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Alan Bleasdale’s G.B.H. [1991] is a darkly humorous epic about power, corruption and madness--played out in the conflict between an enigmatic politician, Michael Murray (Robert Lindsay), and his nemesis, schoolteacher Jim Nelson (Michael Palin). Nelson defies a Murray-inspired 24-hour strike and inadvertently steals the limelight when it is picked up by the press. While Murray seeks revenge in what is initially a one-sided fight, we slowly discover the secrets in his past that will cause his carefully constructed world to unravel. Then, just when the pressure of public life and power games start getting on top of him, a beautiful woman arrives on the scene…
Synopsis
When the politically ambitious Michael Murray meets headmaster, Jim Nelson, their lives are changed forever.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 72 people found the following review helpful
By elamgar
Format:DVD
One of the greatest examples of television drama, Alan Bleasdale's masterpiece has lost none of its power in the 15 years since first broadcast and----while Michael Palin and Lindsay Duncan have moved on to projects that highlighted their talents better---Robert Lindsay has never come close to even equalling, let alone eclipsing, this work. His portrayal of Michael Murray---sometime Derek Hatton, sometime Dr Strangelove, sometime victim---is perfect, making an unlikeable, corrupt bully completely sympathetic to the viewer.
If this was being made today, it would be six episodes of 50 minutes. In 1991, it was seven parts of uneven lengths, allowing even the peripheral characters the opportunity to shine. Politically, it may be a Guardian reader's wishful thinking----a liberal fable, like much of The West Wing. Dramatically, it's almost Dickensian with its characters and Shakespearean with its plot.
Michael Palin shines as the epitome of decency; Lindsay Duncan is her usual luminous perfection; and Robert Lindsay is just fantastic in the role of a lifetime. Sterling work by a marvellous cast, with particular praise for David Ross's Mr Weller and Philp Whitchurch as Franky Murray.
This is the kind of thing we do best---playing to our strengths, with our own cultural references and no concerns about how it will be sold to the US. If you like British drama, buy this. I didn't use the word "masterpiece" lightly.
If this was being made today, it would be six episodes of 50 minutes. In 1991, it was seven parts of uneven lengths, allowing even the peripheral characters the opportunity to shine. Politically, it may be a Guardian reader's wishful thinking----a liberal fable, like much of The West Wing. Dramatically, it's almost Dickensian with its characters and Shakespearean with its plot.
Michael Palin shines as the epitome of decency; Lindsay Duncan is her usual luminous perfection; and Robert Lindsay is just fantastic in the role of a lifetime. Sterling work by a marvellous cast, with particular praise for David Ross's Mr Weller and Philp Whitchurch as Franky Murray.
This is the kind of thing we do best---playing to our strengths, with our own cultural references and no concerns about how it will be sold to the US. If you like British drama, buy this. I didn't use the word "masterpiece" lightly.
44 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By R. Fox
Format:DVD
This is one of a select few British dramas that is a genuine classic. Alan Bleasdale's writing has the range you'd expect but it's the casting that seasls its place. Michael Palin is superb as Jim Nelson the quiet schoolteacher with the steely resolve, with Lindsay Duncan also superb. The supporting cast of Bleasdale regulars such as Julie Walter, Tom Georgeson and Andrew Schofield also excel, but none of them can match the virtuoso performance of Robert Lindsay as corrupt Labour council leader Michael Murray.
Loosely based on Derek Hatton, his character's gradual disintegration as his carefully built facade comes crashing down around him is one of the all time great comic drama performances in this multi-layered critique of the loony left and the shadowy figures in the margins of British politics.
The plot is superbly constructed, written and acted with the right mix of comedy, drama, tension and tragedy. At this price it's unmissable, and is worth it for episode 4 alone where Murray's desperate antics are surreally set off by a Dr. Who convention.
Genius.
Loosely based on Derek Hatton, his character's gradual disintegration as his carefully built facade comes crashing down around him is one of the all time great comic drama performances in this multi-layered critique of the loony left and the shadowy figures in the margins of British politics.
The plot is superbly constructed, written and acted with the right mix of comedy, drama, tension and tragedy. At this price it's unmissable, and is worth it for episode 4 alone where Murray's desperate antics are surreally set off by a Dr. Who convention.
Genius.
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A fantastic drama from the pen of Alan Bleasdale, richly deserves to be listed amongst the greats of TV dramas series such as Edge of Darkness and The Singing Detective.
Pretty much faultless performances from everyone involved, especially Michael Palin and Robert Lindsay. The emotional involevement is tremendous and extremely rewarding for the viewer. The storyline is multi-layered as are the first class characters.
A must see. Brilliant.
Pretty much faultless performances from everyone involved, especially Michael Palin and Robert Lindsay. The emotional involevement is tremendous and extremely rewarding for the viewer. The storyline is multi-layered as are the first class characters.
A must see. Brilliant.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Political drama at its best
A Story of its time that stands the test of time. A fitting memory to the divisions of the 1980s
Published 20 days ago by Dave - Aberdeen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely good watching
I saw this series on the telly when it first came out, and have always to see it again, mainly because of Michael Palin, but it's worth seeing for ALL of the actors. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Fran
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brits were once the best in the English speaking world at TV drama
GBH [DVD] [1991] Alan Bleasdale's GBH is brilliant, but then so much of what we in Britain produced from the Seventies through to the Nineties was superior to American TV drama. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Nabil Shaban
5.0 out of 5 stars
MAGNIFICIENT EPIC DRAMA
GBH is wonderfully taut, entertaining, deadly serious yet brilliantly humorous; typical Bleasdale.
Palin describes his role as 'the most serious acting I have ever done'; and... Read more
Palin describes his role as 'the most serious acting I have ever done'; and... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Hunter S Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
GBH
GBH, is one of Alan Bleasdale classic's, which i just had to have in my collection of DVD's just to watch over and over again.
Published 18 months ago by B. from Chorley
5.0 out of 5 stars
it`s a pity they don`t make them like this anymore
GBH was as good if not better the second time around. A superb cast and Robert Lindsay and Michael Palin at their very best.
Published on 1 May 2011 by JML.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting and entertaining drama
I thoroughly enjoyed this drama. I thought the rise and fall of Micheal Murray (Robert Lindsay), the Militant leader of the council was interesting, entertaining and... Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2011 by Benjamin Overd
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRILLIANT A MUST SEE ********** 10 STARS
Great story great acting (Robert Lindsey,Micheal Palin,Julie Walters)in fact the whole cast desevre a pat on the back. Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2010 by Stephen
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Television Masterpiece
I often hear how us Brits do not do good drama in the way that the Americans do. 'GBH' gives the lie to these claims and is possibly the best television mini-series I've ever... Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2010 by Spidernick
3.0 out of 5 stars
They wouldn't make it like this today
In a revealing interview, Alan Bleasdale reveals how GBH emerged from what was originally going to be a drama about a family vacation -- the Great British Holiday. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2009 by Gavin Wilson
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