House of Cards Trilogy (House of Cards / To Play the King / The Final Cut)

Amazon.com

Connoisseurs of political chicanery will relish House of Cards, the mordantly funny story of Francis Urquhart (Ian Richardson), a British politician with his eye on the top job. Urquhart is the chief whip of the Conservative Party and his job is to maintain party discipline, or, as he likes to say, "put a bit of stick about." This means that he has intimate knowledge of his colleagues' foibles, knowledge that he uses to further his own political ambitions. Aided by his equally ruthless wife and drawing on a network of accomplices, Urquhart forces the prime minister to resign then sets out to discredit each of his rivals for the party leadership. Although it is strongly cast throughout, House of Cards belongs to Ian Richardson. Without his perfectly balanced performance, Urquhart might have become no more than a two-dimensional villain, but Richardson finds exactly the right tone to make his character as attractive as he is wicked. Thanks to Richardson, and a superb script by Andrew Davies, this brilliant political satire is sure to delight anyone who has wondered what might be going on in the darker corners of our democratic institutions.

In To Play the King, Urquhart appears to have everything he wants. He is the prime minister, he has no immediate rivals, and everyone who knows of his crimes is either on his side or dead. But a new challenge arises when the queen dies and the new king (Michael Kitchen doing a perfect Prince Charles) proves to be a thorn in Urquhart's side. Urquhart may be a staunch defender of the monarchy as a concept, but an individual sovereign is fair game if he proves to be a threat. With a Davies script that pokes fun at British politics and the antics of the royal family as well as a terrific cast led again by Ian Richardson, To Play the King maintains the high standard set by House of Cards.

The Final Cut, the last installment of the trilogy, strikes a more somber note than its predecessors. Urquhart has almost overtaken Margaret Thatcher to become Britain's longest serving postwar leader, but the public is tiring of him and there are rumblings of dissent in the Conservative Party. Urquhart and his wife plot to secure both their place in history and their financial future. Once again, writer Andrew Davies has created a satire to relish, one that confirms all of our doubts about the motives of politicians. Ian Richardson's wonderful performance--filled with sly asides and winks to the camera--makes Francis Urquhart as fascinating as he is wicked, and we find ourselves rooting for this terrible man. The world would certainly be a duller place without him. --Simon Leake

Description

Ian Richardson (From Hell, M. Butterfly) leads an all star cast in this malevolent satire of greed, corruption and ambition in the highest realms of government. As Machiavellian monster Francis Urquhart, he schemes and backstabs his way to the top until he is standing on a pile of broken promises, betrayals and the bodies of those who oppose him. Every step of the way, Urquhart lays out his plans with horrifying wit and venomous charm. But the ranks of his enemies are growing, and they intend to bring him down, whatever the price. Brilliantly adapted by Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones's Diary), from Michael Dobbs's best-selling novel, this satirical trilogy took home a primetime Emmy, a Peabody, two BAFTAs and a Broadcasting Press Guild Award.

Customer Reviews:

pack of cards: history repeats itself.......2007-07-22

very good series. both acted and as an analysis of governments,[and not only british],then,when it was made,and more so now. but then again the author was well connected into the "inner workings". Because of the reaction to the popularity of the first series and the changing of the end i feel there was more of a contrivance to please in the second and third series. the second with it's removal of 'charles' as king and the ascension of 'william' to the throne has a familiar ring to it. In the 3rd series the EOKA Cyprus affair,most who watch would hardly remember the actual history but could compare it with events today. The criticism of British troop behavior in public in Cyprus was correct. I have witnessed first hand that same 'behavior'.
The series reminded me of a dramatic rendering to compare with ANTONY JAY's 'YES MINISTER' AND 'YES PRIME MINISTER' comedic attempts at the same sort of stuff, telling tales out of school. After all Jay was another 'in the know' as the British Prime Minister's son-in-law and Ambassador to DC

From the Bottom of the Deck!.......2007-07-17

What if Shakespeare's Lord and Lady Macbeth had been temporally transported into twenty-first century Britain? They would certainly be reincarnated into the insidious Francis Urquhart and his formidable spouse Elizabeth. In their new personae, 'MacUrquhart' would still be haunted by guilty visions but would shed any qualms about committing murder in the interests of power, and 'Lady MacUrquhart' would waste no more time sleepwalking but sustain her role as the actual but invisible control over the man with titular authority.

