Da Vinci's Inquest - Complete First Season

Complete first season of this Canadian series. Vancouver coroners, pathologists and homicide detectives inhabit a murky world as they attempt to solve the mysteries behind the unnatural, accidental, or suspicious deaths committed in the city's back alleys and bedrooms. At times selfless, at times grudging, they all have agendas and history, passion for their work, and ambition for their futures. Charismatic & controversial Coroner Dominic Da Vinci (Nicholas Campbell) is the pivot around which this complex world spins. Album Description

Product is Defective

This DVD does NOT represent the "COMPLETE First Season." This product is defective in failing to include Part 2 of the last episode in the first season. You are left with a cliff hanger, and no resolution. Do not buy this particular DVD [package represented runtime of 598 min]. Packaging was also cheap; arrived broken with one of the discs rattling around loose in the case. January 16, 2008

This Canadian release is shorter than Acorn Media's version.

I'll happily admit my bias upfront. I like this show, and I like what Acorn Media does on DVD. Still, as a born skeptic, I felt compelled to check into the claims that Acorn's release of "Da Vinci's Inquest" Season One was somehow edited from the Canadian versions. What I found was that the Canadian version that some people are praising (as if it was capable of curing cancer) actually clocks in SHORTER than Acorn's release.

By all accounts I've been able to find, the Canadian version lists a run-time of under 600 minutes, while the copy of the Acorn release I've got clocks in at 611 minutes. That's nearly one minute per episode. Again if any version of the program is cut (or "censored" as some maintain), it would clearly seem to be Canadian one that's missing something. As far as claims of language being changed, I didn't hear anything different and I'm pretty sure I read some words in the closed captioning that others might find objectionable.

If people want to express a preference for one version over the other, that's great (it's America after all). However, I don't think it's too much for people to get their facts straight before shooting off their on-line mouths. September 12, 2007

The Real Canadian Deal!!!

This edition, by Alliance Atlantis, is the REAL edition direct from the CBC television broadcasts. Original language, scene selection, and no commercials, it is a TRUE delight to watch. The other edition, with a different cover, by Acorn, is ALMOST the same, but has been "cleansed" for US audiences. Unfortunately, it seems, that Alliance Atlantis will NOT be providing DVD's of this series any longer, or for Seasons 2 - 8. Acorn has, or will have produced the DVD set for Season 2. I will buy it, because ANY Da Vinci's Inquest is better than no Da Vinci's Inquest.

This Canadian-base television detective series is very, very good. And it is amazing habit forming. So be careful, watch it once, and you'll be hooked!!!

I trust and pray that Acorn (or possibly Alliance Atlantis??) will produce the remainder of the series' seasons on DVDs; and exactly as they were broadcast on CBC television. June 26, 2007

A hidden gem...

absolutely true, Barbara Pinzka. Da Vinci Inquest DOES rate up there with Homicide. And I unabashedly adore Homicide.

CBS the network, in its brilliance, has decided to 'broadcast' this show at 1:35am on a Sunday morning, when the audience is at its largest, no? No.

Rather than bump some idiotic reality show or rather than USA pick it up and dump a 700th rerun of Law and Order for its prime time showcasing, this wonderful, WONderful show is hidden in the wee hours of the morning.

I found it by accident and am hooked. Of course, I don't always tape it and so don't know which season I am seeing and am not seeing it in sequence, but I will put it on my future list of DVDs to buy (along with the X-Files and Homicide).

Campbell is outstanding, as are the rest of the actors. I love the extra-extra-shaky handheld camera, and best of all? I LOVE the chirpy street crossing aid that is in EVERY episode! The editors have made no effort to block out street noises -- buses, chirpy noise -- when the characters are on the street.

Brilliant show. Brilliant.

Perhaps one of these days USA will finally deep-six the 900th rerun of Law and Order and showcase this brilliant gem. April 11, 2007

WAY better than most American cop dramas...

Like others who have written reviews on this show, I've found myself hooked. It comes on every Saturday night at about 12:30 and, even though I normally like to go out on Saturday night, I hate missing it. It's difficult to say exactly what it is about this show that pulls you in. But one major thing I love about it is that the writers aren't compelled to neatly wrap-up the loose ends by the time the episode is over. It's a refreshing change and, despite it, I never feel cheated or turned off at the end. Actually, I only feel compelled to see more episodes. As already stated many times, the acting is great, the characters interact very naturally and the dialogue is both realistic and intriguing, but still low-key. You won't see any hysterical over the top acting on this show, which is one of the things I think really sets it apart from many American cop drama shows. It isn't glitzy. To the contrary, it's real and gritty, but not depressing. I have yet to see many episodes but I look forward to seeing more and I hope everyone involved with making this show sees the success they deserve for creating something unique and fun to watch.
September 12, 2006

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