Outlander: Season One - Volume One (Blu-ray + UltraViolet)

I may be one of the world' biggest fans of Diana Gabaldan and her "Outlander Series." I have read all 8 books in this collection and have read the first 4 books at least 4 times over the years. These books are not "chick lit books," as I know many men who are just as enthralled by them as I am. So to say that I was thrilled, at the very least, to know that the series, parts one and two, are now available on CD and on Amazon video, is an understatement. I viewed both seasons in 2 days. I was and am WOWED!!! If I could give this series a 10 star rating I would do so, rather then be limited to 5 stars.In season 1 of the "Outlander," (as in book one of the same title), the story begins right after WWII in Scotland. Claire Beecham Randall was a combat nurse in the World War II and served in the battlefields of France, particularly at a field hospital in Amiens. By 1943 she was a senior nurse, supervising junior nurses and orderlies. Her husband, Frank Randall, was in army intelligence as an officer with MI6 and served, primarily, in London, doing important government work. The couple spent a very brief time together before the war intruded on their lives. During the early years of their marriage, Claire worked as a nurse and Frank was a historian at Oxford and a member of the junior faculty there.As the story opens, both in the novel and the TV series, we find Claire and Frank on a 2nd honeymoon of sorts. They are visiting Inverness, Scotland. The terrible war is over and Claire and Frank, reunited, decide to go on a second honeymoon in Scotland to reestablish their marriage, their relationship. It is 1945. The couple stays at a charming bed-and-breakfast in Inverness, a city in the Scottish Highlands situated near an ancient stone circle called Craigh na Dun. One morning, while collecting plant samples at the stone circle, Claire falls through the cleft in the main stone and is transported back in time to 1743. Upon moving away from the stone circle, Claire immediately runs into a battle between a group of local Highlanders, and British officers led by the sadistic Jonathan Wolverton Randall. Randall, who demonstrates an amazing physical similarity to his six-times great-grandson Frank, assaults Claire, but she is rescued by Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, one of the Highlanders, who are cattle-raiding in the area. Clair, a very strong and clever woman, who has had to think quickly and to improvise as a war nurse, recognizes, after a few hours, that she is a long way and time from 1945 Inverness. Although in shock and frightened, she uses her medical training to help the injured Scotsman Jamie Fraser, a handsome young man, about 4 years younger than Claire. Claire's medical skills earn her a place at Castle Leoch, seat of the MacKenzie clan. Laird Colum MacKenzie is Jamie's uncle and learns of Claire's extraordinary healing skills. He makes her the official healer of Leoch, and a guest, but she is a veritable prisoner there. Clan members and leaders alike believe that she is a British spy. And Claire feels hopeless as she is not able to travel to the stones to try to return to her own time. Claire and Jamie grow close. While not divulging her time travel secret, she is able to talk easily with him. And then there is the fact that the braw highlander is not only a treat for for the eyes, but he is gentle, kind, an exceptional warrior, and has a great sense of humor. He also has an education provided by an excellent tutor when he was a lad. The two, despite the centuries which separate them, find much in common.I do not want to provide any "spoilers" to those who are not familiar with the wonderful historical novel. There are some changes in the film, although the script stays close to the book's narrative. Let it suffice to write that the novel "Outlander" has provided me with an outstanding reading experience and still does. But the film version touched me more. The characters are perfectly cast. Jamie, played by Sam Heughan, is ideal for the part. A large, handsome and muscular man, everything he feels towards Claire: tenderness, friendship, lust, love, shows in his eyes, which are a beautiful blue. One can see that he is attracted to Claire almost immediately from the start of the film. In the beginning, there is a scene when the clan members who "saved" her from the "Lobster Backs," has Claire tending Jamie's wounds. She begins to cry. She is no ninny, by any means, but the events of the last few days have totally overwhelmed her. As Jamie holds her and comforts her the look in his eyes says that there might be something more here than just a sexual attraction. I find Jamie/Sam Heughan to be a kinder, more expressive hero in the film that in the book - and I am very surprised by this. Claire, is played to perfection by Caitriona Balfe. The actress's Claire is beautiful, feisty, strong, wise in the ways of the world, even if the world she is visiting is not her own. Ms. Balfe truly makes this story her own and does so in a most captivating manner. Tobias Menzies plays two different roles here, as Frank Randall, Claire's loving husband, and also as Frank's sadistic ancestor. Mr. Menzies role is very difficult as he has to play characters of opposite temperaments, sometimes in a single day of filming. Gary Lewis is an extremely wise & savvy Laird of the MacKenzie clan, although he is crippled and his brother, Dougal MacKenzie, (Graham McTavish ), must stand in for him as War Chief and as collector of the clan's rents. Dougal is an extremely strong and fascinating character. There is also much comic relief here - Anghus Mhor, (Stephen Walters) and Rupert MacKenzie, (Grant O'Rourke) are very funny macho man who, unhappily, perform their task of keeping an eye on Claire. Dear to my heart is the gruff Murtagh Fraser, (Duncan Lacroix), who is Jaimie's godfather. He obviously loves the young man dearly, in his own taciturn way. The rest of the supporting cast is excellent. I was taken back in time and fell in love, or hate, with many characters.The 1st season of "Outlander" is made up of 16 episodes, one more enthralling than the next. Producers Ronald D. Moore, Jim Kohlberg, and David Brown did a wonderful job bringing this story to life.Again, I feel a bit strange saying that I enjoyed the film more than the extraordinary book. Call me crazy. 10 Big STARS!!!JANA

