Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #641 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-09-11
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Subtitled
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 6
• Running time: 957 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
And so this is it. The seventh series of The West Wing, collected together in this season boxset, marks the final swansong for one of the finest, snappiest American television productions of the last decade. Fortunately, and there are no spoilers here, it does go out with some style.

That said, even the most ardent fan of The West Wing would argue that its finest moments came in the first four or five seasons, at the point where its creator, Aaron Sorkin, was still heavily involved in its day to day running. Yet that’s meant that some of the later episodes have, unfairly, been given short shrift, when in fact they more than capably demonstrate the winning blend of character, sharp dialogue and cleverly constructed, relevant plotlines of life in fictional US President Bartlet’s administration.

That said, though, season seven of The West Wing still doesn’t hit the heights that the show has scaled over its run, yet it’s got enough within it to more than justify a purchase, and for far more reasons than simply completing a collection. Not least is the superb, respectful manner in which actor John Spencer’s tragic passing was written into the show. When the credits roll for the last time come the final episode, there’s a real sense that something quite special has come to an end. --Jon Foster

Synopsis
From the mind of screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (A FEW GOOD MEN) comes this controversial NBC drama, which became an immediate smash after premiering in 1999. Starring Martin Sheen as President Jed Bartlet, the series follows the hyperdramatic tension that accompanies everyday life in the White House. Addressing topical issues in every episode, Sorkin's drama features stellar supporting turns by Rob Lowe, Stockard Channing, and Moira Kelly. Features all the episodes from the seventh series.

Customer Reviews

Time passes
Tony Blair is said to have liked this series and wished he could have had a prime minister's office run like the 'west wing'. Enough said.

"It's ridiculous to suggest that we would ever have to go to war to assure our oil supply"
The creators of this show decided to end the series with a thunder, and therefore delivered a season that has it all. There are clear parallelisms between some of the situation seen in the show and those faced by the current administration, and the criticism could not be clearer. There are many comments regarding "Stay the course", and even though it is based on a different environment, the message comes through loud and clear, and with a good level of sarcasm. Also, talking about the inexistence of an exit strategy for a war that the US may march into should ring some bells.

We are used from previous seasons to see a team in the White House that is trying to govern in an ethical way, but instead of facing an "ideal situation" to do so, has to compromise and do things little by little. This is still true, but the main focus of this season is on the race for the presidency between Matt Santos and Arnold Vinick. This makes for some exciting episodes and the fact that Vinick is not a typical Republican leads to some very interesting situations. I bet many people wish that the debates we get to see in real life were as good and revealing as the one we witness during this season.

Then there is the romance. If you are one of those that during the previous seasons was always waiting for relationships to develop between some of the characters, and saw that it was not happening, you will now have your redemption. I understand why the writers crafted it this way, since too much romance in the past would have take focus away from the main issues, but now they really went all out and made good in their unpaid debts.

The usual cast does an outstanding job, but Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda are so amazingly good in their roles that they place themselves a step above the rest. It will be hard to see these actors in other roles in the future without thinking of them as the president candidates Santos and Vinick. I also liked the idea of bringing in Janeane Garofalo, an actress that is known for her strong political activism and that plays the role displaying that passion.

Of course, I cannot write a review about this series without mentioning John Spencer and his untimely death. This actor was the heart and soul of the show and the fact that he played a character that shares many characteristics with his real persona is not a minor detail. The episode "Requiem" is one in which you can feel that some of the members are not acting at all, but showing their true emotions and appreciation for Spencer instead. The creators of the series did a good job in modifying the script to deal with the unexpected event, and should be praised for this.

The quality and success of this show through its seven years has set the bar extremely high for any future political series. And the reasons behind this are clear as water. I hope someone in the future can come even close to this altitude, but I am not holding my breath, since the odds of that happening are not too good!

just gets better
Series 7 is a blinder! A complete rebuff to those who lamented Aaron Sorkin's departure with cries of the show isn't the same. Nonsense. Jimmy Smits is utterly convincing as the presidential nominee who at times feels out of his depth, in the shadow of President Bartlett. I found at times that Martin Sheen's appearances and storylines actually detracted from the Alan Alda (who is excellent) and Jimmy Smits contest. John Spencer's passing is a sobering reminder of just how much a part of the show's family you've become after 6 series. By the end of Series 7 you are sad that you can't follow the journey of President Santos, but happy to have witnessed the maturing of a nominee into a president as convincing as Martin Sheen ever was. Top notch entertainment.