Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2634 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-11-24
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French, Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, Polish, Czech
• Dubbed in: French
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 780 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Sopranos is more than just a suburban Godfather, it's a modern-day I, Claudius with all the consanguineous conflict of the Caesars translated to New Jersey. At the beginning of the third series--just as brilliant and compelling as the first two--the Soprano clan are under close surveillance from the FBI; but, as ever, that's the least of their problems. Anthony Jnr is getting into trouble at school, Meadow's romantic liaisons at college are a cause of friction, Carmela is having a crisis of conscience and Tony trades one dangerously neurotic mistress for another. Livia's death does nothing to help Tony's psychological problems, and his relationship with therapist Dr Melfi is increasingly strained, especially after she undergoes a shocking ordeal of her own.

There's tension in Tony's other "family", too, as Christopher finally gets made but then chafes at the extra responsibility, much to Paulie's disgust. In one magnificent episode (directed by Steve Buscemi) the two become stranded in the snow-filled woods overnight where all their mutual resentment boils over even as they both freeze. But Tony's real problems emerge from the Aprile family: Jackie Jnr is becoming a dangerous loose cannon, actively encouraged by his borderline psychotic stepfather Ralphie (a marvellous Joe Pantoliano), whose erratic behaviour threatens to ignite a deadly feud ("He disrespected the Bing", says Tony after punching him). When Jackie Jnr and Meadow become an item, both of Tony's dysfunctional families collide with devastating consequences.

On the DVD: The Sopranos, Series 3 arrives in a neat fold-out four-disc set, with four episodes on a double-sided first disc and three each on the remainder. The contents are an improvement on previous releases, with three separate episode commentaries, which are all informative and worthwhile: costar and sometime writer Michael Imperioli (Christopher) talks us through his own script for "The Telltale Moozadell"; Steve Buscemi appears on his directorial effort, "Pine Barrens"; and series creator David Chase chooses the penultimate episode, "Amour Fou". In addition there's a tiny three-minute backstage featurette. Picture and sound are up to par as ever. --Mark Walker

DVD Description
Episode list:

Synopsis
This collection comprises the entire third season of the HBO gangster drama, THE SOPRANOS. Some highlights of this season are Gloria and Tony's encounter at the snake exhibit, a GLADIATOR-inspired barroom brawl, and the first joint session between Tony, Carmela, and Dr. Melfi. Episodes include Pine Barrens (directed by Steve Buscemi), Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood, Fortunate Son, and the intense season finale The Army of One.

Customer Reviews

The Sopranos; the best programme on TV
The Sopranos is a compelling and hard hitting series that fascinates the viewer from beginning to end with wondeful characters that in most cases you cannot help but love. The third series carries on from the previous two, but now with the FBI playing a more prominent role in the proceedings. Each episode is very different from the last in the events that happen and the activities that both "families" get up to. With Meadow Soprano at college and an ever growing riff growing between her and Tony due to her relationships, aswell as Anthony Soprano Jnr and the trouble that he faces at school, Tony's professional life often takes a backward stance.
The highlight of the whole series for me however is the episode where Paulie and Christopher are marooned in a freezing snow covered forest, totally isolated from civilisation. That particular episode stood out for me both for entertainment value due to the two characters involved and the diffences between them, and the suspense of what exactly was going to happen to them. It was magical.

The Sopranos is a fantastic series and this DVD set is a must buy for any fan. I can't wait for the next series to come around...

Sopranos is better than films
The fact that I viewed the third series on my brother's laptop whilst on a two week blitz of the east coast should in no way bias my review of The Sopranos Series III. Indeed, even if it hadn't been viewed on a tiny screen, perched on the edge of numerous motel room beds in Washington, Boston, New York, and - home of The Sopranos themselves - New Jersey, (yes, yes, yes, of course I went on the whistle stop Sopranos tour to pick up the skinny) I would still give the DVD 5 stars. It is quite simply the best thing on telly. Sopranos is better than films.

The third season starts where Big Pussy's execution left us - on a low - Tony's under surveillance from the FBI, Anthony Jr's in bother at school; Meadow's choice in boyfriends stirs strong feelings; Carmela is still feeling guilty and Tony swaps one bunny boiler goomah for another. The death of Tony's mum, the ghostly glimpse of Big Pussy in the mirror and the brutal assault On Dr Melfi cast a dark shadow on proceedings.

There's little relief for Tony at 'work' either. Despite the fortuitous disposal of Richie (it's good to see Janice again), the Aprile family still represent the biggest threat to Tony. Step forward Joe Pantoliano (Bound, The Matrix) as Jackie Jr's wicked stepfather. His erratic and dangerous behaviour (just as scary as Richie), culminating in the murder of one of the 'Bing girls, sparks a feud, which is further fuelled when Jackie Jnr and Meadow become an item.

Christopher finally becomes a made man, but struggles to meet the extra responsibility, much to Paulie's disgust. In one magnificent episode, directed by Steve Buscemi (On the US version I viewed, the pick of the extras were the commentary tracks: including episode directors Dave Chase and Buscemi - I imagine the Europe version is the same) the two become stranded in snow-filled woods and discuss their issues whilst freezing half to death.

I love the writing above all else. Understanding cause and effect. Every single character is believable. The acting is brilliant, the directing fantastic, the soundtrack brilliant again.

Although there isn't as much loose-ends tying at the end of the third series as previously, this only serves to leave this viewer eager for Series IV like never before. Experience has taught me that The Sopranos gets better the more you watch it - my only fear therefore is that IV is screened on terrestrial telly before I've time to re-watch, re-evaluate and re-scrutinise every nuance of the not yet released Series III DVD. Roll on 4/11/02 - mine's pre-ordered.

out of this world
Series one and two of sopranos were different class,but what superlative can i throw at series 3 for it puts those two to bed,this is tv that is best described as godly,tv that defies logic in as much as how can it be so good,well readers series 3 destroys all who challenge it in the same genre.
So much happens in series three that it would take me a week to write it all down but then i would be giving the game away and i wouldnt want to do that,but if you are reading this then you have series 1 and 2 and maybe just want to make sure that series 3 is a fitting follow up,well worry no longer for it is.
i aint in the practice of reviewing of blowing the lid on plots,however in series 3 tonys mum dies,well its hardly a secret,she died in real life prior to this,however the cgi used to end her part in this properly is a shambles and looks cheaper than a ripped jumper,however the funeral that she gets on the show is a moving and tense affair.Also we are introduced to a new character in ralphie who has a few problems with tony along the way and we also see a tension building between pauly and tony that the show could never have hinted at before,the stories involving tonys wife and kids also progress in style among others.
Special tribute must be given to the episode 'pine barrens' which is as good as the majority of films you may ever see and thats some praise and with 13 episodes and more drama and comical moments than you coulld shake a stick at this is again the very meaning of class.