Product description

The West Wing - Complete Season 7 [2001]

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Average customer rating: 4.5

Binding : DVD
EAN : 7321900818889
Label : Warner Home Video
Manufacturer : Warner Home Video
Publisher : Warner Home Video
Release date : 2006-09-11
Title : The West Wing - Complete Season 7 [2001]
Actor : Array
Audience rating : Suitable for 12 years and over
Format : Array
Languages : Array
Number of items : 6
Original release date : 2001-01-18
Region code : 2
Running time : 957
Studio : Warner Home Video
Theatrical releaseDate : 2001-07-06

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
And so this is it. The seventh series of The West Wing, collected together in this season boxset, marks the final swansong for one of the finest, snappiest American television productions of the last decade. Fortunately, and there are no spoilers here, it does go out with some style.

That said, even the most ardent fan of The West Wing would argue that its finest moments came in the first four or five seasons, at the point where its creator, Aaron Sorkin, was still heavily involved in its day to day running. Yet that’s meant that some of the later episodes have, unfairly, been given short shrift, when in fact they more than capably demonstrate the winning blend of character, sharp dialogue and cleverly constructed, relevant plotlines of life in fictional US President Bartlet’s administration.

That said, though, season seven of The West Wing still doesn’t hit the heights that the show has scaled over its run, yet it’s got enough within it to more than justify a purchase, and for far more reasons than simply completing a collection. Not least is the superb, respectful manner in which actor John Spencer’s tragic passing was written into the show. When the credits roll for the last time come the final episode, there’s a real sense that something quite special has come to an end. --Jon Foster

Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-05-02 rating:

Time passes
Tony Blair is said to have liked this series and wished he could have had a prime minister's office run like the 'west wing'. Enough said.

review by: date: 2007-11-18 rating:

"It's ridiculous to suggest that we would ever have to go to war to assure our oil supply"
The creators of this show decided to end the series with a thunder, and therefore delivered a season that has it all. There are clear parallelisms between some of the situation seen in the show and those faced by the current administration, and the criticism could not be clearer. There are many comments regarding "Stay the course", and even though it is based on a different environment, the message comes through loud and clear, and with a good level of sarcasm. Also, talking about the inexistence of an exit strategy for a war that the US may march into should ring some bells.

We are used from previous seasons to see a team in the White House that is trying to govern in an ethical way, but instead of facing an "ideal situation" to do so, has to compromise and do things little by little. This is still true, but the main focus of this season is on the race for the presidency between Matt Santos and Arnold Vinick. This makes for some exciting episodes and the fact that Vinick is not a typical Republican leads to some very interesting situations. I bet many people wish that the debates we get to see in real life were as good and revealing as the one we witness during this season.

Then there is the romance. If you are one of those that during the previous seasons was always waiting for relationships to develop between some of the characters, and saw that it was not happening, you will now have your redemption. I understand why the writers crafted it this way, since too much romance in the past would have take focus away from the main issues, but now they really went all out and made good in their unpaid debts.

The usual cast does an outstanding job, but Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda are so amazingly good in their roles that they place themselves a step above the rest. It will be hard to see these actors in other roles in the future without thinking of them as the president candidates Santos and Vinick. I also liked the idea of bringing in Janeane Garofalo, an actress that is known for her strong political activism and that plays the role displaying that passion.

Of course, I cannot write a review about this series without mentioning John Spencer and his untimely death. This actor was the heart and soul of the show and the fact that he played a character that shares many characteristics with his real persona is not a minor detail. The episode "Requiem" is one in which you can feel that some of the members are not acting at all, but showing their true emotions and appreciation for Spencer instead. The creators of the series did a good job in modifying the script to deal with the unexpected event, and should be praised for this.

