Product Description

"The show that multiple cop dramas have tried--and continue to try--to emulate is back on DVD. HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET is simply good television."--The San Francisco Examiner. Day to day, the officers of the Baltimore Police Department Homicide Division face one of the nation's worst crime rates--not to mention the pressures of their personal lives. Some days, justice isn't blind--it flat-out doesn't exist. Edgy and hyper-realistic, HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET elevated the art of the police drama to new heights. Shot on location with in-your-face camera action, deft writing, and a stellar ensemble cast, this first-time-on-DVD collection features all 23 episodes from the sixth season of the Emmy and Peabody award-winning series, highlighted by the celebrated "The Subway" episode. From the creator of Gideon's Crossing and Quiz Show (Paul Attanasio) and Executive Produced by Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Diner) and Tom Fontana (OZ, St. Elsewhere), the sixth complete season of HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS is one of television's toughest and sharpest shows. NOW - FOR THE FIRST TIME - WATCH THE EPISODES IN THE ORDER INTENDED BY THE SERIES’ PRODUCERS. DVD Features: Feature-Length Documentary Anatomy of a Homicide; Commentary with Writer James Yoshimura and Director Gary Fleder on "The Subway"; Cast and Crew Biographies; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22363 in DVD
• Brand: A&E
• Released on: 2005-01-25
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 6
• Running time: 1080 minutes

Amazon.com
Homicide's sixth season begins with a bang. Three-part premiere "Blood Ties" represents the Peabody Award-winning drama at its best. The ambitious story arc introduces a case that will pit the detectives against a prominent Maryland family--and each other. The Wilson family includes Lt. Giardello's friend, Felix (James Earl Jones), his loyal wife (Lynne Thigpen), and his wayward son (Jeffrey Wright). By the time the case is put to rest, everyone involved will have lost more than they've gained. On the plus side, Pembleton (Andre Braugher) has another baby on the way and Bayliss (Kyle Secor) is about to embark on a relationship--with Dr. Cox (Michelle Forbes).

More changes are on the way. Characters introduced in season 5 will become regulars in season 6: Laura Ballard (Callie Thorne), Stuart Gharty (Peter Gerety), and Paul Falsone (Jon Seda). Culture clashes will commence the moment they step into the squad room. But some things never change and Homicide will continue to boast some of the best acting, writing, and directing on network television. Another standout episode, "The Subway," featuring Vincent D'Onofrio, would even become the focus of a PBS special, Anatomy of a Homicide, which is included with this collection.

The biggest story arc will last the entire season. The squad may have thought that the shooting of Luther Mahoney marked the end of his reign, but they were wrong. Luther had followers, like his steely sister, Georgia Rae (Hazelle Goodman), and her loose-cannon son, Junior (Mekhi Phifer). Kellerman (Reed Diamond) will continue to be dogged by rumors that the shoot wasn't "clean," and the other detectives will start to abandon him, even former flame Cox and ex-partner Lewis (Clark Johnson). The sixth season of Homicide would turn out to be the last for Forbes, Diamond, and Emmy Award-winner Braugher. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

Season Six: Shakeups and Departures
The penultimate season of "Homicide" finds Howard, Brodie, and Cox out of the picture with Gharty, Falsone, and Ballard joining the detectives. In my opinion, this is one of the best seasons of the show, featuring the oft-acclaimed "The Subway" episode and the conclusion to the Luther Mahoney arc that began in Season Four.

Episodes include:

Blood Ties, I, II, & III
Birthday
Baby, it's You (Part II; Part I is a "Law & Order" episode)
Saigon Rose
The Subway (with director's commentary)
All is Bright
Closet Cases
Sins of the Father
Shaggy Dog, City Goat
Something Sacred I & II
Lies & Other Truths
Pit Bull Sessions
Mercy
Abduction
Full Court Press
Strangled, Not Stirred
Secrets
Finnegan's Wake
Fallen Hero's I & II

This is a standout season, and with only one additional release to look forward to, this is the best way to remember a television show which will stand as a cultural icon for years to come.
Also on the release is "Anatomy of Homicide: A Life on the Street," a PBS documentary narrated by Richard Belzer that offers a great look into the making of the show. Though it was originally aired to coincide with Season Seven, this is a welcome addition to the set.
And, for those who are disappointed that the music listings are no longer a "special feature," visit http://members.aol.com/hlots98/episodes.html as it contains an episode-by-episode list of all songs.

Nearly flawless season with exceptional extras
While it's difficult to call Homicide: The Complete Sixth Season the best season of this Peabody Award winning series, it comes pretty darn close with a three episode story arc that ranks among the best and the classic episode The Subway featuring guest star Vincent D'Onofrio (Men in Black, Law and Order). Kellerman (Reed Diamond) exits this season amid allegations that his killing of a prominent drug lord wasn't "clean" and, ultimately, his colleagues turn away from him including his partner Lewis (Clark Johnson). The bloody shoot out of the grand finale ends the sixth season with a bang. While we once again have the departures of many cast members (including the superb Andre Braugher and Michelle Forbes) at the conclusion of this season, we also have many new and interesting characters introduced.

Like the previous sets, the sixth season looks very good on DVD. Keep in mind that this series was shot on 16 mm film and that the grainy look of the series was, indeed, intended. That said, A&E have done a marvelous job of transferring this classic series last great season to DVD. The sound has solid presence as well.

We get the full length PBS documentary Anatomy of a Homicide which highlights the making of the classic episode The Subway. One of the best stand-alone episodes the series produced, we get behind-the-scenes footage of the shooting, interviews with cast and crew members and a discussion of how the episode was structured. It's one of the best extras that A&E has licensed for this series.

There's a single commentary track but it's a great one; we get feedback from both director Gary Fleder and writer James Yoshimura on The Subway. Sure, there could have been more commentary tracks but what's provided (along with the documentary) makes this an outstanding set. I would have liked to have a commentary on the final episode of season six but clearly A&E stretched its marketing budget as far as it could to provide interesting extras for this season.

The last great and essential season of the series has two deluxe extras in the form of the full length documentary and commentary track on The Subway. The image and sound quality are truly exceptional given the source material and the packaging shows the great care A&E has shown on previous sets.

don't worry about extras
I just want to say, don't worry about extras and widescreen this and that. Homicide was a tv series that once aired and now does not. Changes were made at the time to scripts and scenes etc. due to pressure from the network and cast changes - but what it all boiled down to was what aired, and those of us buying these dvd sets loved it and still do love it. All I want from the season 6 dvd is what I wanted and got from the first five: The episodes, as they aired, in the proper order. A commentary here and there is just a bonus. The first four seasons were best. Season five was fantastic, and the last season wasn't quite as good but was still the best show on television. Why fret over deleted scenes and widescreen? This collection will have the complete season six, that's what's important.