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

starring: Ian Richardson, Brian Baines, Diane Fletcher, William Scott-Masson, Michael Fabricant
directed by: Mike Vardy

: House of Cards Trilogy, Vol. 3 - The Final Cut
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Warner Brothers
EAN: 9780790777634
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
ISBN: 0790777630
Label: BBC Warner
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: BBC Warner
Region Code: 1
Release Date: August 26, 2003
Running Time: 200 minutes
Sales Rank: 89914
Studio: BBC Warner
Theatrical Release Date: February 04, 1996



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Editorial Review:

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.

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
Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars - Isla Blair's diamond necklace
This one must have been less riveting than the two earlier series, because I spent a lot of time trying ... Read More


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Grand finale
In this, the third and final part of the series of The House of Cards, Ian Richardson as Prime Minister, ... Read More


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Cubed, baby!
I can't tell if this is the third "House of Cards" or the ninth one!


Rating: 2 out of 5 stars - A Terrible Disappointment
Especially in comparison to the brilliance of the first two installments, this was a bitter disappointment. ... Read More


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Not as good as first two, but still incredible
Probably my least favorite installment of the Urquehart trilogy. This one was still absolutely riveting and ... Read More

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Copyright ©2003, Mark Carey.