Product Details

• Actors: Robert Glenister, Robert Vaughn, Rob Jarvis, Adrian Lester, Marc Warren
• Directors: Bharat Nalluri, Minkie Spiro, Robert Bailey
• Writers: Bharat Nalluri, Ashley Pharoah, Mathew Graham, Tony Jordan
• Producers: Alison Barnett
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC Warner
• DVD Release Date: September 5, 2006
• Run Time: 356 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000FUH350
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,979 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Television > Crime > Hustle

• For more information about "Hustle - Complete Season One" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

• This is item 1 in The Hustle Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

An elaborate con game has a built-in dramatic structure--so it's almost effortless for Hustle to turn a band of con artists into a stylish, charming BBC series. The key to the show is that it's realistic enough to get the audience engaged in the psychology of the swindle, but preposterous enough to be completely entertaining. A team of five--Mickey "Bricks", the charismatic leader (Adrian Lester, Primary Colors); Albert, Mickey's old mentor (Robert Vaughn, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.); Ash, who rigs things up (Robert Glenister, Prime Suspect 4); the drop-dead gorgeous Stacie (Jaime Murray, The Taming of the Shrew); and newcomer Danny (Marc Warren, The Revenger's Tragedy--are cunning crooks with hearts of gold, who routinely turn their skill at fraud to help needy friends. Despite this implausible sentimentality, the show's great pleasure lies in the fallibility of human nature, as mark after mark is led awry by his or her worst impulses, ranging from a brutal casino owner to a predatory art dealer to a vicious ex-cop. The best episodes have double twists that turn the con on its head; the weakest ones rely on devices already made familiar by movies like The Sting. But consistent throughout are entertaining performances by the core cast and delightful freeze-frame sequences in which the details of the cons receive a swift and lucid explanation. All in all, thoroughly fun stuff. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

The art of the con is not dead. You merely can not see it. If you do see it, then it is inevitably always too late. It is an invisible crime built on the premise of finding someone who wants something for nothing and then giving them nothing for something. Choose the mark, reel them in, play on their desires and set them up. It does not matter whether they are black or white, male of female but they must be strictly major league. There are no quick fixes. Patience is truly a virtue in this game. All you have to do is make them believe.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uncut Versions, September 5, 2006

By	B. Cromer (New York City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just to reassure everyone the US release includes the full versions as aired on BBC.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm Not Conning You--"Hustle" Is So Much Fun, It's Almost Criminal, December 5, 2006

By	K. Harris "Film aficionado" (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"Hustle" is a breezy, lightweight treat from BBC America. Originally broadcast in the States on AMC, the series follows a group of con artists as they stage one elaborate setup after another. London is their playground, and these pros are in for the "long con" to make a fortune from each episode's caper. Their "mark," in each case, is generally undone by his/her own failings or misdeeds for our group has distinct ethics--they only target people who deserve it. That's certainly a pleasant notion. It keeps things frothy and fun--and keeps anyone from viewing the protagonists as villains and criminals (which, in truth, they are).

"Hustle" succeeds by having a talented and appealing cast. Not only do you like everyone, you root for them. Robert Vaughn is the show's biggest name, and here he plays the mastermind who often lures the victims to their eventual undoing. Adrian Lester is the group's leader, a legendary con man recently released from prison. Marc Warren provides much of the comedic relief as Danny Blue--a young, irreverent newcomer who challenges and frustrates the others. The funniest moments generally involve Lester and Warren going head-to-head, each always trying to outdo the other. The team is rounded out by Jaime Murray (the bombshell) and Robert Glenister (the tech expert).

The tone of "Hustle" is light and the pace is fast. It is easy to enjoy the antics within the program and to be amused by the scenarios. The cons themselves, however, are fairly familiar territory for those who follow this type of entertainment. While I was entertained consistently, I was rarely surprised. And while this may sound like a large problem, it's not. This show is more about the journey--and with witty, intelligent scripts and a spot-on cast, it's hard for me to imagine anyone not being engaged and entertained by "Hustle."

Each season consists of six episodes, some more effective than others--but not a loser in the bunch. My personal favorite comes from season 2. In it, Lester and Warren take on a personal competition. They are both dropped naked in the middle of London and then each strives to win by ending up the day with more of value. Once and for all, they want to determine who has more skill. This was a very funny episode and the only one that didn't deal specifically with a con.

Recommended as a lark--good for lovers of comedy and capers. "Hustle" may not be particularly edgy or challenging, it's just fun. KGHarris, 12/06.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ed Mann - Chicago, July 12, 2006

By	Edwin H. Mann (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is as good as it gets on TV. The acting is tops, the plot line is always a surprise, and the editing can't be beat. In the final analysis, the con is on the viewer since it is difficult, if not impossible to anticipate the conclusion. I'm enjoying the 3rd season currently and will love the replay of the 1st season on the arrival of my DVD's. I can't wait to order the 2nd season DVD's when available.