Description

"18 million viewers tuned into the super-length detective series." - The Times

A Touch of Frost is one of Britain's most successful detective series and stars award-winning actor David Jason as Detective Inspector Jack Frost, a policeman with a knack for attracting trouble. Set in the dreary town of Denton, Frost approaches each case with his characteristic dry wit and a sense of moral justice. A Touch of Frost Season One includes:

In "Care and Protection," Frost investigates a missing child case, as his terminally ill wife languishes in bed. A chance digging turns up a 30 year-old skeleton chained to a strongbox. A former bank employee with links to the strongbox is murdered and Frost must find his killer.

In "Not with Kindness," Frost grieves for his recently deceased wife, whose visiting sister from the States makes his life unbearable. Frost searches for a missing teenager and a victim of threatening phone calls wakes in the night to find her home engulfed in flames.

In "Conclusions," an elderly man is killed in a hit-and-run that involves a prominent local official's son. A casino is robbed of the night's takings. An armed and dangerous fugitive takes a pair of hostages.

Episodes: Care and Protection Not with Kindness Conclusions ... Read more

Reviews (4)

3 3/4 stars for thoroughly enjoyable British police drama
This is similar in vein to the better American police television dramas. A detective is confronted with several cases that intertwine, along with clues that at first tend to mislead, but later, when better interpreted, bring loose ends together. The acting, character development, pace and story development hold attention most of the time. If you enjoy detective dramas with a British twist, add this one to your list.

A First-Rate British Detective Series!
A Touch of Frost is an outstanding British mystery series, and it is high time it was released on DVD. This set contains the entire first series--three 100-minute episodes entitled "Care and Protection", "Not with Kindness", and "Conclusions." At the time of writing, series two is also available (for preordering), and I only hope that the video company will see fit to release the entire series.

David Jason (Only Fools and Horses, The Darling Buds of May, Open All Hours, Micawber), who personally is one of my favourite British actors, stars as Jack Frost, a dedicated, single-minded detective inspector with a nose for ferretting out criminals. Frost is a bit like a dog with a bone when he sets his mind on something, and he doesn't worry too much about letting little things like rules, procedures, tactfulness, or even legality get in the way of finding out the truth--if he can get away with it, that is. This is a man whose loathing for the criminal element--for those who hurt or destroy the lives of others--verges on the personal. At the very least, his dedication to duty is more than just a job for him, it's his whole life--his raison d'etre. Certainly, his personal life suffers greatly from his dedication--indeed obsession--with his work.

The series opens with Frost's wife on her deathbed. Even in such a situation (perhaps, indeed, because of it--for Frost does not handle personal tragedy well), he is unable to spend the time at his wife's side that is expected. While this may sound rather morbid and depressing, I must emphasize that overall the series is not. Certainly, the crimes that are committed are serious and tragic, but like the Inspector Morse series (a series with which this one compares well), the episodes are punctuated by quite a healthy dose of humour, and like Morse it is primarily character humour. In other words, it arises out of the idiosyncrasies in the inspector's character, which become more apparent as we become more familiar with the character. In Frost's case, apart from his questionable tactics, he's extremely disorderly, and his dedication to his work is matched only by his loathing for paperwork--a trait which often has him at odds with his punctilious boss, Superintendent Mullett. Indeed, Frost is perennially ducking into doorways or skipping out of the office in attempts to avoid the unwelcome confrontations. One thing Frost does not have, unlike Inspector Morse, is a regular "Sergeant Lewis" in tow; rather, he has a different sergeant assigned to him for almost every episode.

One aspect which, in my opinion, makes A Touch of Frost such a good series is the powerful punch of irony that usually occurs at the end of each episode. Often one can really sympathise with the killer or at the very least understand his or her motivation. Sometimes we find that it's one trifling incident--someone in the wrong place at the wrong time--or a petty misunderstanding that sets the wheels in motion for a tragic outcome. Often it seems that the bringing of the criminal to justice is the greatest injustice.

