death

- Denny's dominant yet tender legal confrontation with his "son" Donny.

- Alans arguing against the death penalty in front of the supreme court

- Paul's fatherly approach to everyone at the firm.

- Alan's good and honest heart (which he tries hard to conceal)

- The brilliant portrayal of Jerry Espenson by Christain Clemenson

- The unbreakable friendship between Denny and Alan, and subsequently between most of the characters at Crane, Poole and Schmidt.

In summation (may as well use the legal terminology), despite the shows many lulls and obvious flaws, I absolutely loved it. William Shatner is a revelation in his role and James Spader is Perfect in his.
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Amazon カスタマー
3.0 out of 5 stars 英国版
Reviewed in Japan on December 16, 2015
インポートとしか記述がありませんがコチラは英国版です。リージョンが違うだけではなくPAL方式ですので一般の日本向け映像機器では視聴できません。ですが速やかに返品対応していただけました。感謝しております。
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