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| House of Cards Trilogy (House of Cards / To Play the King / The Final Cut) | 
 enlarge | Directors: Mike Vardy, Paul Seed
Actors: Ian Richardson, Susannah Harker, Miles Anderson, Colin Jeavons, Damien Thomas
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $59.98
Buy New: $32.99
You Save: $26.99 (45%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $32.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  (68 reviews)
Sales Rank: 4624
Format: Box Set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 640 minutes
Number Of Items: 3
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.6 x 1.9
MPN: WARDE1765D
ISBN: 0790777606
UPC: 794051176523
EAN: 9780790777603
ASIN: B00009MGGI
Release Date: August 26, 2003
Theatrical Release Date: October 8, 1996
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Editorial Reviews:
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.
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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 63 more reviews...
House Of Cards Ian Richardson September 16, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
We could hardly wait to recieve this Video set.
We rented the first one from the Wallingford library and it had to be collected from a different library. It is a wonderful offering.
Sharon Cioffi
A pragmatic lesson in politics June 25, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
After many years of having been filmed, this trilogy remains a powerful lesson in pragmatic politics. In spite of his evilness, you end up admiring Frances Urkhart for his strategically political thinking, always geared towards pragmatism for achieving his very personal goals. Whoever or whatever stands in his way for reaching his objectives, he always finds a wat out-even if this means corruption and murder.
Definitely any young aspiring politician should watch the series, not for emulating Mr Urkhart, but for aquiring the knowledge of the intricating web of politics and interpersonal relationships that derive from it. A strong lesson in politics, indeed.
Extraordinary performances, very well filmed, and a truly close adaptation from the book.
Every two years I watch the trilogy, and every time I discover new aspects about the plot and complex personality of Mr Urkhart. What a political thriller!
Wonderful June 23, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is simply one of the best TV series ever made, and BBC has made lots of them. It is classy, sophisticated and hilarious.
Finally got to see the first 2 parts of the House of Cards Trilogy June 22, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had seen the final cut years ago and so I finally ordered the first 2 parts. They were equally delicious. FU is a singularly compelling villan. I think the word they use is reptilian. Heehee
 charmingly capivating but not deep June 9, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Charming movies but plot leans to transparent, very little political knowledge is not needed and the films can hardly could be called deep. Entertaining though, but not really a very thinking thriller, as some might've supposed. Acting is somewhat average, with the plot and acting best viewed with a sense of belief. Not a humourous film directly but charming, amusing, bit of a black comedy kind of thriller. Worth a watch, but not to be expect something of a mind strectcher.
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