The "House of Cards Trilogy," which includes "To Play the King" and "Final Cut," not only portrays such a ghastly scenario, but also demonstrates the disastrous consequences for a post-modern Britain when such a pair first insinuates itself into a position of power and then seizes and maintains an unrelenting grip on that power, even if, in the final analysis, it has to provoke a bloody war to do so. Thanks to Andrew Davies' darkly comedic script, Ian Richardson's brilliant portrayal of Francis, and a splendid supporting cast, the viewer is locked in suspense and held in a state somewhere between laughing and cringing at the political shenanigans, too many of which resound with an uncomfortable ring of contemporary probability.

The humor derives from Richardson as Francis, who ruptures the invisible barrier between illusion and reality by taking the audience into his confidence. In "House of Cards" he does this with such wry wit that viewers are drawn easily into his thrall, so much so that despite their better natures and common sense, they find themselves liking and identifying with this charming unapologetic scoundrel. Somewhere in the middle of "To Play the King," however, they realize, to their increasing horror, that by sharing in his most intimate thoughts, they have actually become co-conspirators in the machinations of Urquhart, who in a literal blink of the eye transforms congeniality into the mesmerizing malevolence of a king cobra. By the time they have become absorbed in the plot of "Final Cut," they are inextricably tied to Urquhart's fate, as on a runaway train. Thus the scenario becomes metaphorical for the public's unfortunate propensity to be seduced by plausible but unscrupulous politicians who draw them into situations that they might not realize are unsupportable until it is too late. The repeated use in "To Play the King" of Urquhart's initials, F.U., illustrates this proposition.

The late Ian Richardson's ability to keep the audience enthralled in the destiny of this despicable rogue testifies to his incomparable subtlety as an actor, who will be sorely missed. The lynchpin of the tale, Richardson is amply supported by an ensemble cast, including Diane Fletcher as his horrific wife; Colin Jeavens as Tim Stamper, his `whip' who wields 'a bit of stick'; Nicholas Grace as Stamper's toadying successor, Geoffrey Booza-Pitt; and Nick Brimble as the sinister Corder. Among Urquhart's memorable victims are Michael Kitchen as the well-meaning king, Susanna Harker as the unstable Mattie Storrin, Kitty Aldrich as the altruistic Sarah, to name only a few. All characters in this cautionary tale are vulnerable to the enticements of power, even those who begin as honest idealists. When Corder informs the nobly motivated Tom Makepeace, who eventually succeeds Urquhart as leader of the party, that "we"--meaning Corder, Elizabeth, and the rest--are "right behind" him, one understands the story's message that all politicians, even those with the best of motives, are liable to being corrupted absolutely by the acquisition of absolute power.

House of Cards is a Great Deal.......2007-07-12

My wife and I had seen the original House of Cards trilogy when first broadcast on PBS in the 90's, and loved Ian Richardson as the evil but charming Francis Urquhart (I think that's spelled right). We'd been meaning to get our own copy of the series, and the issuing of the DVDs, along with his recent death, triggered our order. We just finished watching the entire series, in the space of less than two weeks. We were as anxious to see the next episode as we'd been the first time around. The dialogue is wondrous to listen to - and Urquhart's internal ponderings on the nature of life, politics and passion, and constant asides to the viewer, are often poetic. Richardson's training as a Shakespearean actor is evident in the delivery of every line, but his facial expressions are a revelation. Michael Dobbs, the author of the original novels, was an Parliament insider during the Thatcher years, I believe, and brings realism and unparalleled cynicism to the story (though he didn't do the screenplays). There are shocks and surprises throughout - just when you think things can't get nastier... A final pleasure was that the quality of the DVD recording is excellent; we'd been disappointed with the DVD of the Wilderness Years (the Churchill series of the late 80's), where the audio was almost unlistenable, and the video quality poor. Here, both sound and picture are crisp. Overall, highly recommended - you'll love it, especially at its current price.

