Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1553 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-06-20
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Hebrew, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish
• Dubbed in: French
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 780 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Facing an indeterminate sentence of weeks/months/years until new episodes, Sopranos fans are advised to take the fifth; season, that is. At this point, superlatives don't do The Sopranos justice, but justice was at last served to this benchmark series. For the first time, The Sopranos rubbed out The West Wing to take home its first Emmy for Outstanding Dramatic Series. Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo also earned Best Supporting Actor and Actress honors for some of their finest hours as Christopher and Adriana. From the moment a wayward bear lumbers into the Sopranos' yard in the season opener, it is clear that The Sopranos is in anything but a "stagmire." The series benefits from an infusion of new blood, the so-called "Class of 2004," imprisoned "family" members freshly released from jail. Most notable among these is Tony's cousin, Tony Blundetto (Steve Buscemi, who directed the pivotal season 3 episode "Pine Barrens"), who initially wants to go straight, but proves himself to be something of a "free agent," setting up a climactic stand-off between Tony and New York boss Johnny Sack.

These 13 mostly riveting episodes unfold with a page-turning intensity with many rich subplots. Estranged couple Tony and Carmela (the incomparable James Gandolfini and Edie Falco) work toward a reconciliation (greased by Tony's purchase of a $600,000 piece of property for Carmela to develop). The Feds lean harder on an increasingly stressed-out and distraught Adriana to "snitch" with inevitable results. This season's hot-button episode is "The Test Dream," in which Tony is visited by some of the series' dear, and not-so-dearly, departed in a harrowing nightmare. With this set, fans can enjoy marathon viewings of an especially satisfying season, but considering the long wait ahead for season 6, best to take Tony's advice to his son, who, at one point, gulps down a champagne toast. "Slow down," Tony says. "You're supposed to savor it." --Donald Liebenson, Amazon.com

Synopsis
The personal and professional adventures of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) unfold once again in this fifth season of episodes from the show. This time out he's officially separated from Carmela (Edie Falco), but still beset by family problems and a wandering eye that strays into some dangerous territory. Christopher (Michael Imperioli), Paulie (Tony Sirico), and Silvio (Steve Van Zandt) still keep their eyes on the business end of Tony's life, while Anthony Jr. (Robert Iler) and Meadow (Jamie Lynn Sigler) learn some tough lessons as the offspring of a notorious mob boss. Tony's sister Janice (Aida Turturro) causes further problems for her beleaguered brother, including a stint in Anger Management classes, but fortunately the ever-reliable Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) is on hand to beat off Tony's advances and steady his nerves through her therapy sessions. Every episode from the award winning show's fifth season is included here.

Customer Reviews

"Listen, everything's all right ..."
While series 5 of the Spotranos suffers slightly by comparison with some of its illustrious predecessors, the series builds to a great climax in the last 3 episodes. I agree with one or two of the criticisms by other reviewers, and the first three or four episodes are slower and apparently less consequential than many earlier episiodes, but the final four episodes of the series (especially the penultimate installment) make compelling viewing.

The problem that series 4 and 5 of the Sopranos have had is how to keep things fresh- after all, this is a series that has churned out 60-odd episodes of about 45 minutes each, all with Hollywood-standard production values. The biggest flaw is a felling of 'here we go again' when older characters (Vito, Little Paulie and Bobby for example) are promoted or given more prominence and new characters (Phil Leotardo, Tony Blundetto) are introduced. For the first half of the series, Tony Blundetto appears to be filling the shoes left by Ralph and Richie Aprile before that, but Steve Buscemi's excellent, understated acting gives the character added depth and significance.

The last part of the series effectively drums home the message that the Sopranos has been reiterating for years - no matter how cosy and cuddly these characters may appear, they are ruthless murderers and no matter how much they talk about family and honour, they are as motivated by greed and self interest as any petty thieves, points perhaps obscured in even the greatest Mafia movies.

My big hope is that the fact that the show now has a very limited shelf-life (20-odd more episodes) might give season 6 and the following specials a natural dramatic impetus.

Biggest disappointment in season 5 - not enough Junior!

belter
Sopranos,for me was interrupted after season 4,by 24,a friend lent me season one of that and i had to see everything,so now that has finished,i have bought season 5 of sopranos and i am delighted to say that this season is again gold,pure gold.
Season 5 is in many ways the most comfortable of series',very much at ease with itself,its almost as if everyone knows what they are about now and the show could literally write itself.This series is too be fair a wordy series,plenty of dialouge and less action than before but no less great for it though,when the blood flows,it flows violently but there is alot to be learnt by the scenes which stretch into vast conversation and can be deemed insightful and bring the story crashing down.
That being said,of course,this means that many found this series dull and numb,but i implore you to be patient with this,new characters come and go here in style,and steve buscemi is great as Tonys cousin who wants to go straight after his release from jail.
There are gentle twists and turns and once again,the show doesnt fall into the cliffhanger episode mode,further proof of the shows confidence in itself.
VItal,yes,stunning,yes,am i looking forward to series 6 now,you better believe it!

Ignore Bad Reviews, Season 5 is great !!
Season 5 is a great addition to the sopranos series, Many plot twists and turns including a few major suprises during the last few episodes. Season 5 sets up for season 6 beautifully, leaving many questions for the viewer. Dont be put off by negative reviews, this season is well worth watching.