Witchblade - The Complete Series | 
 enlarge | Actors: Yancy Butler, Eric Etebari, Anthony Cistaro, Will Yun Lee, David Chokachi
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $69.98
Buy New: $44.99
You Save: $24.99 (36%)
New (43) Used (13) from $39.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  82 reviews
Sales Rank: 1598
Format: Box Set, Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 7
Running Time: 60
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 1
MPN: WARD015962D
UPC: 012569681453
EAN: 0012569681453
Theatrical Release Date: 2001
Release Date: July 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 07/29/2008 Run time: 1122 minutes
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| Customer Reviews: Read 77 more reviews...
 Witchblade the Series on DVD... At Last!! April 22, 2008
96 out of 98 found this review helpful
Not only was it one of the most complex series in the history of cable television, Witchblade was easily one of the most underrated. Witchblade debuted in a full-length television pilot on TNT and then after its initial success became a full-fledged series in 2001. In many ways the show was ahead of its time. It managed to be both science-fiction (when the genre was suffering from unoriginal sequels and poorly made remakes), fantasy (before the genre was validated by The Lord of the Rings and Pan's Labyrinth) and added a healthy dose of cop drama. The intricate plotlines featured such esoteric subject matter as psychic visions, cloning, abnormal psychology, time travel, reincarnation, demonic possession, mythological motifs, multiple conspiracies, occult philosophical ideologies, and also benefited from clever pop-culture in-jokes.
The series was brought to life by strong acting from a diverse, if not at times dysfunctional cast. Witchblade also featured a greatly varying soundtrack (this DVD does not include all of the artists I've named here; see my comment for further explanation) that included everyone from The Crystal Method to Peter Gabriel, from Rob Zombie to Enya, from Three Dog Night to U2. The series burst off the small screen with great visual flare, the special effects were almost on a par with the first Matrix film, and the camerawork was equally impressive.
There have been some fans of the comics who have complained about the many differences between the show and the comics. But as I was at the time unfamiliar with the comics, I enjoyed the show from a fresh, purely objective perspective. I also think that most fans of the source material understood that this was not an adaptation in the strictest sense but more of a loosely inspired series that dealt with some of the same themes.
And now fans of this cult classic can enjoy their favorite comic book-inspired heroine on DVD... at last.
The characters include:
Sara Pezzini- A New York homicide cop and the "Blade-wielder"
Danny Woo- Sara's partner and close friend.
Jake McCartey- Sara's rookie partner in training.
Gabriel Bowman- A young occult/novelty shop owner and close friend of Sara's.
Kenneth Irons- A billionaire who may be more than he seems.
Ian Nottingham- A mysterious bodyguard/assassin in Iron's employ.
Black Dragons- A group of assassins who underwent experimental training.
White Bulls- A secretive fraternity of corrupt vigilante cops.
Here is the entire listing of episodes, including the pilot film (which is also included):
Season One
0. Witchblade: The Movie
New York homicide detective Sara Pezzini encounters a mystical weapon that can only be wielded by women. She is also introduced to the enigmatic billionaire, Kenneth Irons and his stoic bodyguard/assassin, Ian Nottingham.
1. Parallax
Sara uncovers a plot involving a group of elite assassins, called The Black Dragons, who plan to kill billionaire Irons.
2. Conundrum
After a supermodel is found dead, Sara must discover the identity of the killer, which leads her to a former "Blade-wielder".
3. Diplopia
A serial killer is stalking members of the art community and patrons of a gay bar but the primary suspect seems to have a perfect alibi.
4. Sacrifice
An Irish rocker comes to town and a killer takes inspiration from his lyrics, all the while Sara may be falling in love with the dreamy singer.
5. Legion
A man who may have killed a priest claims that he's possessed but the clues point to corruption within the church itself.
6. Maelstrom
Sara's lover, the Irish rocker Conchobar, is kidnapped by corrupt counter-terrorists and Sara sinks into violent desperation.
7. Periculum
The Witchblade tests Sara, at her most vulnerable, while pulling her deeper into its mysterious past.
8. Thanatopsis
Ian Nottingham goes renegade and targets Sara's rookie partner, Jake, who he believes to have betrayed her.
9. Apprehension
A corrupt vigilante force within the NYPD, called The White Bulls, has its sights on Sara while she must protect a witness to their violence.
10. Convergence
A psychotic rapist/killer is on the loose and only Sara can stop him but she's busy evading The White Bulls.
11. Transcendence
Nottingham dies to save Sara but then is resurrected in an even more deadly and unpredictable incarnation.
Season Two
1. Emergence
After turning back time itself Sara must face the consequences and solve a murder involving a live porn site.
2. Destiny
Kenneth Irons obtains The Lance of Longinus with which he intends to confront Sara and take back the Witchblade.
3. Agape
A dangerous new street drug is at the heart of an investigation and Jake takes the blame for a drug bust gone very wrong.
4. Consectatio
Nottingham is possessed by Irons and puts out a hit on Sara and the assassins he's hired are the uber-elite Black Dragons.
5. Static
A series of strange incidents leads to a subliminal influence, in the form of white noise, which may have instigated murder.
6. Nailed
A homicidal, serial child-rapist is released from prison and his next victim is Danny's niece.