House of Cards trilogy.......2007-06-28

The late Ian Richardson plays a charming,suave,gentlemanly snake-in-the-grass....in fact he elevates it to high art.
It is like a modern "Richard III" with all the murder and intrigue that goes with it.Nice to know the USofA hasn't cornered the market on scoundrels in politics.

A great trilogy! You MUST have it!.......2007-06-13

If you like quality stories (like you would see on the BBC) and you like to think and you enjoy a evil villan, this one is for you! The main character is so refined and innocent looking but also so evil - LOVE IT! GET THIS!

Average customer rating:

Would have been good except for the ending
House of Cards
Life's Mysteries

House of Cards
Starring: John Bennes , Michael Horse , Tommy Lee Jones , Joaquin Martinez , and Asha Menina
Director: Michael Lessac
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0006FFRSO
Release Date: 2005-01-18

Product Description

KATHLEEN TURNER (The War of the Roses and Romancing the Stone) and TOMMY LEE JONES (The Fugitive and JFK) star in this powerful story of a mother's devotion that will open your mind and touch your heart.

When Ruth Matthews (Turner) finds that her young daughter has withdrawn from reality, she and a well-meaning doctor (Jones) struggle to come to the aid of the child. But when conventional science appears unable to reach the little girl, Ruth embarks on a journey within herself to unlock the mysteries that hold her daughter captive in this passionate and heartrending tale of a mother's love and a family's determination to heal.

System Requirements:

Running Time 92 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Would have been good except for the ending.......2007-03-24

I won't give the details but the movie starts out rather strong. Asha Menina, who plays "Sally" out-acted all of her more famous adult counterparts -- and a site listed her as being 8 at the time!!! Oddly this is her only credited movie/tv appearance. My wife and I were like "Wow...she can act". However, just as the plot thickens and the movie is getting really good...it ends...with a nice wrapped up in a bow total resolution practically ex deus machina style ending... My wife, teenager and I all looked at each other in disbelief like "that's it?". Other reviewers wondered if the movie was messed with a bit much in post-production. There is probably good reason for that.

House of Cards.......2007-01-13

I found the Story-Line very captivating. Kathleen Turner protraid her character as a Mother coming to grips with a problem "out-of-the-blue" very convincingly.
I could not stop watching.

Life's Mysteries.......2006-03-22

This is an excellent movie for the whole family. It features Kathleen Turner in a mature role and Tommy Lee Jones in a more serious (Less action-figure) role. It deals with loss, grief and how it affects each of us differently. It also shows one family's strength in overcoming their loss in a very unique and intriguing way. I highly recommend this movie to everyone.

"60 Minutes to Winning Blackjack" by the MIT students who 'Brought Down the House'

Average customer rating:

Don't waste your money....
Helpful DVD!
The One
Well Worth the Money
A little disappointing.

"60 Minutes to Winning Blackjack" by the MIT students who 'Brought Down the House'

Manufacturer: Blackjack Institute
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00076TJO0

Product Description

Their exploits have been chronicled in a New York Times bestseller, in magazines, on radio, and on cable and network television. Now, for the first time, the blackjack players featured in the bestselling book, Bringing Down the House, reveal the secrets they used to win millions. "60 Minutes to Winning Blackjack" teaches you how to count cards like a pro. Hosted by former MIT student Mike Aponte, the 2004 World Series of Blackjack Champion, this DVD covers everything from the basics of blackjack to the science and art of card counting. In addition, "60 minutes to Winning Blackjack" contains never before seen interactive practice chapters for players of all skill levels. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned gambler, this DVD is a must for anyone who wants to win at blackjack. Learn how to play a winning game exactly like the MIT students did! "60 Minutes to Winning Blackjack" includes: Blackjack 101, Basic Strategy, Running Count, Deck Estimation, True Count, Betting Strategy, Interactive Practice Chapters, and more!

Customer Reviews:

Don't waste your money...........2005-08-23

...3rd Party product was never received. If you can find it in a store buy it there.

