Probably one of the most intriguing modern day westerns to hit cable Longmire: The Complete First Season puts on a very good show with its feisty sheriff and deputies who take crime seriously in the North Country. The show features a different situation each episode and the main cast with Robert Taylor keeps rolling for a complete season on DVD. It’s the best way to get the whole show without ads and the rewind button helps you to take a second look at what you think you saw the first time.
In this first season we get introduced to the Walt Longmire, an obstinate sort who drinks too much, but one who wants to make sure his district is safe from crime. He may do things his own way that’s out of the ordinary, but he does get the job done. He’s liked by some and disregarded by others, but keeping the peace takes a tough man in the wild, cold and rugged Wyoming.
He’s been disheartened over the death of his wife just a year ago however, and can’t seem to get it together as well has he did in the past. He tries his best to keep up with modern day tactics and has taken on a new deputy Victoria Moretti who came to Absaroka County from Philadelphia. Victoria is a handful always suggesting new ideas on how to handle cases.
Throughout the season Longmire solves a lot of back woods crimes with the help of his deputies and in some cases visiting law enforcement looking for a criminal, but his main concern are the population who a made up mostly of Cheyenne. His relationship with Indian leader Henry Standing Bear is one of uncommitted when he needs his advice and it takes a lot to get answers and help.
Longmire Season one DVD has 10 exciting episodes and besides the “Pilot” include; “The Dark Road”, “A Damn Shame”, “The Cancer”, “Dog Soldier”, “The Worst Kind of Hunter”, “8 Seconds”, “An Incredibly Beautiful Thing”, “Dogs, Horses, and Indians” and “Unfinished Business”. The main cast includes; Robert Taylor as Longmire, Katee Sackhoff, Bailey Chase, Adam Bartley, Cassidy Freeman and Lou Diamond Phillips as Henry Standing Bear.
The full season DVD has the following bonus features that are worth the look:
- “The Camera’s Eye: Realizing the World of Longmire” is a documentary about the crew filming in New Mexico and what is seen through the lens becomes Wyoming.
- “Longmire Justice: Exploring the Cowboy Detective” The making of a cowboy lawman and who he is with comments by cast.
- “Unaired Scenes”
- “Gallery of Still Photography”
The sound quality is very good using the Dolby Digital 5.1 that accompanies the DVD. There are some scenes where I am surprised the sound crew was able to pull off in the deep woods, but they come up winners. The each episode during the whole season has some exciting moments and it all comes across clear on the DVD.
The video quality with the widescreen for HD Televisions fits perfect on my 16×9 unit. The cinematography of the “Wyoming” landscapes is colorful and the dark interiors are nicely photographed.
Specifications and additional film information:
- Cast: Robert Taylor, Katee Sackhoff, Bailey Chase, Adam Bartley, Cassidy Freeman and Lou Diamond Phillips
- Directed by: Several
- TV Rating: Unrated
- Genre: Western, Crime
- Running Time: 443 min
- Video Release Date: May 28, 2013
- Original Series Release Date on A&E: June 3, 2012 to August 12, 2013
- Language: English
- Format: DVD
- Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
- Video: Widescreen version for 16×9 Televisions
- Number of Discs: 2 Discs
- Distributed by: Warner Home Video
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