In conclusion, this is a well-acted and an extremely well-written mystery series--one with quite hard-hitting stories, thus making the comic relief all the more welcome. It is a series which I recommend very highly to fans of British mysteries in particular--if you enjoy shows like Inspector Morse, for example, or have enjoyed PBS's erstwhile Mystery! series, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one. I would, however, go so far as to recommend this series to anyone looking for a superior quality mystery series, British or otherwise. Personally, I've always wondered why it was never made a part of PBS's Mystery! series, for it was certainly worthy of inclusion.

The real thing
I am a huge fan of English cozy mysteries but am fast running out of shows. So, I decided to try something a little more serious and "A Touch of Frost" sounded interesting so I took a chance.

What first struck me when watching it was how real everything looked. David Jason, in the title role, looks like a real cop, the town looks like a real town and the people act like real people. The situations are dramatic but you always believe in the characters.

Frost is a sloppy, intelligent, gruff and thoroughly likable character in spite of, or maybe because of, his rough edges. The mysteries are literate and manage to get their point across without being horrifically graphic. (Though there is violence and some innuendo and a very brief glimpse of a breast, I can't recommend this show for children)

"Care and Protection"- When the young daughter of a local woman goes missing, Frost is called in. Relieved, since he is dealing with a terminally ill wife, Frost sets to work. But when a decades old corpse with a severed arm and a suitcase attached is discovered during the search for the girl, Frost finds himself dealing with two cases at once. In this episode, he is teamed up with the fairly amiable but spoiled nephew of the superintendant. Very good episode that deals with the triple drain on Frost's emotions, his dying wife, a cold case he didn't want and the missing child whose chances for survival decrease as time passes.

"Not With Kindness"- Following the death of his wife, Frost is at odds with her Americanized sister. Meanwhile, a papergirl's body is discovered in a graveyard and she may or may not be a victim of rape. The subplot deals with an affluent couple who are being harassed by phonecalls and and deadly practical jokes. Frost is partnered with an even sloppier career cop who has an irritatingly happy family life. A rather sad episode that deals with the dangers of grief.

"Conclusions"- A fatal hit-and-run leads Frost to the spoiled rotten son of a mamber of parliament. Meanwhile, there has been a robbery at a local casino and an armed and dangerous fugitive is loose in the area. When a patrolman is brutally murdered, the manhunt is on. Frost is partnered with a surley new transfer who has a perfectly rotten homelife and a brooding manner. He's almost too surly for Frost!

I highly recommend this series to all fans of cozies who are ready to try something a little more serious and to any mystery fan, especially if you want something a little more realistsic than is offered in this country.

Unpolished Morse
A British detective series,with Frost playing the role of an
unpolished Morse,who is smart and streetwise.Like Morse,he
doesn't care for paperwork.In the first 2 episodes,his "sidekick"
changes.Each episode is about 100 minutes,so there is good amount
of material for the price. The photography is excellent,and one
gets to see "real" people. Frost Season 2 is to appear shortly.a ... Read more

Description

"(David) Jason gives Frost the iciness needed for the role…"-- The Los Angeles Daily NewsA Touch of Frost is one of Britain’s most successful detective series and stars award-winning actor David Jason as Detective Inspector Jack Frost, a policeman with a knack for attracting trouble. Set in the dreary town of Denton, Frost approaches each case with his characteristic dry wit and a sense of moral justice. A Touch of Frost Season 6 includes: "Appendix Man" – Reeling from the loss of his former partner, D.C. Barnard, Frost resigns from the force. But, he soon returns to investigate the suspicious death of a reclusive art collector. "One Man’s Meat" – To pay the bills, Frost takes in a renter with a dog. Next, while Frost investigates the death of a homeless teenager, the dismembered arm of a health officer, washes up on the shoreline on the other side of England. "Private Lives" – A peaceful village isn’t all it appears to be. Frost’s new partner checks out a hit-and-run accident that injures an elderly woman. Frost squares an account with an old adversary. "Keys ToThe Car" – A golf club paramour leaves behind a trail of satisfied golf widows, unpaid bar bills and stolen cars. When a drug dealer’s body is found inside the trunk of one of the vehicles, Frost tries to find the connection between the gigolo, the drug dealer and the owner of the stolen car. ... Read more

