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Boston Legal - Season One
List Price: $49.98Our Price: $37.99 You Save: $11.99 (24%)Prices subject to change.
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
EAN: 0024543241133
Format: Box set, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Item Dimensions: 75
Label: 20th Century Fox
Languages: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.1English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.1French (Dubbed),
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
MPN: 2234113
Number Of Items: 5
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Region Code: 1
Release Date: May 23, 2006
Running Time: 739 minutes
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Theatrical Release Date: October 03, 2004
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Editorial Review:
Led by an Emmy Award-winning cast (James Spader William Shatner and Candice Bergen) "Boston Legal" tells the professional and personal stories of a group of brilliant but often emotionally challenged attorneys. Fast-paced and darkly comedic the series confronts social and moral issues while its characters continually stretch the boundaries of the law. This five-disc set contains episodes from Season 1. Episodes: Disc 1: Head Cases Still Crazy After All These Years Catch and Release Change of CourseDisc 2: An Eye for an Eye Truth Be Told Questionable Characters Loose LipsDisc 3: A Greater Good Hired Guns Schmidt Happens From Whence We CameDisc 4: It Girls and Beyond Til We Meat Again Tortured Souls Let Sales RingDisc 5: Death Be Not ProudSystem Requirements:Running Time: 739 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 024543241133 Manufacturer No: 2234113
The classic combination of James Spader and William Shatner is just one of many reasons to savor the inaugural 17-episode season of Boston Legal. Making its highly rated ABC debut on October 3, 2004, this darkly comedic spinoff from The Practice looked like a formulaic reworking of creator David E. Kelley's previously successful series Ally McBeal, with similar plots and quirky characters enmeshed in personal and professional affairs of the heart at the prestigious Boston law firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. It quickly became apparent that Kelley, co-executive producer Bill D'Elia, and the show's magnificent ensemble cast were onto something equally fresh, funny, and infectiously entertaining. 
Red Carpet Video: The Boston Legal
cast gives Amazon.com some behind-the-scenes scoop
and recommends their favorite DVDs and music.
High |Low | Both Shatner and Spader won Emmys for their original roles on The Practice, and the priceless pairing of the erratic, egomaniacal senior partner Denny Crane (Shatner, doing the best work of his career) and ethically challenged attorney Alan Shore (Spader, likewise) signaled the arrival of one of the finest comedic duos in TV history. Waging a two-man war on political correctness, the boisterous has-been Denny loves the sound of his own name (the mere mention of "Denny Crane" qualifies as ego-stroking foreplay), unabashedly subjects female associates to his lascivious advances, and (in creator Kelley's words) "trades on the currency of his reputation" as an undefeated trial attorney. As the show's fascinating heart and soul, Alan Shore is a walking contradiction, and Spader plays him perfectly as a charismatic, self-loathing lothario who'll bend the law to suit his higher purposes. Deeply cynical yet fiercely committed to his own complex and compassionate moral code, he's brazenly open about his sexual appetites as he savors the affections of smart, sexy associates Sally Heep (Lake Bell), and Tara Wilson (Rhona Mitra), whose relationship with Shore grows strained as the season progresses.
While senior partner Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois), senior associate and ex-Marine Brad Chase (Mark Valley), and junior associate Lori Colson (Monica Potter) struggle to maintain the firm's lofty reputation, the appearance of founding partner Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) elevates Boston Legal to an even higher plane of serio-comic perfection. A former flame of Denny Crane's, Schmidt arrives in episode 11 (appropriately titled "Schmidt Happens") as common-sense negotiator with a rapier wit and a clanking pair of big brass cojones, fully capable of holding her own against the Crane/Shore juggernaut. And while "An Eye for an Eye" (episode 5) is a sublime example of Boston Legal's deft combination of lunacy and courtroom complexity, it's the deeper implications of episodes like "Tortured Souls" (15) and season finale "Death Be Not Proud" (tackling a dubious death sentence in Texas) that cast these rich and wonderful characters into sharper relief, baring their souls and the courage of their convictions.
With surprising departures (Lake Bell, in episode 13), new arrivals (Kerry Washington, as new associate Chelina Hall, in episode 15) and stellar guest stars including Larry Miller (as the eccentrically unstable founding partner Edwin Poole), Philip Baker Hall, Frances Fisher, Carl Reiner, Freddie Prinze Jr., Shelley Long, and late-season regular Betty White, Boston Legal gained a large and loyal following with exceptional writing, timely social relevance, and that rare quality of chemistry that guarantees long-term appeal. Nowhere is this more apparent than the now-famous Spader/Shatner "balcony scenes" that quickly became an episode-closing tradition, with staunch Republican Denny Crane and passionate Democrat Alan Shore reflecting upon their careers, current issues, and their own devoted friendship over brandy and cigars. With these two actors together, virtually every episode ends on a high note of pensive introspection, and Boston Legal becomes even greater than the sum of its parts. DVD extras are minimal (two featurettes with cast and producers, plus deleted scenes from episode 1) but enjoyably worthwhile. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Right wing propaganda
We purchased this series on DVD because of all of the glowing reviews we had seen here. I gave it three stars because there can be little doubt that sometimes the acting, directing and writing are brilliant. In fact they are so brilliant we did not see the propaganda that was being transmitted so smoothly on the series. If one watches it with discernment, one will see the entire litany of the radical right wing beliefs being promulgated by the Faux News Network. To avoid giving away any spoilers ... Read More
Rating:  - Fun and thought provoking
David E. Kelley is able to inject humor and entertainment into would be tragic legal cases. He tackles sensitive issues such as the environment, the healthcare system, a corrupt legal system. He is able to cut through the denial that our culture has and open it up to the light.
Everything that DEK produces is an excellent product. I love that he sets the show with proper Boston as his back drop. This is an excellent show and well worth the purchase.
Rating: - Court of the Absurd
What started out as a good show evolved into a political forum for the far left. In addition, characters are routinely seen drinking tumblers of scotch. The office of this law firm would be 'gold mine' for AA.
Rating: - Denny Crane!
I was initially "turned on to" "Boston Legal" around season three or four, and immediately fell in love with it. I couldn't get enough of Alan Shore's (James Spader) biting sarcasm, borderline sexual harassment, and hilarious banter. Furthermore, the character of Denny Crane (William Shatner) always left me curious as to his fall from grace, as Alzheimer's slowly and gradually robs him of his legal genius, replacing it with hilarious eccentricities that never cease to amuse me. I had many questions ... Read More
Rating: - "I Love Solitude... Mostly in a Relationship"
The above quote from this amazing show is a true testament to David E. Kelley's brilliance. Now, I have not seen The Practice, Picket Fences, or Ally Mcbeal, so I am without prejudice, and I must say that I am very impressed.
James Spader, who plays Alan Shore, is the most interesting lead character in a decade, and plays the part to perfection. Alan is lonely, troubled, yet hides it with charisma and lewd comments. Spader is the perfect fit, and really brings out the best in his character. ... Read More
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