This was an impulse watch when I had a free weekend of Starz. I had seen a few little snippets of it in Entertainment Weekly and I had heard of the longstanding book series. I started the first episode "Sassenach" thinking this was a simple dramatic story with bits of history thrown in here and there. The heroine seemed pretty, smart, and feisty, and the leading man an atypical beefy stud. When the episode ended I was intrigued and so I naturally followed to the next. As I continued to watch I noticed many things....this is not any ordinary show. I watch A LOT of television programming and will give ample opportunity to grow my interest. I also have not read the source material and was coming to the show with a complete blank slate. Yes, there is history, drama, action, and romance...but there was a roundedness to these characters and a complexity to the show that is not often seen on television. Adapting a book is not easy and if done well can enhance the story in a way not possible with the book. This is where Outlander truly shines. The characters maintain a charm and ease that is rarely found in a "genre show". They also have a depth and humanity that I feel gets brushed off. This is not typical for a "period" drama. Most of the time we can only count on action and thrills to keep our attention but some of the most compelling scenes are when the characters are just sitting and talking with each other. For example, in "Garrison Commander" the already introduced character of Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall is flushed out and in an episode that primarily takes place in 1 room for nearly 45 of the 60 minutes. During a conversation between he and Claire, moments of flashback allow us to explore his perspective and character and the result is polarizing and stunning. Just these two actors having a conversation is mesmerizing. Both of them are outstanding and at this point, the view realizes they aren't watching just any ordinary show. The actors on this show are phenomenal. The writing and directing really enhance these performances and give them SO much to work with it is incredible that anyone would pass them off as anything other than top of their game, truthful, and outstanding artists. This goes most especially to those playing Claire, Jamie, and Black Jack. The nuance and honesty is unparalleled. Do not underestimate what is to come..... I must also expound upon the innovation within this show. Meaning, they find new ways of exploring storytelling and delivering top-notch episodes. One example is "The Wedding". It happens to be both written and directed by women (Anne Kenney and Anna Foerster) who through the use of flashback, take us to the first moment post-wedding and bring us through the 'wedding night' using flashback to tell the story leading up to the moment they are there. This also allows us to explore their unfolding relationship and in the present moment about 90% of the show is told in one room during the honeymoon. Not only is an intimacy and honesty explored and shown to us, we witness an ethereal memory-play that is both raw and sexy. No holds are barred. We see two people really getting to know, explore, and enjoy each other. Tasteful, but graphic nudity displays sex in a way we've never seen on television. We see the characters through each other's eyes and feel the love blossoming. This show is not a disappointment. The special features take you into the creative process and make you long for MORE insight into this amazing show. "Garrison Commander" is a game-changer and each subsequent episode brings something new and amazing to the table. Buy it, watch it, and then watch it again and again. This is a show unlike any other.Blu-ray™ Bonus Features:DISC 1:· 11 Deleted Scenes· Three all-new featurettes:o "Outlander: An Epic Adaptation"o "Authentic in Design: The Dresses & Kilts of Outlander"o "Casting Outlander"DISC 2:· 10 Deleted Scenes· Three all-new featurettes:o On Location: Castle Leoch and the Magic of Scotlando Emerging a Scot: Cast Goes to Bootcampo Walk Through the Sets and Stages with Ronald D. Moore***The deleted scenes are found within the Episode Guide and can be accessed individually. They are past the Play & Play w/Recap.***

Good product

Bellissima serie

Para quien haya leído el libro como es mi caso, la puesta en pantalla no me ha defraudado en absoluto. Los actores estupendamente elegidos y los paisajes, trajes y ambientación en general han respetado totalmente la novela. Lo mismo digo para la segunda parte. Ya los he visionado 2 veces.

Brilliant?

Porque la serie Outlander escrita es apacionante y reunes Historia, Fantasía, conocimientos y romance. Muy buena y deseamos se siga editando la Temporada II y las que vengan. Y que Amazon nos la anuncie.Gracias