Carnivale: Season 1 [DVD] [2003]

I am a big fan of TV Series/Mini-Series and have seen my fair share from comedy/war/drama/sci-fi/supernatural generes. Carnivale is without a doubt THE BEST series I have seen in my 40+ years. The story line is gripping, the acting superb (not totally unexpected with actors from such great films as The Shawshank Redemption & The Green Mile) and the visual/sound quality excellent. Definitley not a series for the kids, but if you enjoy religious/supernaturnal themes and are not easily shocked by violence and controversial subject matter I can unreservedly recommend this series. I have just completed watching series 1 and starting series 2. 12 episodes per series of approximately 50 minutes each with no slow spots or 'fluff' to draw out the story line. Each main character is unique and intersting and the carnivale freaks add extra interest. It is a shame that the series did not run for it's intended 6 seasons because this is pure quality viewing. I can only guess that the subject matter was too touchy for TV executives to support the series beyond the 2 seasons we have been graced with. Incest, paedophillia, prostitution, homosexuality, suicide, physical deformity - these don't sit well with some, so be warned. If you are opened minded and curious, do yourself a favour and buy both series of this outstanding production.

This series is fairly old, I think it was originally shown in 2003 but somehow I must have missed it when it first came out. I bought series one just to see if I would like it as it was fairly inexpensive for 12 episodes. However, I enjoyed series one so much that I ordered series two after only watching a couple of the episodes. The series is set in the 1930s and set within a travelling carnival. There are numerous characters that you quickly grow to like - and the obvious few baddies that get your hackles up. I always found that after watching one episode I wanted to see the next one. However, the storyline is fairly slow paced and if you had been watching this on the TV at one episode a week you might have given up on it. But having the series means that you can watch them at your own pace without losing momentum. If you like fast paced action series then this one probably isn't for you. A but a lot of the time is spent building up the characters involved and the storyline around how the central character, Ben Hawkins, is looking to find his father. I found it a fascinating insight into what life might have been like during that era and more especially for people living and working in a carnival during that time.

I was introduced to this by a friend, who told me to 'stick with it' through the first episode. Good advice! The pace of storytelling is slower than we may be used to in many shows, but the characters are complicated and compelling, and the dialogue leaves gaps, clues and mis-directions for the viewer to think about. The first episode I found a bit slow - but after that, I was absolutely hooked. The visual and production values of this series are extraordinary. It is a joy to watch, it so clearly conjures up its environment and the times. All in all an absolute triumph. I loved the first series wholeheartedly, and found myself wondering what was going to happen - and who was the 'hero' and who the 'villain'. Have to confess, not as keen on series 2 (though still enjoyable) but would repeat my friend's advice to everyone - stick with it through episode 1 and it will repay you - and then some.

I watched the first season with my partner and we were mesmerised from the start. The tension builds from the first scene right to the very last, 12 episodes later, with tremendous acting, characterisation and story-line. We knew that Ben, the lead character, was special in some way and boy, is he special, but he's not the only one with strange powers. Of course, we had to get hold of the second series and watched all 12 episodes, night after night. How sad are we? We're only sad that there is no more! Come on HBO, you have got to commission a third series! Absolutely brilliant. There's nothing else like it on the box.

I bought both series of this after reading a bit about it and I'm so glad I did - I am totally hooked! If you like anything that's mysterious, magical and a little bit dark you will love it! I agree with the comments some reviewers have made that the pace is a little bit on the slower side, but please don't mistake this for it being boring as it's quite the opposite, the pace builds the tension and will just leave you more and more intrigued. I'm really disappointed only two series of Carnivale were made, but I know I will watch series one and two again and again. If like me you're completely disenchanted with all of the rubbish soaps and reality TV dross clogging up the schedules do yourself a favour and watch something a bit different!