Description

1911 London is the setting for this dark drama of sexual obsession and murder. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Based on Fact!
Dr Joseph Bell was a real person, and was a profound influence on the young Conan Doyle in medical school. Bell's approach to problem solving was by method of deductive reasoning. See the book "Doctor Joe Bell: Model for Sherlock Holmes" by Ely Liebow, Professor of English at Northeastern Illinois University. This fascinating book is available on Amazon, but is pricey as it was privately printed. Dr Liebow's personal page is at www.neiu.edu/~edepartm/dep/profs/liebow.htm.

agreed
i agree with the rest of the reviews this is an excellect movie
series i have seem them all and went looking for them to find out the rest have not yet been release as of yet and its a series i cant wait to get them all i hope its soon to me this comes close to basil rathbone sherlock holmes.

A hidden gem. DVD and movie. But what about the rest?
DVD - Video is clear and crisp. Colors are bright (for a Victorian subject) and don't bleed. The audio is clean.

The MOVIE- My biggest complaint is that they haven't released the rest. If you like mysteries in general, or Sherlock Holmes specifically, then you'll find Dr. Bell & Mr. Doyle a great little film. I found the whole premise of the origins of the idea of the Holmes character to be great plot. The acting is wonderful.

I'd pick this up before someone gets the bright idea to put it out of print.

Essential for any mystery lover's collection
American viewers may not realize that this offering is but the first in a series (the only one available in NTSC format so far, the rest being in PAL) called the "Murder Rooms" series. Subsequent titles include "The Photographer's Chair", "The White Knight Stratagem", "The Kingdom of Bones", "The Patient's Eyes", and perhaps more (?), starring the inimitable Ian Richardson. For those who like David Suchet's Poirot series, and Jeremy Brett's Holmes series, this series is absolutely stunning and mandatory!! Any good DVD mystery library is severely deficient without these episodes! This reviewer has finally thrown in the towel and purchased complete PAL-compatible equipment since there are so many such riches in the British PAL/DVD world that are simply unattainable in the USA. This matter could be the subject of a truly wild rant by this reviewer, the NTSC available-title crap-factor index being so high while so much other great material on both sides of the pond goes begging!

This episode deals with the young Arthur Conan Doyle (Robin Laing) as a medical student, who must perforce, with considerable trepidation, take a mandatory course from a certain Dr. Joseph Bell (Ian Richardson). It seems Dr. Bell has a notorious reputation amongst the medical students as a quite idiosyncratic, difficult and perhaps too challenging tutor and instructor. In this opening sequence, several of Dr. Bell's students are mystified by what they perceive as his strange nocturnal disappearances. One of them, the young Doyle and protagonist of this episode, surreptitiously follows Bell one night on such an errand. The result is that Bell catches the young Doyle in the act and subsequently "drafts" him as his "clerk" into these night-time escapades. It seems the good doctor, as a master of logic, deduction and diagnosis, is trying to unravel various crimes for the Crown which he feels are getting short shrift by those charged to investigate such matters. This story follows the unraveling of several inter-related murders by an apparent serial murderer.

The real-life Dr. Joseph Bell is alleged as the historical personage on whom Sir Arthur Conan Doyle modeled his Sherlock Holmes character, with the young Doyle himself being the archetypal Watson. Ian Richardson is truly superb as the good doctor, a pioneer forensic pathologist who took up crime investigation and related matters in his free time when he wasn't busy teaching during the day. This episode, set in 1878 Edinburgh, is extremely rich in Victorian period lore, full of subplots like the homeless, the struggling women's rights movement, the sub-citizen status given to prostitutes' rights, and police incompetence. This reviewer is not familiar with Sir Arthur's biography (but see below), so cannot judge the factual merits of the material presented here. But such accuracy would be totally irrelevant to the enjoyment of this rousing good story.

