JACK IRISH, SET 1

If you listen carefully, you can decipher the dialogue. In most instances it isn't the accent, but Australian idioms which cause confusion. It does take patience and practice--but the adventure is rewarding. The more you watch and listen, the better your understanding. Problem with the BluRay edition of "Bad Debts", the sound is out of sync with the picture. It is difficult to watch the delay between facial reaction and the dialogue. It becomes ridiculous when gunshots are added to the disconnect. Poor editing. No problems encountered with the second feature "Black Tide". Stories are convoluted but interesting with Jack as a heroic character with strengths and weaknesses. He is dogged, but no super hero. Refreshing. Supporting characters are interesting and well developed. All of that makes for superior drama. Better than almost anything on American TV.

I love Guy Pearce and Australia in general but this did not really cut it for me despite the 2 fine acting leads. It was just too Australian in some ways. There were lots of references that might be lost on the average viewer outside of Oz. The accent was so hard at times I was grateful for the subtitles, and I have spent time there and have relatives who live there.It also needed a bit more edge-the pacing was a leisurely as the old horses they keep buying as the 'sideline' story that happens in each episode. Still, it's better than most commercial TV and at least he doesn't drink himself into a coma every episode.

I am big fan of Guy Pearce.  The Proposition [Blu-ray ],  Memento (10th Anniversary Special Edition) [Blu-ray ], and  L.A. Confidential [Blu-ray ] rank up there with the best in movie entertainment.  Jack Irish, Set 1 [Blu-ray ] is an Australian-produced film-noire that has an interesting story and some great action and steaming bedroom scenes. Good supporting actors and a crystal-clear video round out the worthwhile drama. BUT, holy mackerel! What on earth is up with the Australian vernacular?? I was compelled to use the sub-titles to have a chance at following the dialogue. Not my first choice, but thank goodness they are available. You're going to need them unless you speak "down-under" (Probably what they would say about an American production like  The Sopranos: The Complete Series . Still, this comes recommended and I am looking forward to new episodes and expanding my vocabulary.

I am a lover of many kinds of noir. Particularly Scandinavian noir like the original Bridge, Beck and Wallander. However, this Australian series is one of my favorites. Perhaps we could call it Australian neo-noir. The acting, writing, and direction is exquisite. Guy Pierce makes the rumpled world weary protagonist all the more lovable and Aaron Pedersen is as always wonderful. The entire cast is fantastic. I recommend that you start with the Jack Irish movies and then watch the TV series. These are so good I watch them every year!

Peter Temple's excellent Jack Irish mysteries are given a first-class treatment in these Australian made-for-TV films. (There are two in this set.) The pluses are overwhelming: the plots are simplified a bit but not dumbed down, the actors really fit the roles (Pearce in particular is great), the production values are top-notch, and the atmosphere is genuine Melbourne. The only downside is really half my own: that the accents are so authentic that my American ear has trouble following them at times. I use the 10-second rewind button a lot! This set is a gift to those of us who believe Peter Temple is one of the finest crime fiction writers alive, and who await his next book.

WHILE I DON'T FULLY COMPREHEND A "HERO" WHO CANNOT FIGHT AND REFUSES TO CARRY A GUN WHILE AT THE SAME TIME STICKS HIS NOSE INTO EVERYONE'S BUSINESS, INCLUDING OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS -- AND HE NEVER RESOLVES ANYTHING HIMSELF. HE IS JUST ONE LUCKY DUDE. AT THE SAME TIME HE IS PERSONABLE AND FUN TO WATCH AS HE NAVIGATES THROUGH WELL WRITTEN STORIES AND SOMEHOW COMES OUT ON TOP. ENTERTAINING WITH HIGH PRODUCTION VALUE, I WOULD RECOMMEND THESE MOVIES AND THE 1 SEASON OF SHOWS FOR ANY MYSTERY FAN. SORT OF JIM ROCKFORD GOES TO IRELAND WITH A WELL ROUNDED SUPPORTING CAST.

Not satisfied with description not stating that you'll need to buy more...so cheap was not really cheap enough since I'll be buying the others and I already HAVE this one! Jack IRISH is great t.v. though. Better than most US, and even some UK!

My husband and I watched Set 1 over the weekend. Not 100% we will order any more in the series although we like Guy Pearce and the characters. Our problem is understanding the accents of some of the actors. Some are rather heavy, and it made a difference in our understanding the plot. We frequently looked at each other quizzically and asked, "what did they say?" Felt like someone who is deaf! Never had a problem before like this with any other series.

Bad DebtsJack Irish is an Australian thriller, with Jack Irish played by Guy Pearce. After losing his wife he quits his job as a lawyer and turns to doing odd jobs. When an old client is murdered he starts digging into what happened and is the way with thrillers discovers more than he bargained for.As well as the investigation itself there's other threads bubbling away in the background, the horse racing thread stands out as it has a couple of fun characters. Pearce does a good job with the main characters and the story progresses well.It's not an action based thriller, which I liked, sometimes it's nice just to watch an investigation unfold.Worth a watch.Black TideBlack Tide is another film starring Guy Pearce as Jack Irish, a part time investigator who gets himself caught up in another investigation. As before he finds himself in over his head. He's a fun character to watch in action and again it's good to watch the investigation unfurl without unnecessary excitement.The same background characters from the first film are back. The youth club in the pub, the dodgy horse racing pair.All in all a fun watch.

Noir, suspenseful, smart with a sharpness that kept me engaged. Sort of the wounded Dick Francis character who goes the distance and becomes more than the plot. Guy Pearce plays the role so well that you follow his eyes and thoughts more than stare at his great good looks. I am so happy I found this series. Jack Irish ... and Worricker, another great character ... have my full attention. And repeat viewing doesn't lessen the impact.

Having read the books I could not wait to get this DvD and was not disappointed. The cast chosen to represent the characters are perfect, the Aussie settings and accents are great, the stories and subplots are original and quirky and please please can we have some more.

Really recommend this Oz series, most excellent acting and a glorious set of story lines. There are some hidden Gems that have never seen International release that were made for TV in Australia. Hopefully they will be picked up for general release Jack Irishwill sure help find a fan base.

Some of the best TV I've watched in recent years have come from Australia, this series is brilliant. More please.