House of Cards [DVD] [1990]

I have recently borrowed the House of Cards DVD set from my local library and felt compelled to leave a review as well as buy a copy of my own. This series is worthy of comparison to the much famed and acclaimed Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo's "The Godfather Trilogy". This series is a much darker tale of political intrigue and scandal than its nearest contemporary of the Yes, Minister/ Yes, Prime Minister comedy series. Centred around Francis Urquhart (sublimely acted by Ian Richardson), this Party Chief Whip schemes to frame, blackmail, murder and generally scandalise his way up the greasy pole to Downing Street, all in the first installment! Urquhart proceeds to endure the trilogy as a thoroughly compelling but entirely ruthless individual, not even letting moral qualms about his mistresses stop him from attaining and retaining glory and power. Michael Corleone in Godfather follows a similar arc in his rise to the leadership of the Corleone Family, but throughout the series, particularly the first, there is evident reluctance for this path. Urquhart, by contrast, embraces the opportunities that lie before him without compunction or concern about bloodshed. Similarly, the duplicity and manipulation of both his senior and junior colleagues, and near perverted embarrassment of his rivals would make Sir Humphrey from Yes Minister quail in terror and outrage! Naturally, Richardson justifiably absorbs his audience in fascination and shock in equal measure, but he is ably supported by a rich cast who aid in making his character so real and convincing, including such names as Michael Kitchen, Susannah Harker, David Lyons, Nicholas Selby, James Villiers, Kitty Aldridge, Colin Jeavons, Tom Beasley, Paul Freeman, Diane Fletcher, Isla Blair, even John Bird as a very apt cameo! This drama is a superb example of the kind of quality the BBC is capable of producing, so much so that over 10 years after its broadcast, a lot of the issues in it are strongly resonant in todays political climate, mainly in the blackmail that is used to compel characters to behave. Is this a worthy addition to a DVD collection? You might think that, but I couldn't possibly comment!

We never tire of seeing this addictive political series. A portrait of how power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The story seems complex initially and it needs a few viewings to appreciate the clever representations of royalty v politics and the unravelling of the whole. Ian Richardson is quite superb and totally believable. His confidences to the camera a masterly touch, so expressive, and highly amusing. The supporting cast is impeccable. The beginning of each episode could so easly be boring, as with other series, but who gets the chance in real life of flying over Big Ben tower and seeing it in all its close up glory and gilded intricacy? Drink it in.

I bought the box set as my memory is a little foggy as to the way this played out - esp. the first Series (The House of Cards). Although I do remember enjoying it. Ian Richardson is superb as Francis Urquhart (or 'FU'), the highly intelligent and intuitive politician. We meet him first as Chief Whip for a floundering Tory administration. By managing to stay about 10 moves ahead of everyone else, he eventually reaches the top job of PM. The short pieces to camera are hilarious at times - although a little dark. The Second Series has Francis as PM, but at loggerheads with a new king (whose mannerisms are very identifiable with our Queen's first son!) The third, again has FU - but nearing the end of his tenure as PM, but none the less wiley. Still a force to be dealt with, we see him setting out plans for the day he leaves No.10, but an incident from his days in the Army during the Turkish occupation of Cyprus come back to haunt him Excellent - a def 'BUY IT' rating and well worth the price Shame the BBC don't make enough drama's of this quality these days!

Ian Richardson - a perfect peformance and a wonderful character encapsulation binding excellent writing and acting into one of the best dramas of recent times. If, by 'recent' you can accept I mean nearly twenty years ago when the original "House Of Cards" and "FU" (an astoundingly newspaper-friendly name there) drifted into my television sphere and cast its subtle spell, drawing me in willingly with a knowing grin fixed from ear to ear as he took us into his conience, piece by piece. The more I immersed into his less-than-perfect world over the four episodes, the more it took me over, even the increasingly less-glamourous-to-seedy operations and tactics FU employed kept me increasingly hooked to the screen, in the growing expectation of what turned out to be a truly shocking final denouement in episode four (despite it's deviation from the original finale from book it was based on). What with some sour events in the UK political sphere in the years since, the original series can be viewed as a fictional, alternative glimpse of a UK political scene many suspect was not far from the reality, and whose modern political mechanisms may yet be still. "To Play The King" is a worthy follow-up with FU pitted against a visionary, revolutionaly, yet ultimately naiive monarch. Each side indulges in politely-delivered acidic fencing, whose core arguments ever deepen to the point where only one resolution is possible, to ultimately play their political hands out in front of the public. And of course there can be only one winner. "The Final Cut" of the cards sees FU deal the trump cards to himself so as to secure a handsome pension, courtesey of the Commonwealth's coffers. Or so he and his equally-manipulating wife thinks, for the events of his past catch up with both him and his wife, though not in the way the viewer might be expecting. This last outing is the weaker of the three, but in its own right stands up well enough against other notable drama series. Whatever, just buy it and indulge yourself in the most darkest political machinations you could hope to see this side of the enlightening "Yes Minister". Maybe not the best comparisom in the world, nevertheless; if you liked the latter's comically frank play on political beaurucracy you'll enjoy the sly asides to camera interwined with an excellent dramatic edge the twelve episodes the "House Of Cards" trilogy has to offer.

