In association with

The Sopranos : Complete HBO Season 3 [1999]
from Warner Home Video
starring James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, Dominic Chianese

Features:

• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial 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

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0

• Still perfect.
  Still a whole hunk of man. Catch him before the series 4 fat piles on.

• Y' want cawfee?
  Series 3 of the Sopranos is magnificent. Nothing I can say can do it justice.

• PINE BARRENS
  "So," Tony asks Dr. Melfi in the wake of not-so-dearly-departed Livia's death, "we're probably done here, right?"
  Sorry, Tone, not by a long shot. Unresolved mother issues are the least of the Family man's troubles in the brutal and controversial third season of The Sopranos. There are some major plot developments in this third (and best) season. Starting off slowly, the first episode chronicles the synchronized, often comical efforts of the FBI, which is trying to get an electronic surveillance bug... more info

• The best season (of any show)
  The Sopranos season 3 blew me away. A friend lent me the first four seasons on DVD and this one was comfortably the best. I think I watched it all in about 3 days, it was absolutely compulsive viewing. I never believed a TV show could be this good. After season 3 The Sopranos was never as good. It was still brilliant, but nothing can match the sheer quality and consistency of this season.
  Brilliantly written and acted, this is razor sharp with it's humour as well as it's storylines.
  Class.

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