Being executively produced by Martin Scorsese, winner of eight Emmy awards and nominated for eighteen, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire seems to be proving to be a big fish in the small pond of mundane stateside television drama that’s hitting our screens lately, so its understandable this months release of The Complete First Season on DVD and Blu-Ray comes with much anticipation.

Set during Prohibition in the 1920’s we find Enoch Thompson doubling as charming Atlantic City politician by day and crooked Bootlegger by night. Staking his claim as the would-be ‘Emperor’ of the Boardwalk, Steve Buscemi’s ‘Nucky’ is joined by impressive co-stars that include Michael Pitt as the cool-headed Jimmy Darmody and Kelly MacDonald as the desperate Irish widower Margaret Schroeder.

Notable performances abound throughout the entire season including that of Michael Shannon as the determined Agent Van Alden and Shea Whigham’s Eli Thompson but it is Steve Buscemi who seriously steals the show. In a simply superb made-to-fit role, the esteemed actor seems to revel in the part.   

Both visually stunning with jaw-dropping set designs coupled with prestige actor performances due to it’s impeccable casting, Boardwalk Empire is set to be a long runner. The anticipation of more focus on Stephen Graham’s Al Capone in upcoming season’s alone is enough to excite. This is tense drama laced with bloody violence and erotic interludes. No family viewing here!

DVD Extras

Both the DVD and Blu-ray offerings are packed with behind-the-scenes specials and audio commentaries including the Making of Boardwalk Empire and Creating the Boardwalk featurettes. Boardwalk Empire: The Complete First Season is released January 9th 2012.