Customer Reviews

The West Wing: The Complete Series Collection

5 star:		(277)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

The West Wing is by far the best television series I've ever seen. 5 stars for that. However this set, although nice to look at, has too many flaws for me to recommend it very highly. 3 stars for this set.

My main gripe is that there are no English subtitles. Why not? There is plenty of space on the disks and subtitles don't take up that much. The gain would be far greater than the cost!

I often have to rewind episodes three or four times to catch a phrase that I can't quite make out hearing the first or second time. There is often so much background noise (sirens, crouds, music, etc) that one can't make out all the brilliant dialogue by only listening to the audio.

The UK editions have English subtitles, so why can't the American versions?

Another gripe is the packaging. While it is very nice to look at on the shelf, cleverly designed with file folders holding each season, it is impractical and scratches the disks! The folders are hard cardboard and the slits (not even lined with felt or soft material) are so narrow you have to really press the disks in, damaging and scratching them up!

The UK boxed set uses 22 slimline DVD cases, holding two discs each, all packaged within season-by-season slip cases.

If your DVD player can play European DVD's, I recommend paying a little extra and ordering the UK version instead: ASIN B000I8OC08 on Amazon.co.uk. It has the same 21+ hours of extras this set has so you won't be missing anything except the booklet and script, which frankly doesn't add much value.

EDIT: As somebody kindly pointed out in the comments, seasons 1-5 have subtitles. Only seasons 6 & 7 are without English subs. Also, if you do consider buying the UK edition, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A REGION FREE DVD PLAYER, or that your player can play European DVD's. Read the comments to this review for tips on how to check your player. Thanks for voting and commenting! :)

There is no question in my mind the "The West Wing" was one of the greatest drama series on television ever. And if you've been holding out on buying the DVDs until this box set was released then I would suggest you part with some cash immediately. The issue for a lot of people reading these reviews, however, is going to be whether or not they are going to want to replace individual box sets with this release. I'm not going to suggest to you what the best move is, although in the next few days you're going to see my box sets on sale, but this is really a decision on whether or not you want a beautifully packaged set. That is what this is. The 'leather' folder the disks come in is perfect in terms of design for this series. The two 'books' that the set contains are glossy, and the pictures are beautiful. It is also a welcome change to see seasons 1 to 4 discs one -sided as opposed to the previous release. The individual folders that the disks here come in are sturdy enough and again well designed. However, I can't spot any additional extras on the discs. The foreward by Aaron Sorkin also isn't new - it's taken from the first Scriptbook that was released. So if you are a Wingnut, chances are you've seen everything here before and as I said it really comes down to the packaging and the fact that you were going to buy Season 7 anyway so why not splurge on this. I'm giving it 4 stars as opposed to 5 because I can't quite forgive the makers for Season 5 and also because it would have been nice of them to include something extra for the Wingnuts here considering it is us who are really going to be purchasing this set.

Wow, what a joy it was to actually get my hands on this wonderful series.
It is everything I thought it would be, except that after season four, English subtitles are no more. Being a hearing impaired person, I was very very disappointed to find this out. The booklet never said...interestly the Individual box sets have English sub titles...So, If you're hearing impaired or deaf, buy the box set individually....it is a good series thought...

I remember very distinctly the revelatory feeling I had back in the Fall of '99 as I tuned in to this much-ballyhooed series from some guy named Aaron Sorkin, who had previously worked on a show I'd never watched (Sports Night) and a couple of movies I'd never seen (The American President, A Few Good Men). It took mere minutes for me to realize that this Sorkin guy was the real deal.

In rapid-fire succession we were introduced to Sam Seaborne (Rob Lowe), Leo McGarry (John Spencer), CJ Cregg (Allison Janney), Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), and Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), the senior staff of a fictional presidential administration, along with the equally-rapid-fire walk-and-talk style that became the series' hallmark under director/executive producer Thomas Schlamme.

By the time that first episode ended, with its closing minutes serving as our first introduction to President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen), intoning "I am the Lord thy God..." with his trademark twinkle, I was hooked. Somehow Sorkin, assisted ably by his journeyman cast of famous and familiar faces, had managed to make me care about a show I had no business caring about. Those first few seasons were about as perfect a collective of television episodes as has ever been produced. Ever. And they have the raft of Emmys (24) to prove it.

It's truly a testament to the bravura power of creator Sorkin that he was able to create characters of such lasting vividity that three years after his exit that initial fondness diminished not one iota, not even through cast departures bitter (Lowe's salary-dispute led to his exit in year four) and sudden (Spencer's death by heart attack).

Looking back at real-life events of the past six years, from 9/11 to Afghanistan to Iraq, from rendition to torture to domestic spying, it was always reassuring to cast a wistful eye towards The West Wing, and imagine a White House where intelligence prevailed over belligerence, and what was right was more important than what was expedient. It made us believe that public service was something honorable. Maybe it was misguided idealism, but idealism is something I think we place too low a premium on. The West Wing made us believe in idealism as a trait that's worth having.

And so, as he heads off to the Valhalla of syndicated immortality, let us stop to bid a hearty hail and farewell to Jed Bartlet, the greatest president we never had.

The faux-leather attache case contains the entire series on forty-five discs, plus the complete pilot script written by the man himself. Whether you followed the show for the duration of its run or haven't yet had the pleasure, there's never been a better way to own one of the greatest shows in TV history than in this gorgeous box.

