Product Details

• Actors: Jason O'Mara, Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Jonathan Murphy
• Format: Box set, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: French, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: ABC Studios
• DVD Release Date: September 29, 2009
• Run Time: 731 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (158 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001XRLWLU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,741 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Life on Mars: The Complete Series" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Life on Mars wallows in glorious 1970s fashion and music as it follows Sam Tyler (Jason O'Mara), a police detective who gets hit by a car in 2008 and wakes up in the same spot in 1973. The local police precinct, headed by Lieutenant Gene Hunt (Harvey Keitel, who fits seamlessly into the period surroundings), is expecting Tyler, but Tyler doesn't know why or how he's there--or why he's receiving messages from his previous life, as well as mysterious phone calls from the beyond. Life on Mars blends this science-fiction premise with story lines that would fit in some classic '70s cop show, but Tyler's future knowledge (and his past life) are essential to solving every case, even if it features a missing rock star groupie or a murdered newspaper columnist. Many episodes focus on the mystery surrounding Sam, including meeting his own mother, father, and childhood self, as well as tiny robots, strange men on TV screens, and a hippie chick who speaks in ambiguous koans. The supporting cast includes Michael Imperioli (rocking a serious '70s 'stache) and Gretchen Mol (fetching in Farrah Fawcett wings); guest stars range from Wallace Shawn to Gina Gershon to an uncredited Whoopi Goldberg.

It's regrettable that, in adapting the original British version of Life on Mars, the producers replaced its understated focus with swagger and overstatement; a fantastical premise is more persuasive if the moment-to-moment story makes sense--regrettably, the narrative logic here owes as much to 1970s cop shows as does the production design. Everyone twinkles to excess, wooing the audience and undercutting any sense of grit. The cast is a charismatic bunch who don't need to spend so much time with rueful smiles and approving looks. The producers knew they'd been canceled in time to resolve the mysteries in the final episode, which diverges significantly from the British version. Also included are a number of cheerful audio commentaries and featurettes, including a tour of the set with '70s icon Lee Majors. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

From the studio that brought you Lost, comes the groundbreaking series that captured the imaginations of fans from coast to coast. With an irresistible soundtrack and one of the most celebrated casts on television, including Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol and Jason O Mara, Life On Mars is a smart, suspenseful drama with a finish that will blow you away. Its one of those endings I believe will make you watch the series again, says Executive Producer Josh Appelbaum. There s a fine line between delusion and reality. NYPD detective Sam Tyler finds himself walking both sides of that line when he is suddenly hurtled back in time to 1973 after being struck by a car in 2008.

Journey back to the 70s and uncover the secrets of Life On Mars. It s a strange and exhilarating ride raves the New York Times. Plus, with unique and exciting bonus features including an insiders view of where the shows concept began, a six million dollar moment in which 1970s legend Lee Majors steps back into the past with the cast and crew, and much more

Bonus Features Include: Time Warp, The Joint, Getting Their Groove On, Lee Majors Six Million Dollar Man.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

103 of 108 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Put all the Emmy's in a box... April 1, 2009

By John J. Gronkowski

Format:DVD

...and give them to the actors and writers behind Life On Mars. That's my prediction...another case of "posthumous award giving". The observation has been made that the American LOM has been adapted from the British version but I understand that the US production followed the original storyline for a while and then took a few radical turns. Variations on a theme, I guess, but it has been quite a ride. I assumed that they would have to bring this story to a conclusion within a couple of seasons because the premise just couldn't be strung out forever but ABC sure isn't doing it justice or doing us any favors by cutting it short and telling the producers to wrap it up prematurely.

If you didn't love Harvey Keitel before this series then you owe it to yourself to watch all of these episodes. Michael Imperioli absolutely rules as Ray...I swear that I knew this character back in the Seventies...really. Gretchen Mol is just enchanting. Jason O'Mara makes his lost-in-time character so sympathetic that you can't help but worry about where he'll end up in the end.

So long, Life On Mars...it was all too brief but it was wonderful.

81 of 85 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Only the Good Die Young April 3, 2009

By R. S. Richards

Format:DVD

Just like a person who dies at a young age, this show was dropped right as it was hitting its stride. I watched this show from the very first episode and LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. The acting was superb. Michael Imperioli and Harvey Keitel were brilliant, as were Jason O'Mara and
Gretchen Mol. Since I grew up in the 70's, I was amazed at how effective the writers were able to capture that time period. I couldn't wait each week to see what song choices would be selected for each episode. I was
crushed when it was cancelled but have to give credit to the writers for
closing up a very complicated plot in 10 minutes. The ending, while rushed, did answer many questions for a very clever show. I will
certainly buy the DVD to have something decent to watch since network
television cannot keep any quality shows.

55 of 59 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome acting! April 2, 2009

By CJM

Format:DVD

I loved this show when it aired on ABC. I never missed an episode. I laughed many times and was very impressed by how it really looked like 1973. The actors? They looked like they belonged in that era. And though I have never seen the British version, I applaud the Amercan version. Sad to see it go, but I will definitely get the DVDs to watch any time I please. No matter how crammed the ending may seem. I think it tied it all up neatly instead of leaving you hanging as some other shows do.