This made for Tv series from 2003 is a dark fantasy mystery set in a travelling freak show come carnival and takes place in the Depression-era Dust Bowl between 1934 and 1935. The first episode sees Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl) evicted unceremoniously from his farmstead upon the death of his mother and is taken in by a passing carnival. A second story arc follows Brother Justin Crowe (Clancy Brown), who has prophetic visions. As the series progresses both men become aware they have strange powers, but what are they and where will it lead. The first episode opened strongly stating it was a battle between good and evil insinuating it would be filled with mythology while the ‘freak-show’ angle suggested a large cast of alternative characters with varied abilities, but the pace was a little slow [lose a *], ultimately causing viewing figures to drop by 1/3 for the second episode. The visual accuracy of the series is undeniable and the characterisation becomes so deep and multi faceted that the actual plot and mythology seems to be side-lined making the middle of the series quite plodding and tiring work [lose a *] never really getting anywhere until the series finale. Each of the 6 discs carries 2 episodes with the following features; a series index and making of documentary or commentary, the language selection is audio [5.1 default, or 2.0 in English, Francais or Magyar] while subtitles are in 14 languages, mainly European]. Selecting the episode goes to a plot summary. With scenes of attempted rape, graphic suicide attempts, shootings, death, ghosts, themes of prostitution, murder and some full frontal nudity and use of the F word, this will offend some viewers. It has similarities to the much later ‘Heroes—season 4 volume 5 [2009]’ with a ‘Twin Peaks’ feel but lacks the haunting music and it’s overtly surreal world.

so creepy that i threw it away in the garbage can, didnt even want it in the house.

This box-set as a standalone purchase has nothing wrong with it, be it package or content. But beware! The story/production/acting is SO good, that you'll get hooked. So, you'll buy the Second season too, which has the same merits. Maybe you'll get even more hooked, and TAHT is where the bad news come along... The production was so top-notched that it became quite expensive, so HBO decided to discontinue the series. Now, they say that they belive that the series have an adequate ending as it is, but boy are they lying! Just when the gears have been set in motion for a big finale, the confrontation of the two main antagonists has just started, just as it's been revealed to us what they truly are, what are the powers that be, and what's at stake... THE END. Not even a special feature length episode to wrap things up, for those of us who where invested in the characters and the lore. Shame, HBO, for you have given us many fine series to shine out there. Shame...

An der Serie stimmt alles. Tolles Setting, tolle Schauspieler, wunderschöne Bilder und eine tolle Story. Letztere ist ganz einmalig und nicht vergleichbar mit der anderer Serien. Düster, mystisch, aber auch komplex...Vermutlich zu komplex für den durchschnittlichen Seriengucker. Die Serie wurde leider, leider nach zwei Staffeln abgesetzt. Wer mal etwas andere Serienkost schauen möchte: Kaufen!

serie culte ! que dire, à voir absolument! pour s'evader dans un monde extraordinaire, revivre l'époque des artistes ambulants pendant la crise des années 30 aux US, entre montreurs de monstres et manèges de fête foraine, un jeune homme doté du pouvoir de guérison et de résurrection rejoint la troupe et s'engage dans un combat entre le bien et le mal.

This series sucked me in from the first episode: a relatively "normal" protagonist to identify with, an assortment of circus folk to be fascinated by, an intriguing "management" just out of sight and the broad plains of America's mid-west, dusty and dry and endless. We don't really focus on the townsfolk so begin to see them like the circus troupe must - interchangeable and faceless, there only to be fleeced before the whole thing starts again.

Anfangs hatte ich anhand der Vorrezensionen eine Befürchtung: Hoffentlich keine Serie, wo amerikanischer Evangelikalismus propagiert wird. Doch au contraire, die Darstellung des hervorragenden Clancy Brown als Brother Justin entspricht keineswegs dem Ideal der Founding Fathers. Carnivale ist eine Serie voller "Magie" und starken, aussagekräftigen und charismatischen Charakteren mit Liebe zum Detail. Letztlich taucht man wie in kaum einer anderen Serie in eine Epoche ein. Carnivale ist auch von der Story her eine der komplexesten Serien, die ich kenne und empfehle sie jedem, der anspruchsvolle Serien mag.

Non possiede la lingua italiana, come invece indicato nella descrizione del prodotto. Peccato, perchè l'avrei visto molto volentieri in lingua madre.