I think this set has a few advantages that will make it an essential part of many collections. First off, it's a visually beautiful DVD set. From the single picture, I can see that a lot of thought was put into the packaging. This makes the set stand out far above the standard cardboard flip books that make up most sets.
Next up, it'll make a great set to give to people as a Christmas gift. Now I know that many DVD sets are given out each year, but this is different. It can be argued that the entire series was created and maintained with one goal in mind..... to raise the level of public debate, and to educate our society in the workings of the government. THAT makes this a set that I can't wait to buy, and lend out to younger adults. These kids will one day be our leaders, and even if they don't agree with the politics of the series, they could gain a thirst for serving the people.
Also, as other members in the "club" of faithful fans can understand, the money is a small price to pay for a complete set of this wonderful series. It's not just the politics, but the characters brought to life by a perfect combination of talent. This series was more than something to talk about over the water cooler, it changed lives. For me, they became like members of my family. I have many goals to accomplish in my 70ish years on this earth, one is to sit down and meet Richard Schiff. This series will show you why.

I LOVE the show, and hence I had a friend to buy it from me, and deliver it across the ocean. However, there are a few things about this collection that disappointed me.

As what were pointed out by some other reviewers:

1. While the packaging looks great - it doesn't protect the DVD from being scratched. It's so bad, that I am afraid of taking the DVD out of the sleeve. I'm contemplating getting a separate case for the DVDs, but if that happens, what am I going to do with this fabulous box?! Just for showing off?!

2. No English subtitle! Why?! And I thought all DVDs from the US will at the very least, provide subtitle for the hearing-impaired folks!

3. I am not sure if any of you noticed, but the Pilot Script book that I got in the package had a printing error. Page 15 of the book should be on section 12, but instead it printed section 33 which is repeated from page 47. I want my original page 15!!

It doesn't get any better for fans of the show. I remember rushing home on Wednesday nights so I wouldn't miss a second of it. And NO commercials!!! Say Amen, somebody! I purposely didn't buy any individual seasons because I knew they would come out with something like this amazing package. Buying it here on Amazon saves you a lot of money, rather than buying it from a store. It's too bad they cancelled this show - I can think of a dozen directions they could have continued on and it makes me sad seeing John Spencer again, but he lives on through this compilation.

I ordered this set on a great Gold Box deal, $100 for the entire series. I got it, started watching, and was immediately hooked. It's a good thing I can plow though a disc a night, because I wouldn't have noticed that the occasional skipping would be prevalent throughout the series, due to SCRATCHING FROM THE DVD INSERT CASES! Each season from the series comes in its own trifold thin cardboard 'folder', and the individual discs are inserted into disc slots in the folder. The slots are made of the same plain basic flimsy cardstock of the folders, with no soft backing whatsoever.

I noticed this would be a real problem when I finally came to a brand new disc that refused to play. I tried it in three different players, each to the same effect. So, I returned it.

I would only buy this from Amazon.com, so you have the ability to send it back if you have a problem with any of the discs. If you get a good copy, I would strongly consider housing the DVD's in a separate DVD case. I love the packaging look, but having my discs play later is more important to me.

I'm 61 years of age. As a child I watched the very birth of Television. I've seen all the classic TV Series'. The Series of The West Wing created and largely written by Aaron Sorkin is the best of them all. My family has dubbed me as a hopeless Churchillian. Indeed I am!! I am also a hopeless West Wing addict. A fine Vodka or fine Scotch along with an episode of the West Wing and I'm in Heaven. I can recite the lines before they are spoken. If I could rate 6 Stars I would!!
The writing throughout is excellent. Even when Sorkin leaves, the quality is maintained. The acting is beyond reproach. Each casting member is ideal to their respective scenarios. In all, we will learn how our government operates. Even if you are a Republican you can identify with your Party and be proud. This is indeed a slant of a Liberal President, however it is written to see both sides of the political spectrum.
The Series lasted for 154 episodes and Seven Seasons. The major players are really too long to list. My favorites are Alan Alda, Dule Hill, Allison Janney, Robert Lowe, Janel Maloney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Jimmy Smits and of course Martin Sheen.
My all-time top ten favorite episodes in order of the very best are:
1. In Excelsis Deo
2. Two Cathedrals
3. Holy Night
4. 20 Hours in America
5. The Two Bartlets
6. Mr. Willis of Ohio
7. Lord John Marbury
8. The Long Goodbye
9. Twenty Five
10. The Supremes
In all we find drama, comedy and educational thought into the very essence of American political behavior. Please do purchase this complete Series, you will not be disappointed.

I'm so happy I didn't buy any of the individual season box sets, 'cause while this is 200 bucks, it is totally worth it. If you figure that's about $4.50 per disc. The west wing is one of the best dramas ever, if not the best. It ran for seven strong seasons, including three after creator Aaron Sorkin left the show. Even in those three seasons it was better than any other drama on TV, and at the end of the seventh season, after they knew they were going to be cancelled, the writers tore out all the stops and did everything they wanted to do by the time the show ended in about 6 episodes. Besides which, this box set is about the coolest looking set put out on DVD ever. Very excited about this. Already saving to buy it.