Helpful DVD!.......2005-04-26

I was thinking about buying the whole training course from blackjackinstitute.com, but at over $100 was not sure if it was worth the money - so I decided to try out the DVD portion by buying it first. For $30 it's not much of a risk. From the first time I watched the DVD I was pretty impressed by the quality of the production. Everything is pretty much covered, from the basics of playing blackjack to the techniques of card counting. Everything is explained in pretty simple terms, so it's eaasy to follow, although I did have to rewind a few times. I really like the extras on the DVD, especially where you can practice your counting interactively. I was very slow at first, but I am defninitely improving! About the only complaint I would have about this DVD is that it somehow makes card counting look too easy! Like I said before, it is very easy to follow, especially with all the nice graphics, etc., but that can give you a false sense of security. I've checked some technical stuff they talk about and everything they say is correct. I would recommend watching this DVD (especially the parts on counting) over and over again and practicing. Overall I was impressed by this DVD and was satisfied with my purchase. It's cleared up some confusing/conflicting info that I've read in other books/websites and will go ahead and buy the whole training course. Good luck!!

The One.......2005-03-14

At Last!

This DVD is what I've been waiting for. I've tried a lot of different approaches to blackjack, but with no success. I'm confident those days are over. The MIT Blackjack Team shows you how to play the right way. This DVD does a great job of breaking down and teaching you the fundamentals of
card counting. If you're a frustrated blackjack player looking for answers I highly recommend this DVD.

Well Worth the Money.......2005-02-17

I am a novice when it comes to blackjack but I have always been interested in the game. I have picked up a blackjack book from time to time, but have never been able to finish one. The material always seemed either a little intimidating and difficult to understand, or at times simply boring. I would liken the experience to trying to learn a computer language for the first time by reading a book - a tough task without the interactive experience of a classroom setting. This is why this DVD is invaluable for someone like me. Not only did this DVD teach me in easy-to-understand steps how to play blackjack and count cards, but more importantly it did so in a way that kept me interested the whole way through. The visual demonstrations and exercises in the DVD are really effective. I was also impresssed by the MIT guys in this DVD. They come across as very credible and genuine guys. I highly recommend 60 Minutes to Winning Blackjack. For those interested in learning how to win at blackjack, it's money well spent.

A little disappointing........2005-01-14

Good for beginners or someone that has never played before, but I was looking for something more advanced coming from the MIT team. It doesn't go into any detail of any advanced techniques that I'm sure they used. You would be better off buying a book for a lot less money. I felt I got ripped off.

Charlie Rose with Richard Serra (August 29, 2002)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Richard Serra (August 29, 2002)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000HBL4DO
Release Date: 2006-08-15

Description

A conversation with artist Richard Serra about his art, filmed at the Gagosian Gallery.

House of Cards Trilogy, Vol. 1 - House of Cards

Average customer rating:

To Be Prime Minister
Great British Drama
House of Cards Trilogy
Quality
hatchet job

House of Cards Trilogy, Vol. 1 - House of Cards
Starring: Ian Richardson , Susannah Harker , Miles Anderson , David Lyon , and Malcolm Tierney
Director: Paul Seed
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009MGGP
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Amazon.com

Connoisseurs of political chicanery will relish House of Cards, the mordantly funny story of Francis Urquhart (Ian Richardson), a British politician with his eye on the top job. Urquhart is the chief whip of the Conservative Party and his job is to maintain party discipline, or, as he likes to say, "put a bit of stick about." This means that he has intimate knowledge of his colleagues' foibles, knowledge that he uses to further his own political ambitions. Aided by his equally ruthless wife and drawing on a network of accomplices, Urquhart manufactures a crisis that forces the prime minister to resign. He then sets out to discredit each of his rivals for the party leadership, clearing the way for a rapid and apparently inevitable rise to power. The only possible flaw in Urquhart's master plan is his affair with Mattie Storin, a young journalist who is drawn into his web when he decides she might prove useful.

