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House of Cards Trilogy, Vol. 1 - House of Cards | 
 enlarge | Director: Paul Seed
Actors: Ian Richardson, Susannah Harker, Miles Anderson, David Lyon, Malcolm Tierney
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
Buy New: $29.99
New (3) Used (1) from $22.54
Rating:  25 reviews
Sales Rank: 95428
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 225 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 0790777614
UPC: 794051176622
EAN: 9780790777610
ASIN: B00009MGGP
Theatrical Release Date: March 31, 1991
Release Date: August 26, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product 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 Emmya Peabody two BAFTAs and a Broadcasting Press Guild Award.Running Time: 200 min.System Requirements:Running Time 230Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 794051176622
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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
 Best Villian since J.R. June 2, 2008
R. Swanson (New Mexico)
Another brilliant production from the BBC! Ian Richardson is superlative in the role of a man you'll love to hate. He charmingly lets you in on his machinations, enticing you almost into conspiracy with him. This works well with a young female journalist, too. The plot is not very realistic when you think of how easily the villian, Francis Urquart, gets away with his crimes. But it is so well done that it will hold your interest throughout. I'm tempted to subtract one star for the cyncism of it, but Richardson's performance makes up for any lack. Shakespeare would have loved it!
Breathtakingly good! March 2, 2008
Beverley Strong (Australia)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Francis Urquhart describes himself as "just a back room boy" in British politics, being Chief Whip of the political party presently in power. In reality, this man is manipulative, corrupt and ambitious , pretending to be a friend to his party colleagues, but with an overweening and ruthless ambition to have sole control of power in Britain. His schemes become machiavellian and he stops at nothing, even murder, to achieve his goals. He learns every detail,good and bad about his rivals in the run up to an election, and systematically forces them to resign, leaving him as the only contendor. Ian Richardson is sensationally brilliant as F U, as he is generally known, dominating every scene as he gives the viewer a chilling, heart racing performance as this political giant and master of evil. The series was made some time ago but the scenario hasn't faded or changed and makes heart stopping viewing.
To Be Prime Minister January 30, 2007
Joshua Koppel (Chicago, IL United States)
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 July 9, 2006
P. Tubb (Los Alamos, NM)
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 June 29, 2006
R. Ager (WA, USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
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.
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