7. Lagrimas
Sara falls in love with the perfect man, but is this mysterious stranger really what he appears to be?
8. Hierophant
A mysterious criminal mastermind is uniting rival crime syndicates and all the clues to his identity point to the most unlikely person of all.
9. Veritas
A secretive political schism hunts down Gabriel and Sara after they come across a roll of film that reveals them as murderers.
10. Parabolic
An enigmatic young vigilante takes out members of a cult devoted to hatred and Sara must choose aid her in bringing them down.
11. Palindrome
Sara is reunited with Conchobar while investigating an underground fight club that worships violent primitivism.
12. Ubique *
Sara's dreams may be premonitions of her greatest challenge yet and all she loves will hang in the balance.
* The Season Two finale was never intended to conclude the show's plotline, however as the series was canceled the story was left sadly incomplete.
I hope you will check out one of the coolest shows in recent years. "Rock on dot com!"
Excellent Escapist Fantasy Rooted in Contemporary Reality October 11, 2008
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I saw the series when it initially aired on TNT, and I found it fresh, exciting and captivating. The combination of pure escapist fantasy and cop drama worked well in this incarnation. Yes, it was strange, but strange doesn't mean that it wasn't entertaining. By juxtaposition of an ages-old metaphysical history against Sara Pezzini's attempts to cope with that in the framework of her contemporary physical world, it created a whole new universe for the writers to dabble in. I believe that people who enjoyed "Sliders" "Farscape" and "Quantum Leap" would have enjoyed this show, as well.
All good drama contains conflict, and in this case the conflict was manifest in Sara's efforts to reconcile the mundane and the metaphysical. At first a hard-bitten cynic, we see Sara slowly and begrudgingly grow spiritually and emotionally as she begins to accept and embrace her destiny as the current bearer of the Witchblade.
I was introduced first to the TV series, and then I want back to check out the comic: yet I found the series more accessible. At points during the series you were left wondering along with Sara if she was hallucinating or having visions of events that actually happened--which helped build tension in the storyline.
The important thing is that within the context of that story, it made sense, and helped move the plot forward effectively. It makes no sense to attempt to bring comic-book characters to the big screen, if all you're going to do is regurgitate the comic-book legend exactly as it appeared in print. An effective re-imagining actually takes old characters and makes them fresh and relevant again, as in the re-imagining of the Superboy legend in the Smallville TV series. I've read the Superman and Superboy comics growing up, which were mostly kind of corny. Smallville has taken the development of young Kal-el and made him contemporary and interesting again.
If a film or TV adaptation of a story originally told in graphic novel or comic book format stays true to the spirit and intent of the character, and changes are made to improve the dramatic flow in that direction, then those changes should be embraced as a welcome improvement, and not dismissed offhandedly from the dogmatic perspective of it straying from the comic, or being too different.
Yes... it does include the movie April 23, 2008
37 out of 46 found this review helpful
I did some searching and found out that this collection includes both seasons AND the original movie, so the storyline will not lack. This was great TV Sci-fi before Lost and BSG (even though I love both), so I'm excited to finally see this on DVD.
Best supernatural cop show ever! June 1, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I'm so excited that Warner Bros. decided to release the DVD set as the complete series (movie, Season 1, Season 2). Ralph Hemecker did a fantastic job creating a show that complemented the comic series, without imitating it. Frankly, if they had tried to go with the comic's look, the rating would be too high for tv. It would have resembled soft porn, so I'm glad they went with the "beautiful, but tough" portrayal instead.
Yancy Butler's portrayal of Sara Pezzinni as a cop struggling to learn the effects of the Witchblade on her life and career was amazing. I also found Anthony Cistaro's enigmatic Kenneth Irons more interesting than the comic, where the character as more overtly power hungry. Will Yun Lee and David Chokachi were perfect as Sara's fellow detectives. The introduction of Gabriel (John Hensley) in season 1 set the stage for great interactions between the talented cast. Terrific guest stars like Peter Mensah (300), Kim DeLury (Farscape Peacekeeper) and Roger Daultry added to the mix.
This was TNT's first television series success and they didn't seem to know how to handle it. For season two, I got the impression the execs became more involved and felt they had to change things up in order to justify their salaries. Ralph's consistent vision, which pulled viewers into the movie and first season was derailed with many stand alone episodes and the "death" of a major character, who was one of the show's strongest actors. The episodes were ok, but not as compelling as earlier developments and I believe most fans were excited for a third season, with Ralph back in control. Unfortunately, that never happened.
Still, the series is still the best of it's kind that I've seen. I hope that we get lots of DVD extras, like cast and crew episode commentaries, the TNT web videos, design, and new cast interviews. After 5-6 years of waiting, fans deserve a plethora of bonuses!
Here's What's About. April 19, 2008
12 out of 15 found this review helpful
I saw this series when it first came out on t.v. The witchblade is an ancient weapon that can be wielded only by a woman, one particular woman infact. When she dies the witchblade waits for her to be reincarnated. The witchblade was created for the purpose of bringing justice to those who need it and punishment to the bad guy. This series was done very well and Yancy Butler did a superb job as the Heroine. Non stop action and some very cool sword fighting. On the down side toward the end of this series it starts getting really weird and even blasphemes, just FYI.
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