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The House of Cards Trilogy [1990] [DVD]
 
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The House of Cards Trilogy [1990] [DVD]

DVD ~ Ian Richardson
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
RRP: £34.99
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Customers buy this item with The Complete Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister - Collector's Boxset [DVD] DVD ~ Nigel Hawthorne

The House of Cards Trilogy [1990] [DVD] + The Complete Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister - Collector's Boxset [DVD]
Price For Both: £28.76

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The House of Cards Trilogy [1990] [DVD]
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The House of Cards Trilogy [1990] [DVD] 4.7 out of 5 stars (43)
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Product details

  • Actors: Ian Richardson, Susannah Harker, Nicholas Selby, James Villiers, David Lyon
  • Directors: Paul Seed
  • Format: PAL, Subtitled
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 3
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: 2 Entertain Video
  • DVD Release Date: 12 Jul 2004
  • Run Time: 617 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B0001Y9YEI
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 632 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in this category:

    #95 in  DVD > Television > Drama

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

Political drama doesn't get more near the knuckle than Michael Dobbs' House of Cards trilogy, adapted for the screen by Andrew Davies and originally broadcast in the post-Thatcher years of the early 1990s. A splendid dissection of naked ambition, greed and rampant hypocrisy in the corridors of power, the original four-part series House of Cards documents in thrilling detail the rise of Tory Chief Whip Francis Urquhart (magnificent Ian Richardson), a man who likes to "put the stick about a bit" and has unwavering contempt for those with "no background, no bottom". With the downfall of Margaret Thatcher, a bitter internecine power struggle ensues within the Conservative Party. Urquhart schemes more devilishly than Iago to depose Thatcher's colourless John Major-style successor. And even Machiavelli would baulk at Urquhart's methods: any and every act--including murder--are legitimate as the end very much justifies the means. Idealistic journalist Matti Storin (Susannah Harker) becomes embroiled in Urquhart's nefarious plans (and ends up in his bed) as she attempts to question him about what's really going on: "You might think so, I couldn't possibly comment," is Urquhart's mantra of hypocrisy.

In To Play the King, the second part of the trilogy, we find our anti-hero comfortably installed as PM at No. 10 but facing a fresh challenge in the person of the newly crowned King (Michael Kitchen in a pitch-perfect Prince Charles impersonation), who wears his social conscience on his sleeve and publicly opposes Urquhart's hardline policies. With the help of political analyst and new mistress Sarah Harding (Kitty Aldridge), as well as that of his ambitious wife Elizabeth (Diane Fletcher), Urquhart is forced to resort to still more underhand plots. Then, in The Final Cut, we find Urquhart determined to last as long in office as Mrs Thatcher (whose statue, much to his chagrin, is about to be unveiled in front of his window). But ambitions to make a mark on the world stage, as well as his wife's desire to provide themselves a comfortable retirement nest egg, lead him into the choppy international waters of the Cyprus situation. The temptations of corrupt businessmen and his wife's goading might just have pushed Urquhart's luck too far this time.

Throughout, Richardson is a delight as the hypocritical, arrogant patrician who loathes the hoi polloi whose favour he must court at election time, and manipulates all his minions with a ruthless singlemindedness of purpose. However much a monster he seems, though, the viewer might just find themselves secretly admiring his determination and his lion-like strength of will: in contrast to many drab modern politicians, at least he knows what he wants, and makes sure he gets it. If it's strong leadership you want, Urquhart's your man.

On the DVD: The House of Cards trilogy has the three four-part series on three double-sided discs, with two hour-long episodes on each side of each disc. The first episodes come with a commentary from Andrew Davies and Ian Richardson, who share their memories and anecdotes. --Mark Walker



DVD Description

Contains all three titles in the House of Cards trilogy: House of Cards, To Play the King and The Final Cut.

Starring Ian Richardson and Susannah Harker with David Lyon, Nichaolas Selby, James Villiers, Michael Kitchen, Kitty Aldridge, Colin Jeavons, Tom Beasley, Paul Freeman, Diane Fletcher and Isla Blair. Francis Urquhart is a politician seemingly without compassion or compunction who is determined to get to the top – and stay there. As this acclaimed trilogy follows the cunning drama and twists along the corridors of power, the nail-biting suspense intensifies …

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Customer Reviews

43 Reviews
5 star:
 (33)
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 (9)
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (43 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, 22 Jul 2004
The House of Cards Trilogy must surely be rated as one of the best contemporary dramas ever made. Ian Richardson's performance is simply breathtaking, and Andrew Davies' scripts the work of a true genius. As well as the stunning central performance by Richardson, the cast and crew as a whole deserve great praise.