Although it is strongly cast throughout, House of Cards belongs to Ian Richardson. Without his perfectly balanced performance, Urquhart might have become no more than a two-dimensional villain, but Richardson finds exactly the right tone to make his character as attractive as he is wicked. Like his illustrious predecessor Richard III (House of Cards is filled with references to Shakespearean villains), Francis Urquhart is an irresistible bad guy with a nice line in witty asides to the audience. Even when he is calmly committing murder Urquhart is so charming, so much more clever than his rivals, that it's impossible not to root for him. Thanks to Richardson, and a superb script by Andrew Davies, this brilliant political satire is sure to delight anyone who has wondered what might be going on in the darker corners of our democratic institutions. --Simon Leake

Description

Ian Richardson (From Hell, M. Butterfly) leads an all star cast in this malevolent satire of greed, corruption and ambition in the highest realms of government. As Machiavellian monster Francis Urquhart, he schemes and backstabs his way to the top until he is standing on a pile of broken promises, betrayals and the bodies of those who oppose him. Every step of the way, Urquhart lays out his plans with horrifying wit and venomous charm. But the ranks of his enemies are growing, and they intend to bring him down, whatever the price. Every step of the way, Urquhart lays out his plans with horrifying wit and venomous charm. But the ranks of his enemies are growing, and they intend to bring him down, whatever the price. Brilliantly adapted by Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones's Diary), from Michael Dobbs's best-selling novel, this satirical trilogy took home a primetime Emmy, a Peabody, two BAFTAs and a Broadcasting Press Guild Award.

Customer Reviews:

To Be Prime Minister.......2007-01-30

Francis Urquart is Chief Wip when Maggie Thatcher ends her reign. Francis has been happy with his position and the new Prime Minister has premised a posting. But when the promise proves empty, Francis begins to see his wife's point that he is the most qualified for the position. Not only qualified, but devious enough to secure the position while appearing to be completely loyal.

We then follow Francis as he schemes his way through British politics, the press and his acquaintances. Look for all of the transition scenes showing rats pawing around London. But as cold and calculating as Francis is, he manages to get touched by a young journalist. Will he manage to pull off his secret coup without being found out? Ah, that is left for the viewer.

If Francis succeeds or not is minor. This black comedy is about the doing and not the final goal. It is a voyage and one that is as entertaining as any conceived. The cast is superb and the acting impeccable. While the Parliamentary proceeding has a basis in fact one can only hope that the behind-the-scenes reality not as it is portrayed here. Lovers of black comedy with love this one as Francis Urquart is that wonderful achievement, a villain you love to hate and hate to love. You want him to succeed and fail at the same time. Check it out.

Great British Drama.......2006-07-09

I bought the VHS (cheaper) and just finished viewing this British Drama. It was very good, a different story line and I just ordered the other two tapes in this trilogy. If you enjoy British Drama & Masterpiece Theater, you will enjoy this one. I don't want to give away the ending but I am eager to see the next two. Recommend this very highly, but you must enjoy the British drama, as it is a little different than the ones in the US.

House of Cards Trilogy.......2006-06-30

What a great set! This set made me an Ian Richardson fan. Everything about these shows is wonderful. Plot twists...Character development...Cinematography...all of it. Ian Richardson's character is utterly cold-blooded, relentless and ruthless. And, he is clever. I highly recommend this series.

Quality.......2006-02-06

One of the best miniseries of the 90's is as relevent today as it was then. The BC does what it does best, namely qulity drama with great actors. This tale of political intrigue is well worth watching.

hatchet job .......2005-08-03

The House of Cards is brilliant. What a shame some inept editor cut out many of the best parts in this version. For what? Are you in a hurry when you're watching great performances? GIVE US THE WHOLE THING!

House of Cards Trilogy, Vol. 2 - To Play the King

Average customer rating:

Absolutely Brilliant
Fantastic Series
The Best from the Brits
Top-Notch Acting, A Must See Production
Amazing dialogue heals plot wounds

House of Cards Trilogy, Vol. 2 - To Play the King
Starring: Ian Richardson , Michael Kitchen , Kitty Aldridge , Colin Jeavons , and Diane Fletcher
Director: Paul Seed
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009MGGZ
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Amazon.com

In To Play the King, the second installment of this deliciously wicked political satire, Francis Urquhart (who rose to power in House of Cards) appears to have everything he wants. He is the prime minister, he has no immediate rivals, and everyone who knows of his crimes is either on his side or dead. But a new challenge arises when the queen dies and the new king (Michael Kitchen doing a perfect Prince Charles) proves to be a thorn in Urquhart's side.

