Deadwood: The Complete Seasons 1-3
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 Complete set of a series that was never completed Why would anyone spend this amount of money to be left hanging at the end because it was never completed? This is like a book with the last several pages missing. HBO never aired the fourth season, and never ended the story line. I can't believe they had the guts to market this incomplete series, and at such a premium price. I enjoyed the original shows, but wouldn't have wasted my time had I known it would never have a closing.  A profound innovation in the American western First, "Deadwood" has the most constantly profane and racist language, and graphic sex and violence I have ever seen on mainstream film. So, those who are offended by material of this nature should not watch. But if you can get past that, "Deadwood" is brilliant. Let me begin by giving an example of the writing. In the following scene, Al Swearengen, Deadwood's ruthless leader, deplores the fact that the self righteous Sheriff, Bullock, is too involved in his adulterous affair with Alma (who controls a rich gold mine) to focus on the political struggles the community is facing in its attempt to be annexed into the United States. Swearengen watches Bullock leave the hotel after being with Alma. One of Swearengen's men remarks that Bullock means no disrespect. Swearengen replies: "Horror is, you are f**kin' right. He don't know if he's breathin' or takin' it through f**kin' gills. He is that f**king c**t-struck. They're afloat. In some fairy f**kin' bubble, lighter than air, him, her snatch, and his stupid f**kin' badge...Self-deceiving c**k-sucker I am, I thought, when America took us in, Bullock would prove a f**kin' resource. Look at him, stridin' out like some randy, maniac Bishop." "Deadwood" is a true western because it is the story of the creation of a community on the frontier. The town of Deadwood was born when gold was discovered in the Black Hills, lands ceded to the Sioux by treaty. All kinds of non-Native Americans, Europeans, and Chinese invaded the area. This action was illegal under the laws of the United States and, of course, considered grounds for war by the Sioux. So, the people who founded Deadwood, of every class, were all true outlaws. And Deadwood had no law but custom and the knife and gun. In three seasons, "Deadwood" tells the story of how the town was founded and ultimately annexed to Dakota Territory. Many of the characters portrayed are based on historical personages. Formost among them is Al Swearengen the "Bloody King of Deadwood," who operated the town's first saloon and bordello. Swearengen is played by Ian McShane. It is the role of McShane's career and he is astounding. As the episodes progress, Swearengen's charachter evolves to amazing complexity, far beyond the simple villain he at first appears. We come to root with guilty pleasure for Swearengen, the murderer and whoremonger, and to admire his cunning as he allies with Bullock and others who attempt to hold their own against even worse and more powerful and morally corrupt forces; Cy Tolliver, the despicable overlord of a competing gambling house, Wolcott, mining engineer, serial killer of prostitutes and agent of the ruthless, implacable mining magnate, George Hearst, and against corrupt and idiotic politicians from Yankton who would deprive Deadwood's founders of political rights of self determination. The thing I enjoyed most about "Deadwood" is the fact that it is brilliantly and blatantly Shakespearian. Scenes of high drama are artfully alternated with comic vignettes. A number of characters actually engage in soliloquies with strange yet understandable sentence structure. It is surprising and pleasing to see how well such scenes work in a western. For example, Swearengen keeps the head of a dead Indian in a box. When he is beset by fools, his lackeys, Swearengen, like Hamlet to Yoric, confides his feelings, questions and stratagems to "The Chief." In one such scene, Swearengen complains to The Chief about one of his men. Swearengen says: "Dead, and without a body, you still outstrip him for intelligence." There are a few pure and good souls represented in this savage work. Calamity Jane, played by Robin Weigert is a true Shakespearian "wise fool." In one of my favorite scenes (it made me laugh and cry) Calamity visits the grave of the murdered Wild Bill Hickock, who she adored. It is her custom each night to tell Wild Bill the news of Deadwood. On this night, she is joined by Charlie Udder, Wild Bill's other closest friend. She allows Charlie to tell Wild Bill the news. But he breaks down. He asks Calamity: "Can I...can I tell `im some more tomorra?" Calamity replies with kindness: "Sure. What the f**k you askin' me for? I don't make the rules." The scene is at once melancholy, hilarious, and profound. And there are many such scenes in this brilliant masterpiece. "Deadwood" is an innovation, in the American western, so profound that it will be studied by many over time. Whether it will ever be matched is an open question. Why would you get this set for $179? This set sells for $179, when you can buy the individual 3 seasons for a total of about $107. From what I read in other reviews there is no added value for this set. Why would anyone pay the extra money? what a combination All of the Deadwood series is must watch. The combination of the last desparate gasps of the 'wild' west with it's coarseness and sense of potential with the victorianesque sensibilities of the newbies coming from the east is fascinating and funny. These are characters whose flaws you can connect with and motivations, even the bad ones, that are completely human and reachable. Add that there are a mix of real people, composites of real people and people there should have been and it's a deep look into the probable reality of the time. The featurettes add a lot to the background knowledge and increase the depth. The one part I don't care for much (and therefore don't watch) is the voice overs by the actors. It really doesn't seem to add much. But I would definitely recommend this series and hope they start producing it again or make a follow on movie. | |||||||||||