B.F.S. Video's color picture and Dolby digital sound are excellent for this BBC production. There is a great set of easily accessed and read special feature stills, including a multi-screen Doyle biography, a list of his selected works, multi-screen cast profiles, and multi-screen production notes. The 116-minute production is highly recommended along with the rest of the series if you can get them!

The game's afoot
I bought this DVD primarily because of Ian Richardson, who was so excellent in the "House of Cards" trilogy. Although this subsequent effort doesn't provide Richardson with as delightfully colorful a role, it's quite interesting in its own right.

The film -- which is directed by Paul Seed, who helmed the first two "House of Card" installments -- takes the facts of Arthur Conan Doyle's early life and adds a bit of conjecture to forge a convincing mystery. It's very well done, and the viewer is expertly manipulated into jumping to wrong conclusions in order to stay surprised at the end.

What gives the film added depth is the sense of period it gives, as well as the historical perspective on forensic investigation. And Doyle fans will enjoy seeing the parallels between Dr. Bell and Sherlock Holmes.

Anyone with an interest in any of the above will find this DVD worth getting. ... Read more

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. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

An Excellently Acted, Clever And Humorous Political Thriller
House of Cards is the first of three BBC productions based on the writings of Michael Dobb's. It introduces the character of Francis Urquhart, a party whip in the House of Parliament who, spurned by the newly elected PM and under the influence of his Lady Macbeth of a wife, aspires to greater things -- a person whose cleverness and urbanity are only outdone by his villainy. Ian Richardson plays the part to perfection, probably his greatest theatrical triumph, which alone makes this show and the whole trilogy worth seeing. In the manner of a Shakespearean villain Richardson speaks asides to the audience, and the charm of his manner draws the viewers into his confidence and onto his side. Even without speaking his slight glances and facial expressions made for our benefit alone make us his accomplices. Only toward the end of the film when we see the extremes to which his ambition has taken him do we begin to want to disassociate ourselves from him, but by that time we are too far gone. It is an excellent production with a good cast of supporting actors and a fine story line. The motif of the ever present rat is perhaps a tad overdone, but this is a fine bit of British drama. Do see it.

FU, The Greatest Villain in Television History
Because an exceedingly verbose (not to mention obtuse) review of this show has already been written, I'll cut to the chase: Francis Urquhart (referred to as "FU" by friend and foe alike in the show), brilliantly portrayed by Ian Richardson, is the best (or worst, depending on how you look at it) bad guy to ever grace the small screen. Never in your life will you loathe a character so much as FU. Never will you cringe as much as you will when FU turns to the camera and explains to you exactly what his dastardly plans are and exactly how he intends to carry them out. Never will you be more horrified as when you see FU's every plot and subplot come to fruition, despite being always on the verge of exposure. And never will you be happier to have witnessed such brilliant performances all the way across the board set within a complex, intriguing storyline. Buy this movie -- it will be the best money you spend for a long, long time.

Fantastic!
This is high stakes political drama like nothing you've ever seen before. I can't wait to see the other discs in the series. Brilliant acting from Ian Richardson and the entire cast. Reminds me of Shakespeare's Richard The Third a great deal. A must see television show.

Stunning
House of Cards, a BBC production done at the time of Margaret Thatcher's downfall, is one of the best modern political intrigue/satires done. The cast, the story, and the exacting attention to detail make this a piece worth watching and re-watching, to see what details escaped notice the first time.

The Plot
As the story opens, Thatcher has just resigned. There is a brief glimpse of an inner-party election for a new leader, and the moderate, middle candidate Henry Collingridge wins the post, and proceeds to barely win the next General Election. Almost immediately following this event, tempers begin to flare as Urqhart is denied the promotion he had sought, and is disgusted with Collingridge's 'politics as usual' stance.

Francis Urqhart, Conservative Party whip and functionary, with the unwitting assistance of a junior political reporter Mattie Storin, and the manipulated support of party functionary Roger O'Neill, sets out to undo the Prime Minister, involving the PM in scandals that rock is fragile majority and ever-loosening grip on power. Ultimately, Urqhart's schemes against Collingridge bring the PM down, and the stage is set for another leadership election.