The king is troubled by the side effects of the prime minister's policies: homelessness, poverty, and an ever-widening gap between the haves and the have-nots. When he criticizes Urquhart in public, it becomes clear that the king must be dealt with, and quickly. Francis Urquhart may be a staunch defender of the monarchy as a concept, but an individual sovereign is fair game if he proves to be a threat. A fat princess, the king's ex-wife, scandal-mongering newspapermen, and a kidnapping all play their part when Urquhart sets his plan in motion, but somebody very close to the prime minister has information that could destroy him.

With an Andrew Davies script that pokes fun at British politics and the antics of the royal family as well as a terrific cast led again by Ian Richardson, To Play the King maintains the high standard set by House of Cards. In Francis Urquhart, Davies and Richardson have created one of the screen's greatest villains, and his brazen scheming is a delight to watch. --Simon Leake

Description

Ian Richardson (From Hell, M. Butterfly) returns as villainous statesman Francis Urquhart in this acclaimed sequel to the Masterpiece Theater thriller House of Cards. The sardonic statesman's Machiavellian schemes have brought him to the pinnacle of government, but at the moment of his triumph, an idealistic and determined young King stands in his way. How far will Urquhart go to maintain his grip on his growing power? As he threatens to expose a royal scandal, he seems unstoppable, but someone out there knows the secret that could bring him down. Brilliantly adapted by Andrew Davies (The Tailor of Panama, Bridget Jones's Diary), from Michael Dobbs's best-selling novel, this satirical trilogy took home a primetime Emmy, a Peabody, two BAFTAs and a Writers' Guild Award.

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Brilliant.......2006-09-04

This is the best of the three- the first two are great, the third is to be missed. The viewer is drawn into the villainy of an evil PM with Shakespeareian ease and expertise. I disagree with a comment of a prior reviewer that there is "no redeeming social value." In fact, the point - power corrupts, often irredeemably so- is probably too obvious to mention. Any failure of the subplots to tie together completely at the end is far outweighed by the brilliantly protrayed spectacle of evil.

Fantastic Series.......2005-07-19

Ian Richardson is an absolute dynamo as Francis Urquehart, a proud and ruthless politician who puts Macbeth to shame in the ambitions department. The humor is witty and biting, and the show is riveting from start to finish. And Richardson is so convincing as the vile Urquehart that you just cant help rooting for him.

The Best from the Brits.......2003-02-18

To enjoy this series, you need to like subtle, stabbing humor, a phenomenal cast, unique camera perspectives, and a great script. I saw this series when it first aired (more years ago than I care to remember!) and never forgot it. Now my whole family is hooked too, and we re-watch every few months just because it is so incredibly well done. I love the way the cast plays to each other, and it seems as though they chose the perfect person for each role. I just wish the BBC would release it on DVD before my tapes fail!

Top-Notch Acting, A Must See Production.......2001-07-28

This is the second part of the "House of Cards" trilogy by Michael Dobbs and the continuing story of Francis Urquhart who, now Prime Minister, is engaged in a political struggle with the newly crowned king, a thinly disguised version of Prince Charles, and in a romantic liaison with a woman whom his wife chose for him and who is almost his equal in cold-bloodedness though not in utter and absolute villainy. In this second work we are no longer taken in by the superficial charm of Urquhart. His cleverness has given way to brutality, rage and deceit, and he has lost our sympathy. We look with a certain coldness even on his moments of remorse and hauntings of conscience. He begins, for all his political triumphs, to show his essential weakness, and his wife is now emerging as the strength of their partnership. The work is well worth seeing despite some weakness of plot and is fascinating because of the unusual conflict between HRH and the PM though most of all because of the continued stupendous acting of Ian Richardson. It is, however, not quite up to the same level as "House of Cards," the first part of the trilogy.

Amazing dialogue heals plot wounds.......2000-06-20

Second in a trilogy, TO PLAY THE KING continues the story from HOUSE OF CARDS and lays vital groundwork for THE FINAL CUT, but it lacks the cohesion of those other entrants into this series. One of TPTK's subplots-that of the King's newly-out homosexual press secretary-is a well-written, well-acted part of the story, but it just fizzles uselessly at the end, having had little impact.. Likewise, other plots which seem dreadfully important when introduced simply disappear. We're told, for instance, that the publication of the secrets of the King's sister will assuredly bring down the monarchy. Urquart orders this publication, yet the monarchy does not fall. Why? We're not told. Worse, the main plot-that of a confrontation between elected prime minister and hereditary monarch-- is itself resolved in ways that aren't even shown on-screen.

