Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-03-10
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 5
• Running time: 749 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Even if you missed the first three seasons (the character guides and thorough episode recaps on HBO's website are recommended), and with only one season left, it's not too late to get in under The Wire. In fact, season 4 is an accessible introduction for those who know The Wire only by its street cred as arguably the very best show on television. For them especially, this season will be, as befitting its theme, a real education. Without resorting to melodramatics that other ratings-challenged series employ to gain that frustratingly elusive audience, The Wire shakes things up this season in a way that is true to the series and its characters. A major character, Dominic West's McNulty, plays a minor role as a contented street cop and family man, while a former supporting player, Jim True-Frost's Roland Pryzbylewski, goes to the head of the class as a new eighth grade teacher at beleaguered Edward Tilghman Middle School. It may take a couple of episodes to orient yourself to the Baltimore backrooms, squad rooms, classrooms, and street corners where The Wire's intense dramas play out, and new viewers may miss something in character nuance, but they will easily grasp the big picture. A politically motivated shake-up sends Major Crimes detectives Freamon (Clarke Peters) and Greggs (Sonja Sohn) to Homicide. The gloves come off in the mayoral race between black incumbent Clarence Royce (Glynn Turman) and idealistic white challenger Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen). Gang leader Marlo (Jamie Hector) quietly and deliberately becomes the city's new drug kingpin, managing to subvert all surveillance efforts. Meanwhile, while "Prez" tries to reach his students, four highly at-risk kids will be drawn into the drug trade.

Mere synopsis does not do The Wire justice. The series deftly juggles its myriad storylines and characters, all of whom make an impression, from Marlo's cold-blooded enforcers, Snoop (Felicia Pearson) and Chris (Gbenga Akinnagbe), to boxing instructor "Cutty" (Chad L. Coleman), determined to keep his young charges off the corners. There is not a false note in the performances or the writing. Richard Price (Clockers) and Dennis Lehane (Mystic River) again contributed episodes. That this series has only been nominated for only one Emmy (for writing) is a travesty. As engrossing as the finest novels and in a class by itself, this isn't television; it's The Wire. --Donald Liebenson

DVD Description
Set in Baltimore, The Wire focuses on the inner-city’s drug scene, depicting the lives of every member of the drug food chain, from junkies to dealers, and from cops to politicians. Season 4 continues the show’s edgy and realistic tone.
With the fall of Barksdale and the ascent of young Marlo Stanfield as West Baltimore's drug king, the detail continues to follow the money up the political ladder in the midst of a mayoral election that pits the black incumbent, Clarence Royce, against an ambitious white councilman, Tommy Carcetti.

Customer Reviews

outstanding! 6 stars
Quite simply the finest drama I have ever seen, I thought series 3 could not get any better but the writers/cast proved me wrong. If I could give it six stars I would. I have never felt so involved in a series before, my only complaint is I watched it too quickly.

Loved it
This season of The WIre was no let down. The focus on the children was excellent...showing that the system can let them down but in the case of Pres (who does try to do right) he really tries to help these children look upwards and see they can do right. Still love Omar - he does what he does and people never see him coming. Not to keen on Snoop...but you cant love em all!! Cant wait for season 5 which is coming on FX channel later this month!

Best show on TV
In its 4th season, The Wire continues to deserve its oft given title of "best show on TV".

This season concentrates on the school system, adding it to The Wire's already complex mix of crime, politics, trade unions and more. Teachers deal with growing violence and also have to fight against a school system that is more focused on meeting targets than actually helping the children in their care. Sounds familiar...

All the (surviving) favourites are back, but the real plaudits should go to the new "corner kids" who seem to be doomed to end up as drug dealers. The child actors are all astonishingly good, and fit in well with the stellar cast.

Highly recommended.