A series chronicling the daily activities of an unusual prison facility and its criminal inhabitants.A series chronicling the daily activities of an unusual prison facility and its criminal inhabitants.A series chronicling the daily activities of an unusual prison facility and its criminal inhabitants.
- Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
- 16 wins & 56 nominations total
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe arm that is being tattooed in the opening credits belongs to series creator Tom Fontana. The tattoo artist kept retracing his needle work so the crew could get the best take. Eventually the artist stopped saying that he "can't let this guy bleed anymore."
- GoofsThroughout the series, the large black-and-white rose tattoo on the back of Miguel's hand alternates between being on his right hand and on his left.
- Quotes
[repeated line]
Agamemnon "The Mole" Busmalis: This is the best Miss Sally ever.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 51st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1999)
Featured review
The stature of this program must be measured in the context of its format. These are not feature films, but one hour dramas, no different in concept or constraint from countless other network counterparts. But, oh how different in result.
Oz is not for everyone. It is violent, lurid, obscene, profane and controversial. Oz us narrated dramatically by a "Greek Chorus" of inmates who make insightful observations not just about Oz, but applicable to the outside world as well. The talent, none of it marquee, is nonetheless the finest assembly of supporting actors an ensemble cast could hope for.
In order to keep ratings up, the stories sometimes veer into the unbelievable, but the grit and reality are never gone for long. Oz is also a bundle of irony. Although it deals with homosexuality with insight and objectivity in every episode, it just as often bristles with gratuitous homoerotic overtone. Despite the fact that it overflows with action and violence, it never mistakes kenesis for story.
Sometimes, Oz borders on, and crosses well into, genius. Its often surreal direction elevates otherwise base events to sublime levels. Music, pacing, convoluted story lines careening and intersecting in ways that are at the same time graceful and clumbsy, just like real life.
This is said to be the last season of Oz, and yet, only two seasons are on DVD. With constant reruns and each episode being aired about a dozen times a week, you may be tired of this jewel anyway, but its influence will elevate the level of television drama for years to come.
Oz is not for everyone. It is violent, lurid, obscene, profane and controversial. Oz us narrated dramatically by a "Greek Chorus" of inmates who make insightful observations not just about Oz, but applicable to the outside world as well. The talent, none of it marquee, is nonetheless the finest assembly of supporting actors an ensemble cast could hope for.
In order to keep ratings up, the stories sometimes veer into the unbelievable, but the grit and reality are never gone for long. Oz is also a bundle of irony. Although it deals with homosexuality with insight and objectivity in every episode, it just as often bristles with gratuitous homoerotic overtone. Despite the fact that it overflows with action and violence, it never mistakes kenesis for story.
Sometimes, Oz borders on, and crosses well into, genius. Its often surreal direction elevates otherwise base events to sublime levels. Music, pacing, convoluted story lines careening and intersecting in ways that are at the same time graceful and clumbsy, just like real life.
This is said to be the last season of Oz, and yet, only two seasons are on DVD. With constant reruns and each episode being aired about a dozen times a week, you may be tired of this jewel anyway, but its influence will elevate the level of television drama for years to come.
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 4:3
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