Crime Story (Pilot Episode) [VHS]

Crime Story (Pilot Episode) [VHS]

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Customer Reviews

Crime Story

Reviewed by Albert Bear, 2001-11-28

While I am a transplant to Chicaga (the way the locals say it) the 'real' feel of the locations seep into this video. The main characters of Ray Luca and Mike Torello join in a pas de deux of crime and justice. Luca is amoral, staying strictly focused on making money as easily as possible, while Torello is so squarely on the line between good and evil that when he walks, one foot lands on the good side and the other foot lands on the side of evil. It is this conflict that generates and develops the characters. Michael Mann has succeeded in adapting Film Noire to Color. The pilot is a great lead in to the rest of the series, and was years ahead of the quality storylines of the Sopranos. The only way it could be better was if the rest of the series was also on DVD.

The Untouchables on acid

Reviewed by Jeffrey Ellis, 2001-10-10

Before he directed some of my favorite films (Heat, The Insider, Manhunter), Michael Mann created two groundbreaking television series. Miami Vice got most of the viewers but its Crime Story that was truly ahead of its time. Crime Story dealt with Lt. Torello (played by Dennis Farina with a grimness that always allowed a sly wit to shine through) who fought organized crime on the streets of Chicago in the 1950's. His main nemesis is aspiring mobster Luca, himself a fascinating portrait of evil who somehow always managed to be somehow sympathetic in his raw need to be a true crime lord. Even while playing hommage to the crime shows of the past (I always thought of it as the Untouchables if Eliot Ness ended up having a nervous breakdown halfway through the series), Crime Story redefined the genre. It went over the head of most viewers but now, after films like Pulp Fiction changed the way we view entertainment, Crime Story has been rediscovered and its about time. Even as the show's talented cast of character actors dispensed the melodrama with a sly wink at the few members of the audience lucky enough to be in on the joke, the violence was often amazingly intense but never played for cheap thrills. As well, Crime Story had a simply amazing soundtrack. In fact, I first started watching it mostly to hear the wonderful rendition of Del Shannon's "Runaway" over the opening credits but each show was scored with some of the best blues I've ever heard and it created a moody atmosphere that, quite simply, sucked you in. If you're a fan of the crime genre but haven't seen Crime Story, do yourself a favor and track it down. This pilot film is a great place to start on what, I promise, will be one of the most entertaining rides of your life.

Crime Story,Julia Roberts

Reviewed by Anonymous, 2001-04-17

Hallo, I am a German boy. I am a very big Fan from Julia Roberts. She played in an Episode in "Crime Story"(1986). I want to get a tape of this Episode. I will pay well. Can anyone help me??? I think "Crime Story" is a great serie.My E-mail:s.gieseud.hartung@t-online.de

Crime Story fan

Reviewed by Girl Most Likely To Fan, 2001-01-15

Absolutely the best crime show ever. I watched the series in highschool and regret not taping it at the time. I've also been searching for a copy of Runaway (the show's theme song - not Del's original version). Can anyone help?

Awesome!

Reviewed by michael j. miech, 2000-08-12

This series was one of the best ever on television. It made you want to be living in that era and be a cop going after the "bad guys". The inclusion of the blues songs throughout each episode helped with setting the correct moods of the moment. Torello (Dennis Farina) could be sitting at the bar with an early Stones or Muddy Waters song on the jukebox and you could read his mind! Michael Mann's best work, even better than Miami Vice.