Product Details

• Actors: Peter Firth, Richard Armitage, Rupert Penry-Jones, Hermione Norris, Miranda Raison
• Format: Box set, Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, 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: BBC Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: January 26, 2010
• Run Time: 469 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002HWRZTI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,133 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "MI-5, Vol. 7" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With the long-running UK spy series MI-5 entering its seventh season, the question facing fans is will an abbreviated season deliver the same number of thrills as before? Luckily for them, the eight episodes contained in this set are up to the show's standard of high-octane espionage for the small screen. Things get dramatic in a hurry with the death of a major character in the first episode ("New Allegiances"), which forms the backbone of the series' main concern--growing tensions with the Russians. Trouble on this front is further solidified with the appearance of Lucas North (Richard Armitage), an agent who returns to active duty after eight years in a Russian prison. Though Peter Firth's Harry Pearce vouches for North, his loyalties remain one of the burning questions of the season--which comes to a head with Moscow aiming missiles at London, and a classic MI-5 twist in its reveal of a double agent within the team. Brief doesn't always mean bad, as volume 7 proves, and devotees of the series should find plenty of nail-biting moments throughout the four-disc set.

Extras are unfortunately limited as well; producer Katie Swindon provides commentary on the season closer, "Nuclear Strike," on which she's joined by director Sam Miller and writer Neil Cross. Swindon is also featured on a very brief tour of the show's Moscow locations; a half-hour featurette that covers the making of the season provides the greatest amount of behind-the-scenes information. --Paul Gaita

Product Description

MI-5 Volume Seven stays true to form as the award-winning intelligence drama returns for more highly topical stories with new castmember Richard Armitage (Robin Hood, North and South)! The BAFTA- undercover operations and double-agents, this time with an added danger… a deepening schism with Russia raising new Cold War tensions. Newly free after eight years in a Russian prison, Lucas North (Richard Armitage) is welcomed back by MI-5 supremo and old friend Harry Pearce, who was instrumental in finally securing his release. Lucas is keen to get back to work straight away and, with Section D’s current priority operation having a strong Russian connection, he could well prove invaluable. But, after eight years with only a high ranking Russian spymaster for company, can Lucas’s loyalty really be taken for granted?

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 79 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Spooks and Spies...the British edition! September 14, 2009

By Shopper

Format:DVD

MI-5 (or Spooks, its original title) is a long running, award winning British spy series that has enjoyed continued success in Britain and abroad. In the US however, A&E, PBS and BBCA have tried broadcasting the series (seasons 1-4) to universally disappointing ratings. It is no wander though: in order to accommodate commercials, each original episode was mercilessly cut down by a quarter of its running time (from 59 min to 45 min !!!), making it virtually incomprehensible. Thankfully, we have DVD's and can enjoy the series as it was intended! ;o)

Another good news is that Season 7 is the best yet and can be easily followed even without the benefit of the prior six seasons. In episode one we are introduced to a new character, Lucas North, a senior case officer released in a Russian-British spy exchange after eight years in a Russian prison. His story arcs thru entire season 7, though most episodes are self enclosed and deal with subplots relevant to today's viewer. We have nuclear attacks, bank collapse, and the thread of internal espionage (after eight years in Russia, to whom is Lucas really loyal?).

In addition to excellent writing, the series offers inspired casting in lead, supporting and visiting star roles. Mathew Macfayden (Pride and Prejudice), Rupert Penry Jones (Persuasion), Gemma Jones (Bridget Jones Diary), Hugh Laurie (House), Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) are only a few examples. In season 7, the handsome Richard Armitage (Robin Hood, North and South) is Lucas North. It is this actor's charisma as well as the return to Russians as the true and tried "bad guys" that brings new interest to the series.

Interestingly, even though the release date in the US is still uncertain, the set has been available in Australia (Region 4) since April, and will be released in the UK (Region 2) in October. If you want instant gratification (don't we all?), all you need is a region free DVD player.

Enjoy!

BTW: MI-5 is the British Security Service, the equivalent of FBI in the US, I suppose.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars spooky January 29, 2010

By Julia Walker VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

As a long-time time fan of spy flicks and Le Carré novels, I've awaited each new season of MI-5 (Spooks) with mixed anticipation and low dread. Surely, I think, it can't keep up the standard of excellence, both in plotting and production values; surely this season won't be as compelling as last; thus I surely I inoculate myself against disappointment.

And once again I need not have bothered. This season of MI-5 is a nail-bitting as the first, maybe even better. As other reviewers remark, it's not at all necessary to have seen the first 6 seasons to enjoy these episodes. That's one of the many benefits of the ever-changing cast. The other, of course, is realism. In that business, the players don't survive indefinitely. Whether it's casting by choice or by default - several actors have used this as a springboard - the turn-over of the team keeps the plots fresh and keeps silly stuff to a minimum.

In the last several seasons it's been interesting to watch the BBC give us a new global villain: us. The US. In this season, the gloves are really off in several episodes. While the immediate threat is Russia in most of these plots (practically nostalgic for Smiley fans) the driving force of several surprising characters is hatred of America.

Seeing ourselves through British/European eyes is spooky - salutary perhaps, but unsettling. Still, it's carefully done in a series that is amazingly good.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Western Promises January 16, 2010

By Judith Johnson VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Tall, dark and handsome Richard Armitage (North & South) was still filming the final season of Robin Hood: Season Three when he joined the cast of MI-5. Taking up where Viggo Mortensen's character left off in Eastern Promises (Full Screen Edition), RA portrays Lucas North, a MI-5 agent imprisoned in Russia for several years. Swapped for a Russian spy in the first episode, North has sexy prison tattoos *check out Gnothi Seauton* and a burning desire to re-assume his rightful place in the intelligence agency. However, where do Lucas' loyalties really lie?

Tortured by flashbacks of harsh interrogation methods, North's readjustment pains are further heightened by the presence of his Russian former wife who has moved on with her life while he is haunted by the feelings he still harbors for her. RA looks stunning posing as a wealthy banker in a Savile Row tailored blue suit in one episode and when he speaks Russian with his honeyed baritone who needs a translator?

The rest of the MI-5 crew is here: Harry (Peter Firth), Ros (Hermione Norris) , and Adam (Rupert Penry Jones) along with an assortment of operatives, double-agents, handlers, turncoats, etc. Gemma Jones (The Winslow Boy) is outstanding in a cameo appearance. Be warned, however that this type of work is so dangerous that none of the cast is safe from TV death! The story line makes for interesting viewing especially with its Ian Flemingesque Russian location shots and fast paced action.