Urqhart, at the urging of his wife Elizabeth, works toward the leadership and works toward solidifying the loyalties of his minions, who include the ruffian Tim Stamper, an associate whip in the Commons, and Benjamin Landless, a newspaper prioprietor. However, it is in making Storin his bedroom partner and virtual worshipper that Urqhart has his strongest support; this support is not absolute, something he recognises. This relationship is done with the blessing, nay, with the urging, of his wife Elizabeth.

Urqhart uses his inside knowledge to make short work of all but the top contenders for the job, and then casts his lot for the job at the last moment, splitting the ticket. Knocking one contender against another one final time, Urqhart carries the election. However, O'Neill is unstable and unsure of the propriety of his dealings in bringing down Collingridge, and Storin realises at the last moment that she has been a pawn in a master political chess game. O'Neill's cocaine problem leads to his demise, as Urqhart plants poison in his drugs and permits O'Neill's nature to do him in. Storin discovers this murder plot, and confronts Urqhart, who confesses, but then proceeds to throw Mattie Storin bodily from the roof of the House of Commons.

But, there was a tape recorder running, setting the stage for the sequel...

The Cast
Ian Richardson is masterful as Urqhart, the scheming blackheart Chief Whip/Prime Minister. His voice, his subtle inflections and tones are perfect for the subtext in the words he speaks. His sidewise glances and knowing expressions to camera as the action plays out is worth far more than any words. He is a perfect snobbish, upper-class politico who considers political office as patrician right, and despises pretenders to the role.

Diane Fletcher is superb as Elizabeth Urqhart, the equally manipulative wife. She is under utilised in this part of the trilogy, coming into her own as a character and an actress in later parts of the trilogy. One gets the strong sense of muted ambition and greed, but not amorality or power for power's sake from her, a distinction hard to play out on video. Fletcher succeeds beautifully.

Susannah Harker plays Mattie Storin, the troubled, intelligent and inexperienced journalist who falls for Urqhart. Her psychological instability and intelligence are played beautifully. Harker can make quite a statement just with the movements of her eyes, making her a good counterpoint to Richardson.

Miles Anderson plays the drug addict/party operative Roger O'Neill, doing a good job at playing the cad, the coward, and the fearful go-along with Urqhart's schemes. A rat trapped, O'Neill is at the breaking point, and Anderson plays this admirably.

Perhaps the best secondary roles were performed by Alphonsia Emmanuel, who plays O'Neill's assistant and lover Penny Guy, and James Villiers, who plays Charles Collingridge, the deposed Prime Minister's troubled brother. Their roles shine brilliantly despite the relative lack of screen time.

One gets the impression that everyone in British politics is brilliant and troubled. Well, the truth would be about half that.

The Play's the Thing...
This production, in writing and execution, is full of Shakespearean nuances. There are indirect and direct references to Richard III, and Urqhart is a Machiavellian manipulator in the Duke of Gloucester's image, recast for modern dress and situation, complete with stage whispers and asides to audience. The depth of the characters, while still remaining caricatures, is fascinating. Perhaps the best-known line for a while was Urqhart's attempts to get information out to the journalist Storin without actually telling her, and being guilty (by the letter of the law) for leaks and disclosures. She would hint and speculate, at which Urqhart would reply, 'You might very well think that. I of course couldn't possibly comment.'

John Major used this response in one of his own question-time exchanges, a use that was appreciated by the Members on both sides of the House.

Conclusions
For those who know nothing of British politics, this is actually a fascinating way to learn. For those who take an interest in British politics, this provides an intriguing fictional tale that is, in many ways, so close to reality on so many levels as to be positively unnerving.

Richardson rightly won BAFTA awards for his portrayal of Urqhart in each of the three installments, House of Cards and its sequels To Play the King and The Final Cut. These sequels were possibly only because of a BBC change to Dobbs' original manuscript, which had Urqhart rather than Storin falling from the rooftop garden of the House of Commons.

A bonus for the viewer.

