Product Details

• Actors: Peter Firth
• Format: Box set, Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 5
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC
• DVD Release Date: January 20, 2009
• Run Time: 586 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001EHF3RS
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,191 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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• This is item 6 in The MI-5 Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Changes are afoot for both the BBC spy series MI-5 and the team of agents it revolves around in this sixth season of action and intrigue. Its sixth season marks the first time a season followed a single story arc; in this case, the agency seeks to ease tensions between the governments of Iran, Britain and the United States after the latter convinces Britain to conduct an air strike on an alleged chemical weapons train bound for Tehran. The show's strident anti-American tone also seems to have been toned down in favor of straight-ahead espionage, which is a welcome departure from previous seasons. And while the personal lives of the agents seem to have been back burnered this time around, viewers will still find plenty to keep their pulses racing, from a plague outbreak in London, bomb blasts and multiple assassinations to a cliffhanger conclusion that puts the lives of agents Adam (Rupert Penry-Jones) and Jo (Miranda Raison) in jeopardy. The change in story structure is a refreshing change of pace for MI-5, and boosts the suspense level in each individual episode; as usual, some of the story elements require some leaps of faith on the viewer's part, but as a whole, Volume 6 is a worthwhile addition to the show's canon.

Extras include commentaries by the production team on the first two episodes, as well as interviews with cast members Penry-Jones, Raison, Hermoine Norris and Peter Firth; Raison also gets her own separate video diary, which takes fans along for a peek behind the scenes of the show. A longer making-of featurette provides even more backstage glimpses, and a brace of sixth-season promos round out the special features. American viewers should know that the episodes presented here are uncut and include the ten or so minutes trimmed from Stateside broadcasts to accommodate commercials. --Paul Gaita

Product Description
he award-winning, edge-of-your-seat spy drama is back with another white-knuckle ride through the perilous world of deadly terrorists, international cover-ups and treacherous double-agents. Having survived the bombing of the Thames Barrier, Adam and Ros recover to find London facing an even greater threat. While attempting to thwart an attack that could jeopardise a historic peace accord between Britain and Iran, the team unwittingly unleash a deadly killer. But with a virus that mimics the pneumonic plague, there can be no negotiation. And when Zaf is kidnapped by armed mercenaries, the team realise that in a game of the highest stakes they hold none of the cards. As the stuff of nightmares becomes increasingly real, London faces total devastation...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art Thomas, Luzerne, MI, February 18, 2009

By	T. A. Buhr (Luzerne, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Maybe The Best Ten Hours of Spy TV I Have Ever Seen!!! (Maybe the best TV of ANY GENRE!)

I have watched every episode of MI5 available through DVD - the only way U.S. viewers should do it in order to get the whole story. Season Six was riveting beyond any TV experience, including 24, which I have ever seen for this type of show. It was hard to stop watching, and a couple of nights I stayed up way later than I should have because I had to find out what happened next. Every episode flowed into the next to make what, in effect, was a ten hour movie.

One of the major factors that make MI5 so exciting, and probably somewhat real, is that no one, no one, is safe. They may not all die, but the "service" can take its toll in so many ways.

This can be very heartbreaking because another aspect of MI5 that makes it special is the characters. We come to identify and appreciate these folks because they are humanized more than is usually seen in these types of series - warts and all! Far from shining heroes in all their affairs, these spooks make all kinds of mistakes both on and off the job, they lie, cheat, steal, behave badly and come apart at the seams as the stress eats away at their psyches. In other words, they're just like you and me, only with a much tougher job description.

As a result, these all-too-human secret agents don't always win. They get played all the time, especially by other intelligent groups who are supposed to be allies. It is truly a looking glass world. Indeed, this is a major theme of Season Six.

Sadly, as mentioned in other reviews, the relentless action and intrigue pushes the private lives of Adam, Harry, Ross, Jo and others to the side. Unlike earlier seasons, there isn't a lot of down time. They may need to get back to that in future seasons or they risk losing a vital element.

As an American, I am interested in seeing my country through the eyes of others. At first, it came as a surprise to see the anti-American thread in the show, but as the legacy of Bush-Cheney has rolled out over this decade can anyone really be surprised by this? Season Six makes sure we don't miss that point. The season finale, involving two agents facing long torture and horrible death, virtually editorializes this as one of them, not surprisingly, loses their mettle faced with the terror. Despite the agitprop - I agree but it was facile - this was a powerful moment.

This is great television, start with Season One and sleep when you can.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget the Price: Review the Show, February 14, 2009

By	Patrick Cronin (Johnson City, Tennessee, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was looking for TV Shows on DVD when I saw the 3 star average for MI 5 and just had to comment. The negative reviews are about price and while I understand that as a legit observation in a review, it isn't the fault of the creative team....actors, directors, writers....of one of the best shows ever for TV (The Wire and The Shield being the "others") that the "money folk" put a high price on the product. I just saw Equus in New York with Daniel Radcliffe and paid 250 dollars for two tkts and it was wonderful! Worth 250 dollars? In a fair and just world probably not but that again is not the aesthetic fault of the production. So those of you who are new to MI 5... and yes Spooks is better and cheaper if you have an R 2 system....don't be mislead by the talk about price. TV doesn't get any better than this. So don't spend money on "blockbuster" drivel and save your money for MI 5

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Season Yet, February 8, 2009

By	NYC critic "Mac" (NEW YORK, NEW YORK United States) - See all my reviews

When I came to write a review, I was stunned to see the season only rated 3 stars from viewers--until I realized that the low rating was a result of people complaining about the price, not the show. Yes, the set is pricey, but the purpose here is to review the PROGRAM. And in my opinion, this was the tightest, most engaging season yet. Superb writing, heinous villains, a couple of complete surprises, and a great cliff-hanger. Instead of spending my money on most of the junk currently playing in the cinemas, this is much more rewarding entertainment. (And there are no cell phones ringing, noisy children, or candy munchers to contend with!)

PS Where can we start the Hermione Norris fan club? :)