Just as the Coen brothers are widely tipped for Oscar triumph with No Country for Old Men, all 11 of their earlier feature films are released this week in a box set that's an essential addition to home DVD libraries. Although Ethan, the younger Coen, has only been officially credited as co-director on their two most recent films, the brothers have collaborated closely as writers, directors and editors on all of their movies.

The Coens established a flair for thrillers with their assured debut, the clever modern film noir Blood Simple (1984) and the powerful, operatic gangster movie, Miller's Crossing (1990), featuring outstanding performances from Gabriel Byrne and Albert Finney, and arguably their best film to date.

Their penchant for offbeat comedy has been expressed with terrific wit, style and humanity in such gems as Raising Arizona, Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou? And they have ingeniously blended humour and tension in Fargo (1996), which won Oscars for their screenplay and actress Frances McDormand (pictured above).

The box set is packed with extras, including interviews, trailers and outtakes.