"You do trust me? Of course you do...."
"House of Cards" may be the most fun many of us can have watching "Masterpiece Theater". It's story tells little more than the ascension of Francis Urquart (Ian Richardson) from a "party whip" in British Parliament to the ultimate position of Prime Minister. Schooled in the mechanics of parliaments' nastier side, Urquart outclasses those who stand between him and his prize. Aided by his wife, but finding much help in his rivals' wooden-headed resolve to play fair, FU is all but assured of triumph. While political evils are normally excused based on their good intentions, Urquart's are so irredeemably blackened that you'll never doubt how evil a guy he is - associating himself with greed, the police state and, when that's not enough, Americans (the epitome being a loud and corpulent sod who, while Urquart has yet to become PM, discusses his plans for FU's government; to drive home what those plans entails, the villainous yank presses FU while halfway through a steak large enough to have come from 2 cows). While FU counsel's caution, the only obstacle, ironically, is his love for a young journalist who has enough material to expose and bring his march on Parliament (like FU himself) to its knees. Will the evil FU (who communicates to us the depth of his dark ways with an on-running soliloquy ala Richard III) succumb to love, or will he stay true to form?

Though Urquart wears his evil openly, he and this multi-parter are actually full of surprises. For his wicked ways, FU is probably the most compelling hero you'll likely see on "Masterpiece Theater", and, if you're not up on that show, "House of Cards" is probably your best excuse for watching it at least once. Suggesting Shakespearean scheming and character-destruction (besides the "Richard III" monolog, there is Urquart's Lady Macbeth of a wife, while the young reporter with whom he courts love and his own destruction hints at a coupling of King Lear with Ophelia), the centerpiece is Ian Richardson as the smiling usurper-in-waiting who breathlessly outmaneuvers his clueless enemies. (FU implicates the PM in a stock deal over new drugs his government certifies). Never hesitating to tell us how much fun he's about to have, FU suggests that his audience is a whole lot smarter than the Brits over whom he's to govern, even though he ends up fooling us both. Only Mattie Storin, the reporter seems to have an insight into the real Urquart, and maybe that's why we're so eager for the mean FU to take action and win out over FU the good guy. "House of Cards" is "Masterpiece Theater" that gets you to root, even if for the bad guys. ... Read more

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. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Best from the Brits
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
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
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.

Having said all this, it's still a phenomenal ride. If you like political intrigue at all, the only better films are the other parts of this trilogy.

Witty and Wicked
Ian Richardson returns as the ruthless yet compelling Francis Urquhart. As the fictional Prime Minister of England, Urquhart finds himself in a royal battle with a newly appointed King. The King (portrayed with finesse by actor Michael Kitchen) launches an assault on Urquhart's "hard line" policies and enlists the aid of Urquhart's political enemies to gather against him. Adding to the balance of forces is Mrs. Sarah Harding (played by Kitty Aldrige), a young and attractive media pollster who becomes Urquhart's "personal political consultant" and, eventually, his mistress. Sarah soon uncovers incriminating information that can destroy Urquhart. Will she use it against him? Or will she end up like Mattie Storin, Urquhart's previous mistress who died under mysterious circumstances?

Giving the entire episode a strong allusion to "Macbeth" is Urquhart's occasional remorse for the brutality of his past, and the brutality he must inflict to gain/hold power. Speaking directly to the camera (and us, the viewer), he provides insight into his cunning yet tortured thought process. Diane Fletcher's role as Urquhart's wife, Elizabeth, completes the "Macbeth" allusion. Elizabeth exhibits a Lady Macbeth ruthlessness that matches Urquhart's ambitions. Of the King, she tells her husband, "Bring him down, Francis. Make him fall."

But can Urquhart bring down a king? Find out and be entertained along the way!

punchy
This is a four-part BBC television series, broadcast in America on PBS. It is the successor of "House of Cards" and the predecessor of "The Final Cut" and the best of the three series. It concerns a malevolent power-hungry Tory Prime Minister who clashes with a compassionate king. The dialogue is witty and fast-paced. The series has no redeeming social value: it's fun. ... Read more