Product Details

• Actors: Calista Flockhart, Sally Field, Rachel Griffiths, Ron Rifkin, Patricia Wettig
• Format: Box set, Color, NTSC, Subtitled
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 6
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
• DVD Release Date: September 18, 2007
• Run Time: 988 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000R7HRRA
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,938 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Brothers and Sisters - The Complete First Season" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Just because you're all grown up doesn't mean your family dynamics get any easier. Luckily for TV fans, the first season of Brothers and Sisters makes for addictive watching while exploring the intricacies of a family, in crisis and in repose. First, let us give thanks for the amazing Sally Field, who has literally grown up on the small screen, and who now plays the matriarch of the Walker family, though not as a power-mad dowager, but as a well-meaning, slightly naive but fiercely loyal California girl gone ever-so-slightly gray. In fact, when this show debuted in the fall of 2006, it was known as the "new Calista Flockhart show," but Field quickly became the standout in a stellar ensemble cast.

While the Walkers' problems of money and business deals may seem rarefied to some, the family pecking orders and feuds are universal and handled deftly by the writers and the actors, including Patricia Wettig, the icy former mistress of the dearly departed Walker pere (Tom Skerritt), and brothers Dave Annable and Balthazar Getty. Rachel Griffiths is a tart sisterly counterpoint to Flockhart's flighty Ann Coulter wannabe. In short, anyone with a family should be able to relate. And, perhaps, cringe a bit. --A.T. Hurley

Product Description

Enter the complex world of the Walkers, and explore what it means to be an American family in the 21st century. Though they live very different and conflicting lives, the Walkers find unity under the family roof. Relationships bend but never break as they strive to find their own identities and embrace each other’s differences. It's "an encounter to look forward to," says The Wall Street Journal. Get caught up in one of television’s most reflective and sophisticated dramas. Calista Flockhart, Sally Field, Rachel Griffiths, Ron Rifkin, Balthazar Getty and Patricia Wettig lead a stellar cast in ABC’s critically acclaimed hit Brothers & Sisters. Experience every episode of Season One, including exclusive, in-depth bonus material, in this six-disc DVD set.

Stills from Brothers and Sisters (click for larger image)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the few bright spots of modern television August 22, 2007

By John Jones

Format:DVD

Somehow this show originally escaped my radar - then I was talking to a friend about a song from one of the "Ally McBeal" soundtracks and she said, "have you seen the new show with Calista? And Rachel Griffiths from 6 Feet Under? And Sally Field and Patricia Wettig?" I went home that night, set a TIVO season pass, and was relieved to find all the full-length, previously-aired episodes on ABC.com. Soapy? A bit. Addictive? Definitely!

Some actors and their stories, like the brother and his wife trying to conceive, aren't the most mesmerizing...but overall this is a show you can easily get addicted to. Just the right amount of drama and humor to keep it from being a one-note affair, and the parade of guest stars (Meredith Baxter, Marion Ross, Susan Sullivan and Rob Lowe, who's technically credited as Special Guest Star for this season) is icing on the cake. I'm anxious for the new season to begin...and I can't remember the last time I said that about a series that wasn't on HBO!

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great new drama September 14, 2007

By Lisa Siegel VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I knew I was going to like this show the minute I found out that Sally Field and Rachel Griffiths (who is nominated for an Emmy this year for her performance) were going to star in the show. I didn't really know much about the other actors except for Calista Flockhart (from Ally McBeal fame) and Tom Skirrit (who is only in the pilot and then featured in a few other episodes). They all do a fabulous job if you ask me.

The show is basically centered around the Walker family with Sally Field playing the matriarch Nora Walker. Then you have her two daughters, Kitty (Flockhart) and Sarah (Griffiths) and her three sons, Tommy (Balthazar Getty), Kevin (Matthew Rhys) and Justin (Dave Annable). Of course, each family member has his or her share of problems, just like any family. Patricia Wettig is also a part of the ensemble, portraying Holly Harper the woman who probably has the biggest secret of all...and she isn't even related to the family...not biologically anyway. Emily VanCamp joined the show later in the season, playing a mysterious character, Rebecca...all we knew from the beginning was that she was Holly's daughter. And then you have Rob Lowe who also joined mid-season playing Republican Senator Robert McCallister which is kind of ironic because when he was on The West Wing, he played a Democrat who basically despised the Republicans. Nice change of pace for him though.

All in all, this is a great new series from ABC. I like the fact that it follows my other favorite show Desperate Housewives. If you like DH, chances are you'll like Brothers & Sisters as well.

41 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to the Family August 13, 2007

By T. Stewart VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Somehow over the last couple of seasons ABC has climbs its way up the network latter from the #5 position right to # 1 thanks in part of hits such as "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Lost." Trying desperately to cash in on their success, ABC greenlite over 12 pilots last year including "Ugly Betty" and yes, "Brothers and Sisters." I initially tuned into B&S because it aired directly after "Desperate Housewives" and starred Rachel Griffiths (of "Six Feet Under" fame), but something very interesting happened. Over the course of several weeks I found myself not watching "Desperate Housewives" but never missing a single episode of B&S.

The show (kinda like "Six Feet Under" in some fashions) follows a very weathly/affluent Southern California family as they deal with the death of their patriarch. Over the last decade as the siblings in the family aged from their late teens, to early thirties (and further apart with each year) and thus are almost strangers to one another. But as fate would have it, tragedy strikes and they are forced to bond together, for the first time in decades. Sarah, the oldest, is in charge of continuing the family business despite her brother Tommy working for their father for the better part of a decade. Kitty, forshaking her family for a political career as a democrat after 9/11 (her entire family is republican) comes home in an attempt to smooth-over familial problems, despite not speaking to her mother, Nora, in over 5 years, after she convinced the youngest family member, Justin to join the army in response to the 9/11 attacks; her only alley being the middle brother, Kevin....

The entire first season basically follows the Walker family as they try to move-on with life after the death of their father/husband and the repercussions of the life he lived. Several mysteries are presented surrounding his death including millions missing from corporate accounts, old lovers coming back, and potential bankruptcy for the family. But the family powers through these dramas, and many bonding, bonding themselves back to being as tight-knit (if not more) as they were growing up.

Personally I find this series engaging because while its dramatic, it never takes itself too seriously and allows for several very hilarious episodes to be introduced into the mix of drama. Additionally it takes the series no time at all to get going. While many new shows take 13, sometimes 25 episodes to get their feet wet, `Brothers and Sisters' is off and running almost from the pilot. Included in this DVD is all 23 episodes on 6 discs with Deleted Scenes, Audio Commentary, Interviews with the Cast, Set tour, several futurities, as well as the original pilot episode featuring different actors in many key parts. Read more ›

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Family is Gold September 29, 2007

By Dogville VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

You know what they say, family is gold and home is where the heart should be. That's what you'll get in Brothers and Sisters. Firstly, there's the excellent cast (yes, even the sometimes over-acting and Ally-Mcbeal-ish Calista Flockhart). Secondly, the storyline's really tight. It begins with a boisterous family with so many issues at hand but they remain tight-knitted for many other reasons such as their demised husband and father who happened to be a two-timer with a mistress and illegitimate daughter.

The thing that will keep you riveted to this Emmy-nominated drama is that in every episode, there's plenty of laughter and you'll shed some tears, no doubt.

Ultimately, the show is about family relations, of letting go of the past and keeping on to things that matter now. It's nothing new but with a stellar cast and great storytelling, Brothers and Sisters is sort of like the more stylish and updated version of 7th Heaven.