DVD Review : Wentworth, Season 1

Critically acclaimed Aussie prison drama Wentworth, Season 1 makes its DVD debut on November 15, 2016 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Fans of the iconic Prisoner series, which pushed boundaries over three decades ago and still boasts a loyal following worldwide today, will remember Bea Smith as gutsy and fearless, ruling Wentworth Correctional Centre with an iron fist. Offering a contemporary reimagining of the Prisoner series, Wentworth stars Danielle Cormack (Xena: Warrior Princess, Shortland Street) as Bea Smith, and co-stars Kate Atkinson (SeaChange, Offspring), Celia Ireland (All Saints), Shareena Clanton (Stone Bros.), Robbie Magasiva (Shortland Street) and Katrina Milosevic (Neighbours, Stingers). At its heart, the character driven drama series is about survival with women living in a pressure cooker environment. Despite the rivalries and power struggles, this family of misfits and rebels are forced to forge unlikely friendships and allegiances if they want to survive their time inside. The 3-disc set features all 10 episodes of the first season, plus a behind-the-scenes featurette (58 min.), crew interviews (17 min.), set tours (24 min.), cast interviews (48 min.), and more ($59.99, AcornOnline.com).

Who was Bea Smith before prison? How did a wife and mother from the suburbs become a top dog without rival? Wentworth is a dynamic, often confronting drama series that begins with Bea’s early days in prison. Set in the present day, it is a modern adaptation of Prisoner that contemporizes legendary characters and their stories for today’s audience. This ten-part first season takes the viewer inside to an uncompromising environment that explores the politics of women in a world without men, and how such a threatening experience both challenges and often changes those confined and working behind the razor wire.

Wentworth originally aired on the Australian network SoHo in May 2013 and was just commissioned for a fifth season in July 2016.
BONUS: Behind-the-scenes featurette (58 min.), crew interviews (17 min.), set tours (24 min.), cast interviews (48 min.), and a photo gallery

Street Date: November 15, 2016 SRP: $59.99
DVD 3-Disc Set: 10 episodes plus bonus – Approx. 470 min. – UPC 054961253395

My Thoughts

In Wentworth, Bea Smith is a women pushed to the edge. When she kills her abusive husband, she finds herself in prison with some pretty tough women. Refusing to let anyone ever hurt her again, this former house wife and mother becomes one of the top dogs at the prison. Season one is broken down into ten exiting episodes.

 No Place Like Home  Domestic violence victim Bea Smith is charged with murder. Almost as soon as she arrives, someone is killed in an riot.

Fly Me Away-  Bea's case gets some media coverage. Liz gives Bea pointers on being a peer worker in the prison.

The Girl Who Waited - Bea gets caught in the middle of two different gangs. Her daughter also comes in to visit. 

The Things We Do - The Deputy Governor Vera holds a media event to talk about an inmates’ progress. There could be trouble when alcohol is based around.

The Velvet Curtain - Franky & Jacs have a growing rivalry. Liz loses her peer role to Doreen. Deputy Governor Erica wants a relationship with an inmate.

Captive - Bea's daughter's future is uncertain as problems arise that are out of Bea's control.

Something Dies - Bea is under Jacs control while Franky is in solitary. Will's wife’s death is still unsolved. 

Mind Games -  Bea fights back after an attack,but while she gets stronger her daughter's situation worsens. 

To the Moon - Bea gets bad news from home,and  tensions grow between the inmate and staff.

Checkmate - A fatal riot breaks out and lots of secrets are revealed.  A great end to the season.

This is a great series about an issue that is very realistic. We hear too often about women who are victims of domestic violence who go to prison when they finally fight back. I look forward to seeing what happens as this series progresses, and I do hope that eventually Bea gets out of prison. Though I never saw the original series in the 80s, I definitely enjoyed this one.  As a huge Xena fan, I was also exited to see Danielle Cormack back on the small screen. If you'd like to check out this new series, you can find it online at Acorn Media or on Amazon.