This is not to say that TO PLAY THE KING is uninteresting or in any way unwatchable. The acting is phenomenal, the dialogue sparkling, and the conclusions bold. The battle between Francis Urquart and the King of England is mesmerizing stuff. But this is clearly not the best entrant in the series, perhaps because it's hard to write about what hasn't happened in modern times. With the exception of love, there has been no issue which has publicly separated a British monarch from his Prime Minister in the twentieth century, so the film is largely theoretical. Oddly, the film's denouement really closes out the two main subplots, not the main storyline. Consequently, we're left wondering why exactly the chosen ending is happening.

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Brilliant.......2006-09-04

Fantastic Series.......2005-07-19

The Best from the Brits.......2003-02-18

Top-Notch Acting, A Must See Production.......2001-07-28

Amazing dialogue heals plot wounds.......2000-06-20

Amazon.com

Connoisseurs of political chicanery will relish House of Cards, the mordantly funny story of Francis Urquhart (Ian Richardson), a British politician with his eye on the top job. Urquhart is the chief whip of the Conservative Party and his job is to maintain party discipline, or, as he likes to say, "put a bit of stick about." This means that he has intimate knowledge of his colleagues' foibles, knowledge that he uses to further his own political ambitions. Aided by his equally ruthless wife and drawing on a network of accomplices, Urquhart manufactures a crisis that forces the prime minister to resign. He then sets out to discredit each of his rivals for the party leadership, clearing the way for a rapid and apparently inevitable rise to power. The only possible flaw in Urquhart's master plan is his affair with Mattie Storin, a young journalist who is drawn into his web when he decides she might prove useful.

Customer Reviews:

To Be Prime Minister.......2007-01-30

Great British Drama.......2006-07-09

House of Cards Trilogy.......2006-06-30

Quality.......2006-02-06

hatchet job .......2005-08-03

House of Cards Trilogy, Vol. 3 - The Final Cut

Average customer rating:

A Terrible Disappointment
Not as good as first two, but still incredible
Not impressed
Oops, they did it again!
Noooooooooo! It can't be over!

House of Cards Trilogy, Vol. 3 - The Final Cut
Starring: Ian Richardson , Erika Hoffman , Lynne Verrall , Glyn Grain , and John Rowe
Director: Mike Vardy
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

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ASIN: B00004WGA6
Release Date: 2000-07-19

Amazon.com

The final installment of the House of Cards trilogy strikes a more somber note than its predecessors. Francis Urquhart--prime minister and murderer--has almost overtaken Margaret Thatcher to become Britain's longest serving postwar leader, but the public is tiring of him and there are rumblings of dissent in the Conservative Party. When the prime minister's bullying goes too far, his foreign secretary, Tom Makepeace, resigns and prepares to challenge for the leadership.

Urquhart and his wife (who makes Lady Macbeth look benign) plot to secure both their place in history and their financial future. An opportunity presents itself in the shape of the Cyprus Agreement: a treaty between the Greek and Turkish inhabitants of that island. The Urquharts learn that there are massive oil deposits along a disputed sea boundary, and a Turkish businessman promises them a large "consultancy fee" if the oil ends up on his side of the border. However, Urquhart has other ties to Cyprus, because it was there (as a young soldier in the '50s) that he killed two Greeks. If this is uncovered, Urquhart will be finished. Attacked from all sides, it looks like there's no escape, but as he watches the Thatcher Memorial taking shape on the lawn outside his office, Urquhart vows to triumph again. With the help of his wife, the shadowy Commander Cawdor, and an ambitious member of Parliament who had an affair with Tom Makepeace, he might yet find a way to succeed.

