| Law & Order - The First Year | 
 enlarge | Actors: Jerry Orbach, Chris Noth
Studio: National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
Category: DVD
List Price: $59.98
Buy Used: $24.99
You Save: $34.99 (58%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  62 reviews
Sales Rank: 5444
Format: Box Set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Number Of Items: 6
Running Time: 1040
Discs: 6
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.6 x 1.9
MPN: MCAD22429D
ISBN: 0783273894
UPC: 025192242922
EAN: 9780783273891
ASIN: B00005JLFV
Theatrical Release Date: 1990
Release Date: October 15, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 08/26/2003
Amazon.com
From its gritty documentary look to its signature note-knocking "tching-tching" that signals scene changes, Law & Order was a groundbreaking cop show when it debuted in 1990. It has since earned Emmys for Best Dramatic Series and spun off satellite franchises, and reruns of the original series are as omnipresent in syndication as those of I Love Lucy. Devoted fans and those who came late to the series can catch it from the beginning with this six-disc set that contains all 22 episodes from the inaugural season. Law & Order is television's most resilient series. It has survived wholesale changes to its ensemble. One of the secrets of the show's durability: its compelling structure. The first half of each hour-long episode is classic police procedural in which "Law," personified in the first season by partners Greevey (George Dzundza--and be sure to catch the interview segment with series creator Dick Wolfe to learn how to pronounce his name) and Mike Logan (Christopher Noth, the future "Mr. Big" on Sex and the City) investigate a crime and make an arrest. The second half chronicles the ensuing trial, as prosecuted by assistant district attorneys Ben Stone (Michael Moriarty) and Paul Robinette (Richard Brooks) under the supervision of Steven Hill's Adam Schiff (more feisty and animated here than in later seasons). Law & Order is also distinguished by its superb writing. Several episodes take their inspiration from the headlines, including "By Hooker, By Crook" about a socialite-run call-girl ring, and "Indifference," which recalls the tragic Lisa Steinberg child abuse case. Others deal with such hot-button issues as abortion ("Life Choice") and AIDS ("The Reaper's Helper"). Another plus is the talent pool of character actors who lend their verisimilitude. Guest stars include Samuel L. Jackson and Philip Seymour Hoffman ("The Violence of Summer"), The West Wing's John Spencer ("Prescription for Death"), Sex and the City's Cynthia Nixon ("Subterranean Homeboy Blues"), and The Sopranos' Dominic Chianese ("Sonata for Stolen Organ"). --Donald Liebenson
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| Customer Reviews: Read 57 more reviews...
 The Start of a Legendary TV Series November 5, 2008
Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake
Now in its 18th season, LAW & ORDER remains one of the premier dramatic programs in television history. It has even spawned multiple spin-off series.
Each episode, shot on location in New York, deals with a criminal case from the discovery of the crime itself through its investigation by the police to its final outcome in the courtroom. The entire cast has changed over the years, more than once, but the stories have remained realistic, viable and controversial, often ripped straight from today's newspaper headlines.
This first season of LAW & ORDER (22 episodes) features the original stars, cops George Dzundza and Chris Noth, prosecutors Michael Moriarty and Richard Brooks, plus their respective bosses, Dann Florek and Steven Hill.
There's also an impressive array of guest stars, such as John Spencer, Cynthia Nixon, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Samuel L. Jackson, none of whom were very well known when they appeared on this program.
The episodes are offered in chronological order, four to a disc...except for the first disc which has two segments, as well as an interview with series creator Dick Wolf. Interestingly, the pilot episode, "Everybody's Favorite Bagman," was the fifth show to air, making it a bit disconcerting to have characters meet other characters (for the first time) with whom they'd been interacting in the program's earlier broadcast episodes.
All of the shows are, nevertheless, mesmerizing, tackling topics that were seldom discussed on television during that time. Among the most intriguing are "By Hooker, By Crook," which concerns a high-class call-girl operation run by one of New York's top socialites (Patricia Clarkson); "Indifference," dealing with a battered wife and her incestuous husband, a psychologist (David Groh); "The Reaper's Helper," in which a gay man assists in the suicides of AIDS sufferers and "Prescription for Death," which concerns a respected physician who might have caused the death of an emergency room patient because of his alcoholism.
Great Drama. Television at its best.
Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (available December 2008)
From a Law and Order Fanatic July 7, 2008
It was great watching all those Law and Order episodes that I had never seen. Watching with no commercials--wow. These early episodes are a must see for all Law and Order fans.
Long Live Law & Order June 1, 2008
There had never been a series like this one. It's long lasting life gives a hint to that.
You are dealing with a TV drama that does not slip into a soap opera genre. We know little of the private lives of the police officers or the court officers. But we do know just enough to make them real people.
The stories are based on the cases presented before them. The twists and turns of finding the truth and how difficult it really is.
The Law portion deals with the investigation, the trail of clues, or lack therof. The relationship between partners. And on that note, what other show has been able to deal with loss of characters, cast changes and such with such flawless ability. No big explanations on why a member leaves and no big intoduction of the character that replaces him or her. This is sooo very refreshing!
The Order portion works in much the same way. The investigation contiues and court prosecuters have to decide so many times how to deal with such a diverse set of criminals. Sometimes they even have deal with their own ethical threads.
Amazing TV. The episodes suck you in. The cast, whichever season you watch, is above par.
Imagine, you see a case from start to finish in one hour. BAM! Thats it.
And don't think the verdict is always "Not Guilty". The juries are very human.
One warning. Be prepared to get mad...sometimes very mad. The glimpse into our judical system can be a bit surprising.
 Great show! May 2, 2008
Law & Order - The First Year
Very fun to watch, especially those interested in law/police work.
Lots of things that bring you back to the early 90's, lol.
Just an enjoyable show... which is based on many true stories.
Wow March 16, 2008
I have Season 1-4, those are my favorite ones. Contrary to the most other opinions, I liked the "original cast" including season 4 the best. But however I honestly enjoy the show - cops - catch - d.a. - prosecute - and the way it interacts with each other.
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