Crime Story: Series 1

Details

Following the phenomenal international success of Miami Vice, producer Michael Mann (director of Manhunter, Heat and Collateral) returned to television with Crime Story, the gritty tale of one Chicago cop's epic battle against organised crime.

Tougher talking and harder hitting than anything that had ever been seen on television before, the groundbreaking and seminal Crime Story blazed a trail that set the standards for contemporary TV shows such as The Sopranos and The Shield. Today Crime Story is considered a true cult classic as well as one of the most startling series in television history.

For two explosive seasons Crime Story told the hard-boiled saga of hair-trigger cop, Lieutenant Mike Torello (Dennis Farina) and his obsessive pursuit of ruthless gangster Ray Luca (Anthony Denison) from the mean streets of early 1960s Chicago to the neon nights of mob-run Las Vegas.

Much of the show's success was due to its remarkable cast of regulars, a line-up that included the brilliant Dennis Farina (Manhunter; Thief), Anthony John Denison (Saving Private Ryan; Get Shorty; The Harvest; City Of Hope), Stephen Lang (Gods And Generals; Manhunter), Ted Levine (Ali; Heat; The Silence Of The Lambs), actor-comedian Andrew Dice Clay (The Adventures Of Ford Fairlane), Darlanne Fluegel (To Live And Die In LA; Once Upon A Time In America) and Patricia Charbonneau (Call Me; Manhunter; Desert Hearts).

Crime Story's unique pedigree was further established by an equally stellar list of guest stars. Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Billy Zane, Michael Madsen, David Hyde Pierce, Vincent Gallo, Deborah Harry, Lorraine Bracco, Pam Grier, Gary Sinise, David Caruso, David Soul, George Dzundza, James Remar, Laura San Giacomo, Ving Rhames, Michael Wincott and Jenny Wright are just some of the names that appeared throughout the show's two seasons.

During its run, Crime Story also attracted the talents of some of the hottest directors in Hollywod, including the likes of Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant), Mimi Leder (Pay It Forward; Deep Impact), Bill Duke (Deep Cover; A Rage In Harlem), Aaron Lipstadt (Android), Peter Medak (Species II; Romeo Is Bleeding), Bobby Roth (Heartbreakers) and Gary Sinise (Of Mice And Men).

As he had done before with Miami Vice, for Crime Story producer Mann continued to employ an innovative use of contemporary music and songs on the soundtrack throughout the series, using Del Shannon's classic "Runaway" as the theme and bringing in Todd Rundgren to create the incidental score.

Now, Anchor Bay UK is releasing the complete first season of Crime Story as a special five-disc DVD boxed set. Featuring all 20 episodes of Season One, including the feature-length pilot episode directed by Abel Ferarra, the Crime Story: Season 1 is sure to be one of the most essential and talked about DVD releases of the year.

The five-disc Crime Story: Series One, featuring all 20 episodes including the feature length pilot, will be released on DVD by Anchor Bay UK on 16th August 2004.