Once again, writer Andrew Davies has created a satire to relish, one that confirms all of our doubts about the motives of politicians. Ian Richardson's wonderful performance--filled with sly asides and winks to the camera--makes Francis Urquhart as fascinating as he is wicked, and we find ourselves rooting for this terrible man. The world would certainly be a duller place without him. --Simon Leake

Customer Reviews:

A Terrible Disappointment.......2006-09-04

Especially in comparison to the brilliance of the first two installments, this was a bitter disappointment. Rumor has it that those involved would only do the third installment if the evil king received his come-uppance, and he does here, in an unsatisfactory manner, unbefitting the evil he once wrought. It's hard to imagine that a grown man who fed rat poison to an inconvenient party functionary, threw a lover off the top of the House of Commons, and car bombed up another in front of her husband, would be tortured for a second by having killed a boy in (Cyprus civil) wartime. The motive force in this one strains credulity. Watch and enjoy the first two, but skip this one- it really does not conclude the career of F.U. as the same imagination that brought the first two installments to life would have,

Not as good as first two, but still incredible.......2005-07-19

Probably my least favorite installment of the Urquehart trilogy. This one was still absolutely riveting and fantastic, just not to the extent that the other two volumes where. However, it is still a must see.

Not impressed.......2005-01-04

I found that the last part of this brilliant series wansn't as good as the first two installments. To start with, Mr Urquhart (hence FU), seems to be less confiding to us as an audience and is seemingly not as devious as in the beginning of the series. He is more passive and less his brilliant, manipulative self, leading us to feel a slight pity that would have been unthinkable initially.

Another criticism would be the issue of the Cypriot graves in the "Final Cut". I thought it a bit silly that FU was having nightmares about his murdering of two young men, so long ago, when he was based as an officer on Cyprus. He never showed any sort of remorse before and then suddenly this is introduced. Further, I think that the young lady involved in investigating her uncles deaths gets far too big a role. She is nobody of any consequence and yet she gets complete access to the Prime Minister alone. Again, I found this silly and unbelievable and the whole story would have been better left out for the sake of more intelligent viewers.

Finally, the end wasn't particularly well wrapped up with the issue of the tape and the murder of the Cypriot father. What was that all about? Over all, I was not too impressed, although I conceed that the acting was up to its usual high standard - only the plot didn't live up to expectation.

Oops, they did it again!.......2002-03-16

Made major changes from the novel, that is--and for my mind made it that much stronger a screenplay(sorry to novelist Michael Dobbs,who was supposedly royally ticked at this adaptation).Ian Richardson is again brilliant as the Shakespeare-quoting politician/murderer/con man whom you love to hate, and the underrated Dianne Fletcher is equally good as the scheming Mrs. Urquhart(a good example of the old saying that the female of the species is often more deadly!). In strong supporting roles, look for Isla Blair and Paul Freeman as an ambitious aide to FU and a would-be Prime Minister, respectively--this relationship has some parallels to the highly political union of the Urquharts.

Noooooooooo! It can't be over!.......2002-01-16

The third and final chapter in the life and times of that charming psychopath, Prime Minister Francis Urquhart. The end of his career is drawing nigh, and he's haunted by ghosts (not only Mattie Storin who perished so sadly in the first installment, but also a pair of young Cypriot soldies during Francis' military service). But he musters his strength for one last battle for the leadership of the party. Can he solidify his place in British history? F.U. has proved that he can do whatever he sets his mind to.

Average customer rating:

A Terrible Disappointment
Not as good as first two, but still incredible
Not impressed
Oops, they did it again!
Noooooooooo! It can't be over!

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ASIN: B00009MGH1
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Amazon.com

Description

Ian Richardson (From Hell, M. Butterfly) returns as malevolent statesman Francis Urquhart in this acclaimed finale to the Masterpiece Theater trilogy that began with House of Cards and continued in To Play the King. Now Prime Minister, and nearing the end of his term, Urquhart plans to let international events help him to a luxurious retirement. But he finds himself caught in someone else's power play, and for the first time he is unable to see a way out. Will he outwit his enemies one last time, or will his long career end in disgrace and defeat? Brilliantly adapted by Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones's Diary), from Michael Dobbs's best-selling novel, this satirical trilogy took home a primetime Emmy, a Peabody, two BAFTAs and a Writers' Guild Award.

Customer Reviews:

A Terrible Disappointment.......2006-09-04

Not as good as first two, but still incredible.......2005-07-19

Not impressed.......2005-01-04

Oops, they did it again!.......2002-03-16

Noooooooooo! It can't be over!.......2002-01-16

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