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From Amazon.co.uk
While competing with real-life political scandals is increasingly tricky for television fiction, The Secret State is a twisty, intriguing thriller that does its best to measure up to the real thing. The programme’s trump card is some of its delicious casting. Gabriel Byrne takes the lead role as Tom Dawson, the Deputy Prime Minister of Great Britain caught in the middle of a growing political hurricane. It involves a chemical plant disaster, lots of plotting by shady characters, and an impending national crisis. Joining Byrne is Charles Dance, in a quality supporting role.
The Secret State deals with big themes, and it’s put together in quite a gritty, dark way. It’s consistently entertaining, too, even if the narrative itself doesn’t bear too much close scrutiny. Certainly there are one or two moments where you need to take a leap of faith to stay on board with the programme, but there’s usually something interesting just around the proverbial corner.
The disc release takes a behind the scenes look at the show, although it doesn’t delve too deeply. But it’s still a good package you’re getting for your money here, and The Secret State is worth it for Gabriel Byrne’s work alone. --Jon Foster
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Behind the scenes, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Secret State is a four-part political thriller inspired by Chris Mullin's novel A Very British Coup, delving into the relationship between a democratically elected government, the military and the markets. In the run up to a general election, an accident on Teesside raises awkward questions about the safety procedures of a US petrochemical company, PetroFex. The Prime Minister claims to have secured a compensation package from them, but on his return from PetroFex HQ, his plane crashes in the Atlantic under mysterious circumstances. Deputy Prime Minister Tom Dawkins (Gabriel Byrne) takes the reins and during his quest to find justice and the truth for the victims on Teesside, he uncovers a conspiracy at the heart of the political system. How will he deal with the powers at play? And can he remain that rare thing: a decent, honest man in politics? ...Secret State ( Coup )
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By ekb
Format:DVD
The brilliant four part Channel 4 mini-series Secret State is well worth a look. A remake of a 1988 TV mini series A Very British Coup Secret State manages to do what conspiracy thrillers should do i.e. thrill and keep you gripped.
To be honest I have done a little research about the reactions of others on the internet of all places to see what other people think of the show. I decided to check the legitimate reviewers opinions out of curiosity and aparently they are none too thrilled at this conspiracy thriller citing a lack of 'realism' and aparently the premise is 'ludicrous' and the 'show is out of touch with what is important currently'. Really? Really? With all due respect to these comments what ever happened to a little escapism, you know a show with a nice twisty plot with a conspiracy between a few supervillians. But the critics complain that it is not as good as Homeland; well of course it is not but it is one great enjoyable piece of television none the less.
Gabriel Byrne might play one of the most ludicrous unrealistic characters of all time; a noble politician who manages to become PM but man did I root for him.
Like all good conspiracy thrillers you are gripped and genuinely interested in how it will all end.
Oh and just one more thing that makes this show great; have you checked the cast. Just plain awesome.
You might have noticed that this so called review doesn't mention one single plot detail, well I noticed that after one episode that they had a next time on feature. Watched it and lets say they gave away too much. Really to enjoy twisty little thrillers like this it is best to know as little as possible about the plot so you can concentrate on figureing the plot out and get it wrong along the way.... Read more ›
To be honest I have done a little research about the reactions of others on the internet of all places to see what other people think of the show. I decided to check the legitimate reviewers opinions out of curiosity and aparently they are none too thrilled at this conspiracy thriller citing a lack of 'realism' and aparently the premise is 'ludicrous' and the 'show is out of touch with what is important currently'. Really? Really? With all due respect to these comments what ever happened to a little escapism, you know a show with a nice twisty plot with a conspiracy between a few supervillians. But the critics complain that it is not as good as Homeland; well of course it is not but it is one great enjoyable piece of television none the less.
Gabriel Byrne might play one of the most ludicrous unrealistic characters of all time; a noble politician who manages to become PM but man did I root for him.
Like all good conspiracy thrillers you are gripped and genuinely interested in how it will all end.
Oh and just one more thing that makes this show great; have you checked the cast. Just plain awesome.
You might have noticed that this so called review doesn't mention one single plot detail, well I noticed that after one episode that they had a next time on feature. Watched it and lets say they gave away too much. Really to enjoy twisty little thrillers like this it is best to know as little as possible about the plot so you can concentrate on figureing the plot out and get it wrong along the way.... Read more ›
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. 880
Format:DVD
In Ed Fraiman's latest adaptation of former MP Chris Mullin's political novel, A Very British Coup, conspiracy certainly isn't what it used to be. Back in the 1980s, under its original title, the brilliant Ray McAnally played Harry Perkins in Alan Plater's excellent version, parading a cautionary tale about radical values and what happens to them once you're in power and the men from the ministry get a hold of you. Plater's version had an international context involving the concerns of the day, not least American nuclear missiles on British soil, and this newly rebooted 21st Century story carries that a step further by putting the villainous cast of the 'war on terror' age - multinationals, rogue Middle-Eastern regimes, military chiefs of staff - firmly in the spotlight. But back in the day, the original drama sat side-by-side with other mini-series like Edge of Darkness, Harry's Game and House of Cards while films like Defence of the Realm - which Byrne starred in during the 1980s - The Whistle Blower and then later Hidden Agenda, not only gripped but opened up possibilities about the British state apparatus that wider society, let alone TV/film culture, hadn't dared contemplate before.