And there's a bonus in the shape of commentaries over the first episode of each of the three series by Richardson, Davies and Producer Ken Riddington, which are both enlightening and at times amusing.

Would I recommend the purchase of this DVD set? You might very well think that...

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35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best, 20 Jul 2004
Everything has been said about the artistic merits of this series. Yes, the acting is fantastic, yes the dialogue is sharp, sarcastic and very eloquent and the characters are just wonderfully entertaining to watch. But there are three main reasons why this series is legendary. First, the actual events overtaking the original broadcast with the resignation of Margaret Thatcher, second, the fantastic Ian Richardson, and third, the direct-to-camera acting of the main character, dragging the audience into his evil deeds. I taped the series when it was broadcast over here in Germany, I bought the tapes from the BBC and finally I own the whole thing on DVD. I know it by heart anyway, because I must have seen it a thousand times, and I'm still not tired of it, because Richardson alone makes this so entertaining.
Although the first installment is widely regarded to be the best, i agree with the first two episodes. They are the best of the whole series, and the finale on the rooftop is just shocking, but the overall best series for me always has been "To play the king" because Michael Kitchen is just fabulous as the monarch and strong opponent to Urquhart. The last series "The final cut" has this air of sadness all through it, and is basically a farewell to Urquharts character. He gets what he deserves for sure, but the viewer is left oddly unsatisfied with the end. It's just sad in my view. Overall it is almost eleven hours of high quality political satire with shocking moments, unforgettable bonmots and the best British acting has to offer.
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34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellence in television, 15 April 2006
By Jason J. Wood - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
The House of Cards saga is a tremendous achievement in television: expert direction including the use of 'piece to camera' monologues, beautifully constructed tension and an acting triumph by the main player, Ian Richardson. If shows like the West Wing capture our ideal politics, then House of Cards drenches it all in filthy water.

It is the story of naked, ruthless ambition in British politics that shows a staggering realism whilst at the same time allowing for dramatic flights of story. Richardson's Urquart is beautifully played, and the character makes me uneasy in the same way that the Shield's Vic Mackey does: you absolutely know he's a villain, he has done despicable things but damn.

My only wish for television these days is that they invest in drama like this: it is a thoroughly watchable drama, and gets the full five stars for being so.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic British drama at its best
This is a highly engaging classic british drama at its best. Ian richardson's acting is first class. The plot is complusive albeit a bit far fetched at times. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bargain hunter

5.0 out of 5 stars Ian Richardson's finest hour
When i was first made aware of the original House of Cards series, i did not think i would like it as i thought the breaking the fourth wall format would not work. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ross

5.0 out of 5 stars House of cards
ONCE AGAIN VERY QUICK SERVICE.
AND A PLEASURE TO DEAL WITH ..
THANK YOU.
PAT
Published 2 months ago by Patrick Carpenter

5.0 out of 5 stars An award-winning amazement!
Anyone interested in learning more about the political scene, and what its like it the background of Westminster, its a must to watch! Read more
Published 2 months ago by S Firth

5.0 out of 5 stars More BBC, more
A look behind the scenes of government - can you believe all that you see? Fast moving story - excellent acting. Don't know how we missed it the first time round. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. J. Challoner

5.0 out of 5 stars oh so believable!
The recent MPs'expenses fiasco makes this DVD unmissable. The intrigue and political revenge and in fighting is brought to the fore in this classic political story of ambition,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Peter Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars House of cards tv series
I missed some of this series when originally aired on tv although caught up again recently when it was run on the Yesterday channel of freeview. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. Elizabeth Mcalpine

5.0 out of 5 stars house of cards
cannot fault delivery and service. A series of the highest quality - acting, suspense, storyline. Will watch over and over.
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. Denise Croker

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant series
Without a doubt one of the best political thrillers of all time. Ian Richardson is simply superb as FU and Susannah Harker as Mattie is just gorgeous. Read more
Published 4 months ago by S. Shields

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the book
This is one of the rare screenings that is better than the book. The plot/s are superb, direction crisp and the performances are faultless by first class actors. Read more
Published 5 months ago by D. L. George

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