Product Details

• Actors: George Dzundza, Chris Noth, Dann Florek, Michael Moriarty, Richard Brooks
• Format: Box set, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 104
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Universal Studios
• DVD Release Date: November 8, 2011
• Run Time: 558 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B005HU0TBI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,445 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

Product Description

The Emmy®-winning series Law & Order is the longest running crime series of all time and you now hold a complete collection worthy of its iconic status. This incredible set includes every powerful hour made from Law & Order's 20 years on NBC and comes with an exclusive and collectible episode guide. For twenty seasons, Dick Wolf's Primetime series covered the dedicated New York City police who investigated crimes and the district attorneys who prosecuted the offenders. Known for its hard-hitting, ripped-from-the-headlines style, the series showcased the talents of numerous illustrious stars from stage, film and television. Rediscover Law & Order's intelligent writing and the riveting acting that inspired a brand of successful dramas that continues to captivate audiences around the globe.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST-HAVE Set for any TRUE-BLUE "Law & Order" Fan! November 9, 2011

By drumbri24

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I pre-ordered this DVD BoxSet as soon as I heard about it's release-approx. 1 month b/f the release date of November 8th (yesyerday). I've purchased all of the "L & O" Season Sets since they began being released in 2002. Up to this point, Seasons 1 theough 8 & Season 14 have been put out. I've read some reviews that were a bit negative regarding this "Complete Series" DVD Set, due to the fact that many Seasons would have to be re-purchased. However, for a fan like myself-a fan that would have bought ALL of the Season DVD Sets-buying "The Complete Series" 20-Season BoxSet for the reasonable price of $450.00 would SAVE me $. & as an added bonus, all of the 20 Seasons are @ my disposal @ once! No more waiting for Universal to release individual Seasons once or twice/year! Now onto the DVD Set itself....1 of the most beautiful & handsome looking DVD Sets that I've ever seen (& DVD collecting is 1 of my biggest hobbies). Each Season is packaged in a 'tray-stack' 5 or 6 disc set, w/ amazing cover artwork! Also, there is a wonderful 46 page Episode Guide Book, all in full color, & printed on heavy-duty, high-gloss quality paper! It is the perfect guide for the DVD Set. Each Season has 2 pages w/ episode synopsis & great photos from the entire run of the show-giving the owner a guide as to what episodes are on what disc, per Season! The picture & sound quality are amazing, & speaking for the 9 Seasons that have already been released (1 through 8 & 14), the pic/sound quality is even better. Seasons 1 through 4 are Full-Screen, & 5 through 20 are Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1 Ratio). I conclude by making this point-for those who think that this is too much $ to shell out @ 1 time--if you plan on buying all of the "L & O" Seasons eventually, you will save a lot of $ by buying this Set, you won't have to wait to own your favorite newer Seasons, & you'll have a beautiful & exclusive book w/an awesome & beautiful BoxSet that a show like "L & O" deserves! This is what will seperate the real fans from the fair-weatherd!

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Disk error but Amazon takes care of its customers. March 1, 2012

By JScott

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Just wanted people to make sure that they check every disk in every season after receiving this if you buy it. Luckily my wife thought to do this and we had two copies of season 15, disk one but didn't have disk two. Being the guy I am, wouldn't have noticed that for quite some time since I look forward to starting the series from the beginning. I figure the chances that I happened to receive the only manufactured error like this was fairly slim so wanted others to be aware. Amazon took car of it in no time and replaced my copy immediately.

65 of 83 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great deal as a whole but... September 14, 2011

By R. T. O. Brien

Format:DVD

Well as it stands right now in late September 2011 the price is $490. Now that works out to $24.5 a season. Not bad but a lot of the ones that are already out go on sale at Best Buy and Barnes & Noble for around $10. Not to mention they are ALWAYS on cable. It's a lot of money in this economy to spend at once.

Secondly, all seasons from 5 onward were filmed in widescreen for HDTVs. Season 14 will NOT be the HDTV airings, but the DVDs that came out at the time, cropped to a 'full screen' ratio, which won't even look right since most people have widescreen TVs now.