This new take on the dark corridors of Westminster is fine, mind you. Gabriel Byrne plays loyal party apparatchik Tom Dawson with a steely-eyed determination, Douglas Hodge is terrific as a drunk and gone-off-the-rails computer hacker and fixer, while Charles Dance could win BAFTAs simply for the way he unbuttons his suit jacket and gives that look of his.... Read more ›
This new take on the dark corridors of Westminster is fine, mind you. Gabriel Byrne plays loyal party apparatchik Tom Dawson with a steely-eyed determination, Douglas Hodge is terrific as a drunk and gone-off-the-rails computer hacker and fixer, while Charles Dance could win BAFTAs simply for the way he unbuttons his suit jacket and gives that look of his.... Read more ›
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is the best thing I've seen on television for ages. Kept me gripped and desperate for the next episode...my only criticism was that the ending was a trifle sudden and left me wanting more. For anybody who missed it or who would like to watch again, well worth buying.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Leslie
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Gabriel Byrne completely lived up to my expectations and was brilliant. I thought the series was very well adapted from the book especially because it updated the circumstances to include situations which have come to light since the book was written. Yet another excellent BBC series.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By L. Griffiths
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I watched this drama on tv and found it gripping, keeping you guessing until the end. I purchased the DVD as a gift for a relative who lives in the US and misses UK shows.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By smokyashton
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
this film lived up, almost, to my full expectations - following on, so to speak, from Defence of the Realm and A Very British Coup. The plot unfolded well and led on to a quite plausible conclusion. But, and there are two of them, Gina McKee was not at all convincing as THE Investigating Journalist - we tolerated her in Friends of the North and in Notting Hill no complaints but in Secret State, miracle of miracles, she has the ear and mobile number of the PM but how ? why ? doing what ? Unconvincing. The second "But" relates to dear Gerald's closing speech - starts very well, but, in the end, doesn't match that of "A Very British Coup". Buy the DVD, watch it, enjoy it but go and make a cup of tea for the last 5 minutes.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By joy e cregg
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this dvd for my husband who gets through dvd's like their going out of fashion. He loved this dvd and said the story was really gripping.
Worth buying.
Worth buying.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb Political Thriller
For those who missed the TV series (and even those who didn't) a must see - even better without the adverts. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Anthony C Dawson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!
This was everything I had hoped for in a thriller based on A Very British Coup. Wonderful cast, good use of current sociopolitical economic issues. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Symonne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
I confess. I purchased this only because of Gabriel Byrne. I have all his movies and TV shows on DVD. (All that have been released.) This series is excellent. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Prospero's Daughter
5.0 out of 5 stars
BOUGHT AS A PRESENT.
this DVD was bought as a present so I hope they love it, it was on their wish list. good delivery as usual from Amazon and a good price.
Published 3 months ago by Sheila Townson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very good thriller and well acted
I saw the first two episodes on TV then missed the rest, but now I can see it all. Cannot wait
Published 3 months ago by Mr John Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant DVD Series
This was a good complex thriller. Well acted kept the attention. Easy to want to watch it more than once
Published 3 months ago by Magpie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thought-provoking and interesting show
The impact of the dialogue would be so much better if the more of the power of the English language had been used instead of the overly frequent use of expletives. Read more
Published 3 months ago by D. Newton
4.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling show diminished by an apparent rush to the denouement
I really liked the first film/TV adaptation of Chris Mullin's book, A Very British Coup. This TV play, the second adaptation of Mullin's book is also very good viewing, with some... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Rick Godwit
4.0 out of 5 stars
VERY INTERESTING THRILLER
This makes a refreshing change - an adult and gripping thriller which takes its time and treats the audience intelligently. Read more
Published 4 months ago by dandelion
3.0 out of 5 stars
SECRET STATE
A GOOD POLITICALL THRILLER DIRECTLY REFLECTING TODAYS SOCIETY BOTH BY COMMERCE AND POLITIANS WELL WORTH WATCHING PARTICULARLY WITH THE ABSENCE OF ADERTISIG.
Published 4 months ago by iansmith
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