Rating: 
Summary: MANN GREATNESS
Review: Every now and then TV gets it right and CRIME STORY is in that column. This epic was actually misplaced on the small screen: it could have revived serials with weekly theatre runs. The scaled down visuals and details were too limited to do the show justice. Had cable been in 1986 what it is now, CRIME STORY would certainly have had a different look (i.e, THE SHIELD being the most obvious) and probably played even more brutal than it had. Dennis Farina sets his own mark, but Lee Marvin's M-SQUAD Lt. Frank Ballinger, had to be in his subconscious (although Farina chewed his own share of real life Chi-Town cement with the CPD). Before self destructing at the mid point of Season 2, CRIME STORY was a joy. It was even more appreciated when Mann got to bring it full circle in 1995 with his masterwork, HEAT. Vincent Hanna and Mike Torello seperated at birth?
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Summary: Crime Story Season One
Review: Great first season! All episodes are gritty and very realistic. Only thing better would be the release of Season Two! Is the Season Two release anywhere in the future?
Rating:
Summary: Specs are slightly misleading; one concern
Review: I am a huge fan of Crime Story, Season One (the second season was a tremendous disappointment) and I cannot wait for this DVD to hit the streets tomorrow. I wanted to clarify something from the Product Details, specifically the line "Contains all 22 episodes and the pilot." That sounds like there are 23 episodes including the pilot, right? Unless there are some secret episodes I don't know about, there were only 20 episodes, including the pilot. There was a recap episode with minimal new material that aired on cable (USA?), and if you count the pilot as two episodes (it was two hours), that brings the total up to 22. So the Product Details are technically correct, but slightly misleading.It's a GREAT show and I highly recommend it. My one concern is whether or not it contains the period songs that were originally included in the sound track (the DVD release of Wiseguy Season 1 does not). The recent broadcast of Crime Story on A&E did not have these songs and it hurt the show in my opinion. Those who have never seen it might not even notice, but those of us who are big fans will be sorely disappointed. My rating of 5 stars is based on the assumption that the songs are included.
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Summary: This Box Set is Great!!!!!!!
Review: I don't know what you people are thinking when you say the picture quality and sound/songs are lacking. Who needs actors commentary etc......Can't wait until season 2 comes out!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Fans of CS, Beware
Review: I had been hoping that the DVD release of Crime Story would finally bring fans of the show a "definitive" release of this classic series. However, after borrowing the set from a friend (I did not shell out the $60, thank goodness) I was VERY disappointed in both the poor quality of the transfers (some of my original VHS copies look better!) and the replacement of the original music on many of the shows. I do not know if this was merely an error (using the wrong masters) or cheapness (going by the rest of the packaging and the mastering, it wouldn't surprise me) but this set is far from "definitive". I'll hold on to my old VHS copies (as beat to hell as they are) and continue to wait for SOMEONE to treat these shows with the care they deserve. Meanwhile, anyone that is new to the show, you could pick this set up - the acting will stand up on its' own - but the overall quality and soundtrack mastering mistakes will prevent one from getting the exhilirating viewing experience of the original shows as they aired. Also - as a long-time fan of the show since it originally aired - don't even bother with season two. In fact, cut your losses and stop watching after the next-to-last episode ("Top Of The World"). Everything after that is a mere cartoon charictarization and pale shadow of what came before it. The second season lost most of the orignal writers (and is an outright abomination), but that does not excuse the poorly-written "season finale" of season one (which plays out like it was written on a matchbook cover during lunch), especially following the excellent episode that preceeded it.
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Summary: Outstanding crime series !
Review: I had never seen this show before, although i'm aware it was broadcast over here(UK)in the early 1990's on late night TV.
Having read the reviews on Amazon, i thought i'd buy it, despite the comments about transfer quality etc. I must say, having now seen it,that these comments, for me, have not spoiled my enjoyment of this landmark show in any way!
This is a must buy for anyone who is interested in quality TV.The arc style format(similar to Wiseguy)allows for real depth of character writing and if you have'nt seen it before you're in for a real treat. Quite simply one of the best crime genre shows ever.
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Summary: Dreadful transfer for a brilliant series
Review: I love Crime Story. I watched every episode during its original release (a large statement, since I almost never follow a TV series) and five or six years ago, I bought on VHS the complete series. The fact that I have now purchased this DVD set says a great deal about my respect for the plot, the actors, the director, and just about everyone involved. But the transfer to DVD is shockingly bad. Apart from the image quality, which is a standard TV grain, they have replaced much of the original music. This is most dramatic in episode four, "The War," which used to have John Coltrane and Duke Ellington playing their classic, meditative version of "In a Sentimental Mood" and now features a studio saxophonist playing music that, at best, would be appropriate for a meaningless hot tub encounter. The four-page booklet inside does not track the episodes--the only way to know what's included on each disk is to insert the DVD and check the menu--nor do the episodes include any chapter breaks. Given what's possible now, this packaging is genuinely third rate. This set is not as disappointing as the cancellation of the show, but it's close.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic Show, buy it USED ONLY!
Review: I LOVED this show when it first aired. Made sure to be home every time it was on, so it was with much anticipation I waited for this to be released. I liked the design of the box and the dvd's themselves but there were things missing. Episode details and In the booklet and on the box I was surprised to find there was no mention of one actor who had a recurring role in the series namely Andrew Dice Clay. Some actors who were in 1 episode only (Ving Rhames) were listed but Clay who in my opinion showed at that time he could really act was left off. Did he piss someone off or was it and oversight? Chapter Breaks. I do not understand this. I found this out when I wanted to go back to a couple of scenes to clarify something I missed. But I could not. I had to hold the rewind button for a while to find what I wanted. I found that annoying. There were some scenes where the lines seem to be replaced and is not actually what the actors were saying. I still enjoy the series very much it is just classic. I was curious about the second season but I have read one review about it here and I have my doubts about getting it now (especially if it is produced by this company) and if so it will not be at the new price and I will wait to read the reviews of it.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!
Review: I remembered loving the series when it first aired in the '80's. If you're a lover of Mob movies, like me, you won't be disappointed! The series is based in 1963 Chicago, and the sets, costumes, etc... are excellent. Just seeing all those vintage cars is worth the price of the collection alone! Made in Serial format (each episode is a continuation of the previous), I was hooked again, and watched all 22 hours in 4 days. Can't wait for the 2nd season!
Rating:
Summary: Great Collection
Review: I think that those of you complaining about this set are nuts; this is an excellent set. The transfers look fine for me (the show always had dark, saturated colors; it's supposed to be color noir). And I haven't noticed any songs missing. Perhaps you're thinking of the syndicated repeats? The pilot featured "Stand by Me," and I've noted several other hit tunes. If any are missing, they must be very few. Musically, this is a much better--and more respectful to the fans--set than WISEGUY Season One, which criminally omitted "Nights in White Satin," that show's signature tune. I'd also like to point out that this set includes an episode which does not appear on the Star Maker set: it's a flashback/clip show recounting the first 8 or 9 episodes, with 15 minutes of original scenes tacked on at the end. My only complaints with this set are: 1)like WISEGUY, tehre are no chapter selections within the individual episodes; and 2) unlike WISEGUY, tehre are no extras. Very reasonably priced, and I can't wait for the second season.
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