Search - House of Cards Trilogy, Vol. 1 - House of Cards on DVD

PBS at its best

Hofman | Winnetka, IL United States | 10/30/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The trilogy, House of Cards, To Play the King, and The Final Cut is so good it made me change my mind about throwing my television in the dumpster. Ian Richardson is remarkable, the casting is supurb and the story is engrossing. This is a must see production if contemporary British political intrigue is up your street."

FU, The Greatest Villain in Television History

Mike | Bound Brook, NJ United States | 04/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

An Excellently Acted, Clever And Humorous Political Thriller

Peter Fennessy | Bloomfield Hills, MI USA | 07/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Fascinating

John Parker Marmaro | Spring Hill, Florida | 02/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The great Ian Richardson plays Francis Urquhart in a dazzling and spellbinding performance: like Richard III, we find ourselves relishing watching him all the while we are amazed at his evil. His asides to the audience are both deliciously funny and profoundly chilling. He always keeps us guessing, and we cheer for him in spite of ourselves -- yet at the final climax, with its visceral shock, we see that the charm hides a terrifying ruthlessness. Truly disturbing. Highly recommended."