Rating: 
Summary: Excellent show, but poorly planned DVD for viewing...
Review: I'd been waiting patiently for the release of this DVD. I bought a 5-disc DVD changer in preparation for its arrival. Like the "Sports Night" DVDs, these have "Play All", which is great! However, I was very disappointed to find that you have to take out and flip the discs over in order to watch the shows chronologically.
Rating: 
Summary: Picture and sound quality outstanding
Review: I have an excellent tv set, but for five seasons I've complained that most of the West Wing scenes were lit at very low levels, and much of the time the actors seemed to be walking around in the dark. The DVD version, however, is beautiful! Apparently the episodes were transferred to the DVD medium with loving care, for they are a pleasure to watch.Unfortunately, there is a place or two (at least on disk 1, side 1) where the DVD sticks and skips. Back it goes for a replacement. If I have to wait another year until season 2 is released in the U. S., I may have to move to England. Here's a thought: Can one order a version that's sold in the UK that will play on a U.S. DVD player? Incredible stories and cast. The series deserves the highest praise.
Rating:
Summary: These are worth paying attention to.
Review: I am much of a diehard Republican as the President on West Wing is a diehard Democrat. Even though the show is pretty much a weekly free 60-minute commerical for the Democratic National Party (sure, Sorkin says he puts in some Republican views on issues, but those are few and far between and someone on the show is always pontificating on how awful Republican points of view are), it is the only show I sit down and watch without distraction each week. All other shows I watch, I watch while reading a book or working on the PC or something. Don't do that with this show. If you do, you'll miss some of the best (if not THE best) acting on television. Great acting, great direction, great dialog when they are not bashing Republicans and conservatives, great casting. There is a reason why this show has won so many Emmys. Talent. Loads of it. Watch these DVD's and you will agree.
Rating:
Summary: Double Sided Discs and Non-Widescreen....
Review: Haha.... Are we all going to be subjected to one-star "WHY NO WIDESCREEN?" reviews for the next season release? I can't believe that even with the recent repeats on Bravo that some still failed to notice that seasons one and two were, are, and always will be fullscreen. So if they release these seasons in widescreen, I ain't buying! THE best US TV show I have ever seen. Each episodes stands up well after repeat viewing... several repeat viewings.... heck, Bartlet losing his temper in episode two of season one, to me, is still as powerful to watch today as it was four years ago. The dialogue remains fresh. Every time I rewatch an episode I hear a line I don't recall hearing before. It's a credit to the cast and writer. Double sided discs? Grr, I have enough trouble not scratching the recorded side of standard DVDs. I had hoped these things were in the DVD graveyard by now.
Rating:
Summary: An end to spoon-feeding
Review: The premise, plots, dialogue and execution of each segment offer entertainment on a level unrivalled in the industry. Nothing is spoon-fed to the viewer: you listen to the dialogue as you would a symphony and the cadence seldom slows to accommodate those late to their seats or those who are uninitiated in the genre of Executive politics. Only M*A*S*H offered dialogue this good, and even THAT masterpiece can't touch The West Wing in sophistication. No one watching this series will ever view the genuine article in exactly the same way. Five stars is too few for this quintessentially rewarding series.
Rating:
Summary: Don't wait for a Widescreen version, there isn't one.
Review: I abhor the practice of releasing fullscreen versions of widescreen original releases more than most, but I must challenge a previous reviewer's ire. After some research I've confirmed that the first season of "The West Wing" was shot in 1.33:1 (full screen) aspect ratio and later seasons are in 1.78:1 (widescreen). A 1.78:1 widescreen verison would need to be cropped from the original 1.33:1 full screen version and would lose part of the original image, something that viewers with multiple display formats offered by plasma screens can do already. I recommend being happy with what we have - a faithful copy of the original program. The West Wing is quite simply the best television that I have seen in a several decade of viewing across two continents. You could rent it, or borrow it from a friend, but you'll end up needing to order it anyway!
Rating:
Summary: "West Wing" in fullscreen, and in full bloom
Review: Since a couple of people have made this complaint, I would just like to point out that the first season of "The West Wing" was NOT originally shown in widescreen, as subsequent seasons were. Therefore, there is no reason for it to be in widescreen on the DVD. In fact, if it wasn't shot in widescreen to begin with, it may not even be possible. That said, "The West Wing" is simply one of, if not the most, intelligent shows on television. It has a perfect blend of drama and comedy to make it believable. In my opinion the best part of the show is the depth of the characters and how we really see many sides to them. None of them are caricatures of people we think would have their jobs. You will learn something from every episode you watch, whether it's something about public policy, government structure, social issues, you name it. If you haven't been watching all along, I know it can be daunting to start in the fifth season with the new episodes, so start here with the first season and see what you've been missing.
Rating: 
Summary: The West Wing
Review: Yeah the West Wing is great but don't buy it. WHY? To get the studios to stop releasing FULL SCREEN format or at least get them to release the WIDE SCREEN format. They've done this with so many shows i can't believe it. The West Wing is my favorite show but i won't buy the DVD unless it comes in a WIDESCREEN version.
Rating:
Summary: Why is Season 2 available on UK not USA, Money?
Review: Hi All... Whats up with the Second season being available in the UK and not here in the Good ole US of A? You would think that a show based on our West Wing would release seasons on DVD here first than in other countries. I sure hope its not a dollar issue like getting the same Medications in other countries for way less. Like they thing Americans are Idiots. If you go to Amazon in the UK (at the bottom of this screen) seasons 1 and 2 are selling at like $80.00 US. Considering the US price for season 1 ...it sounds like we are getting ripped... at least from a waiting for it point of view. Figures from a show about US politics...... Go figure........
Rating:
Summary: A Must For West Wing Fans!
Review: Arguably the best drama to come to television in a long time, The West Wing has finally made it to DVD. 4 DVD are in this set which contains all the original 1st season episodes. The one flaw to the package is that the they combined the DVD's into double-sided discs, instead of spreading them out over 6 as is more usually for TV-Series' translations to DVD. The first 3 DVDs contain the 22 episodes, approximately 4 to a side. The 4th DVD has the bonus materials on side one, but is blank on side 2. Overall, a good collection, but take care of your discs when putting them in the player...since both sides need to be readable.
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