I watched this when it was first aired. It made sense then, being not only set in, but also aired just after, the Thatcher period and, when I bought the box set recently, I worried that it would feel dated. Not a bit of it. The intrigue and double-dealing portrayed in this series shows today's politicians up for the bungling amateurs they are. What's more, Iain Richardson is an absolute cracker in this as Francis Urquhart, the totally ruthless but entirely competent greasy pole climber, with his great one-liners delivered with such panache. Season 1 charts Urquhart's rise to power, a lesson (if that's the word) for how to use skulduggery to complete effect. Season 2 charts his struggle with the establishment, especially the monarchy (with a brilliant send up of our likely next monarch). In Season 3, the chickens come home to roost, as Urquhart's past catches up with him - recent and distant, so there is only one shocking way out, really. What a great way to spend a few hours... Thoroughly recommended for all ages.

This was one of the most entertaining series I have ever encountered. I can't see anyone but Ian Richardson as the lead in this story of behind-the-scenes backbiting and secret horrific plans to destroy opponents, or anyone else who gets in the way. Richardson's Shakespearian theatre experience is in evidence throughout this grisly story,(sometimes humorous) with winks directly to the camera and constant asides. He was absolutely marvelous in this role and his genius is shown in every scene. Supporting cast was great. The story was very well written and directed. Inside shots of government buildings and Parliment, as well as outside shots of London were absolutely spectacular. This is another one I can watch over and over and am delighted to have it in my collection. Highly recommended!

Although made for the BBC many years ago, it doesn't seem that outdated and exposes a lot of the (probable) machinations of MP's and their followers. A consistently great performance from Ian Richardson who is on screen most of the time and his incisive comments directly to us are both informative and perceptive. But all the actors give memorable supporting performances.

Oh my Gosh !!! A gift for my husband - what a totally amazing series - amazing actors, so well written, the story snakes along, & you don't which corner you'll be turning next as a viewer! Who'd have thought Politics could be interesting & exciting?! Very recent purchase, so watching it now & still a wee bit more to go. The creepy thing about it is, that watching this series, it's all so "here and now stuff too!" Like someone has a glass ball or so?! very enjoyable and a very good gift. Thank You! L.B.

Eine der besten Filmproduktionen über Politik, Macht, Intrigen und die Rolle der Medien. Die Hauptfigur, grandios gespielt von Ian Richardson, blickt in Close-ups immer wieder in die Kamera und spricht direkt mit dem Zuschauer, der dadurch genauso manipuliert wird wie die anderen Aktuere im Film. Man ist fasziniert von diesem brillanten Strategen und ertappt sich dabei, dass man sich erst abzuwenden beginnt, als die Grenze zum Bösen längst überschritten ist. Die Geschichte spielt im Umfeld der Tories in der Post-Thatcher-Ära, ist jedoch ohne weiteres im heutigen politischen Geschehen vorstellbar. Satirische Elemente, Seitenhiebe auf die Royals und eine gute Portion schwarzer britischer Humor machen die insgesamt über 6 Stunden dauernde Trilogie zusätzlich unterhaltsam. Für das deutsche Fernsehen wurde nur der erste Teil bearbeitet - aber die subtilen Dialoge entfalten ohnehin nur im Original ihre volle Brillanz. Die DVD-Box ist sehr empfehlenswert und in Bild- und Tonqualität trotz des etwas in die Jahre gekommenen Originalmaterials absolut in Ordnung.

Da vedere assolutamente, sorprendente, cattiva, ironica e molto avanti per i tempi. L'attuale House of Cards è fantastica ma per me, British Do It Better. Always.

"You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment", c'est le gimmick de cette série britannique éblouissante menée par un acteur shakespearien de grande classe, Ian Richardson. Francis Urquhart, Chief Whip (une sorte de gardien du temple, celui qui ramène les députés dans le droit chemin au moment des votes, principalement) du Parti Conservateur, espère devenir ministre au sein du gouvernement tout juste formé après le départ de Margaret Thatcher. Ses espoirs sont déçus... mais Urquhart n'a pas dit son dernier mot, et sa vengeance sera terrible. Une machination diabolique se met en place, qui va mener Urquhart à la tête du gouvernement de Sa Gracieuse Majesté dans les 4 épisodes de la première saison. C'est absolument prenant, bien ficelé, intemporel quant au sujet, d'un cynisme sans bornes, délicieusement désuet dans sa description de l'époque (la première saison date de 1990...) Les deux saisons suivantes sont à mon sens un peu en dessous de la première, mais d'un très bon niveau quand même. On y suit un Urquhart devenu Premier Ministre qui ne veut pas lâcher le pouvoir avant d'avoir dépassé la longévité de Margaret Thatcher au 10 Downing Street. Il n'y a plus la fraîcheur de la première saison, avec ces jeunes idéalistes qui croyaient encore qu'en politique, on pouvait ne pas se salir les mains... Et puis, en démarrant le premier DVD, moi qui n'avais qu'une idée assez vague du scénario, j'ai été happée par ce générique, la "Francis Urquhart's march", courte marche militaire avec cuivres et percussion, qui colle si bien au sujet... Une remarque technique: le DVD que j'ai acheté était bien spécifié "import anglais" sur Amazon, mais il se trouve qu'il n'a que des sous-titres néerlandais! Alors c'est un peu "marche ou crève", donc j'ai amélioré mon anglais en regardant les DVD en VO intégrale. Il n'empêche que c''est une tromperie sur la marchandise, en tout cas pour le marché français (car la jaquette est aussi en néerlandais).

Dated reproduction- way below current HD.

Never trust a politician... Watch this to see why.