The quality and success of this show through its seven years has set the bar extremely high for any future political series. And the reasons behind this are clear as water. I hope someone in the future can come even close to this altitude, but I am not holding my breath, since the odds of that happening are not too good!

review by: skiwiman date: 2007-08-17 rating:

just gets better
Series 7 is a blinder! A complete rebuff to those who lamented Aaron Sorkin's departure with cries of the show isn't the same. Nonsense. Jimmy Smits is utterly convincing as the presidential nominee who at times feels out of his depth, in the shadow of President Bartlett. I found at times that Martin Sheen's appearances and storylines actually detracted from the Alan Alda (who is excellent) and Jimmy Smits contest. John Spencer's passing is a sobering reminder of just how much a part of the show's family you've become after 6 series. By the end of Series 7 you are sad that you can't follow the journey of President Santos, but happy to have witnessed the maturing of a nominee into a president as convincing as Martin Sheen ever was. Top notch entertainment.

review by: date: 2007-03-12 rating:

All 'Bout The Lyman...
The last season of the series is an uprooting experience, taking a step farther away from the safe ol' White House and the good ol' days. Having now watched the whole marvellous series, I have a great feeling of nostalgia. The plot focuses on two things: the presidential campaign and its two opposing camps, and the ongoing politics of the current White House. Several long-time love stories of the series are brought to their conclusions, and political crises arise - as usual. The first episode features a short "three years later" flash forward, to the dedication of the Bartlet library, and through it you get a glimpse of the future without being told everything that will happen for the next few years. After this short intro, we are shot back into the present. And when I say "shot", I'm not kidding around. The pace is frenetic, and illustrates the true pace of a national campaign and the wear on the people running it. Josh Lyman is the centre of attention throughout, working himself to the brink of destruction to take his candidate to victory.

The fundamental problem of the last two seasons is that there is something missing. That thing is Bartlet. His wit and interactions with the staff. Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits do their parts very well, but their characters simply aren't as interesting as the president, who's not around much. Whenever the candidates say something enlightening, it just makes you feel like the writers are trying to make them look like the new Bartlet. You end up missing the good old days. Much of the fun is also gone; every moment is drenched in such a serious undertone that you miss the amusing puns and quick replies; when they try, more often than not does it fall short - the show has, in short, lost itself. The "magic" is what's missing. Another thing is the lack of a trademark exciting final episode; being the last of the series there is of course no need for a cliffhanger, but I'd still appreciate a bit more grandiose finale than this "back to the everyday doings of the new White House" stuff.

The acting is what keeps it alive. Allison Janney, Janel Moloney and Bradley Whitford are still central characters and as we all know, they've got some game. Whitford in particular is spectacular, centrepiece cast member as he is. The story is not strictly necessary, but the character interaction and development is something you'll want. I'd like to emphasize one episode as being better than the others...: "The Cold". The rest are decent, but nothing out of the ordinary. Seriously, you can stop after buying five seasons, but if you're a big fan, you should pick up the last two.

The only really BIG reason for buying season 7 is the developing story of Josh and Donna. He's been impossible as far as ANY romance is concerned for eight years, but despite her leaving him to find more serious work somewhere else he loves Donna like a sister... perhaps even a bit more?

review by: celticshedevil date: 2007-02-06 rating:

I'll miss the Bartlett Administration
I've been a West Wing fan from the get-go and was sorry to have to pick up what I knew would be the last season. As always the West Wing doesn't disappoint and season 7 is a fitting end to a wonderful series that will be sorely missed.

S7 focuses mainly on the presidential race between Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda) and Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) and the highs and lows that each endures but it also keeps the usual suspects in the frame so we don't forget those who made the West Wing the winner it is. While the usual characters are in attendance in Season 7 it's also great to see some old faces return; Rob Lowe in particular. The way the writers dealt with the death of John Spencer mid-season was very well done and a very fitting tribute.

I'm not going to say too much about what happens in Season 7 as it's just one of those things you have to watch. All I will say is that if you're a West Wing fan then you won't be disappointed.....well not until the final episode anyway....that's when it hits you that the fat lady is singing and it's all over.......

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