Prison Break - Season 1 - Complete [2005]

Prison Break is anchored by tight, suspenseful writing clearly relished by the largely little-known cast. Standouts include Robert Knepper as the murderer/pedophile T-Bag, who somehow makes such a despicable character likeable. Stacey Keach of Mike Hammer fame plays the warden-with-a-heart-of-gold, who clashes with Captain Brad Bellick (Wade Williams) over whether to rehabilitate the inmates or makes their lives more miserable. Peter Stormare, famous for his skills with a wood chipper in Fargo, turns in a deliciously menacing performance as mob boss John Abruzzi, while Amaury Nolasco's winsome Fernando Sucre shares a cell and secrets with Miller's Scofield. Watching the show one gets a sense that this is the opening salvo of Wentworth Miller's career, which will doubtless include roles as assassins, detectives, super heroes, and perhaps the champion of staring contests. Midway through the season it's explained that Scofield is a genius with an heightened sensitivity to other peoples' suffering, which sums up what makes the show so great--the mind-bendingly intricate plot is a framework for moments when people make others suffer and cope with the burden of their own suffering.

The six-disc set includes 22 addictive episodes, audio commentary on selected episodes, three featurettes, and alternate and deleted scenes. As with most TV shows on DVD, the "previously on Prison Break" intros can get tiresome, but that's what the fast forward button is for. --Ryan Boudinot

Customer reviews:

Best TV I Have EVER Seen, 2008-06-28
Its not often I bother to write reviews but I have enjoyed Prison Break so much I just have to write to say its the best tv I have ever seen. I was gripped from start to finish, sat on the edge of my seat and glued to the screen. Brilliant casting, superb acting and amazing writers. The plot twists and turns - its full of adventure along with cliff hangers in each and every episode. Its been worth every penny...I am completely hooked and now a huge fan.

Buy It!!, 2008-06-14
Massive fan of 24, and less so of Lost, I was reluctantly persuaded to buy this as something to watch while waiting for 24 season 7 to arrive. The first episode had me so hooked (not just for the wonderful eye candy of the 2 brothers!) for the script, but also wondering how a whole series could be dedicated to breaking out of prison (like all the other reviewers say). However, the show was so addictive, I found myself abandoning the kids, the household chores and everything else to watch the whole lot in one weekend - then immediately had to get both Seasons 2 and 3. This is not something I usually do, prompting me to write this review. Everyone who likes a good story which does make your mind work will enjoy this - though I must say it is without doubt the best of the 3 seasons so far.