The FRiday Night Movie - House of Cards (1990)

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[DemforBush]

Long before Frank Underwood, there was Francis Urquhart. Ian Richardson stars in this sublime political thriller from the BBC. Long-serving and highly respected Tory Chief Whip Urquhart has hopes of a spot in the new PM's Cabinet. When those hopes are dashed by the new - and rather feckless - Prime Minister Henry Colingridge (David Lyons), Urquhart begins to have his own ideas of how to run a country...

[DemforBush]

Television doesn't get much better than this. Ian Richardson was one of the best actors of his generation, and he's simply brilliant as Urquhart. One of the greatest performances of all time. Great supporting cast, too. 8.75/10.

The miniseries is in 4 parts, here are parts 2, 3, and 4

[DemforBush]

Ping!

[DemforBush]

Previously Shown (strikethrough = video no longer available for viewing)

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[naturalman1975]

You might very well think that. I could not possibly comment.

[laplata]

Thanks. I’m looking forward to watching it.

[T-Bird45]

Loved that line - you could almost see it coming.

[naturalman1975]

I felt the need to try and be the first to type it.

[naturalman1975]

One thing that is worth knowing is that, simply by chance (it had been scheduled well in advance) the first episode of this originally aired just four days after Michael Heseltine launched his challenge to Margaret Thatcher’s leadership as Prime Minister that would end her term in office. Making Urquhart’s opening lines as he looks at a photo of Thatcher rather topical at the time.

“Nothing lasts forever. Even the longest, the most glittering reign must come to an end someday.”

[USNBandit]

This season of Frank Underwood was tedious, preachy, and sanctimonious. The appeal of the character is his conniving and underhanded ways. I don't need to have him constantly going the gay way or betraying his wife.

That was not a problem for Francis Urquhart.

[GeronL]

It was probably one of the best programs I ever saw.

[GeronL]

bump

[FredZarguna]

It remains to be seen, but by all appearances I think House of Cards has jumped the shark. The idea that a ruthless political wife would leave her husband over a sudden moral revelation is preposterous in the extreme. Claire Underwood is every bit as loathsome as Frank. People like her don't change.

[gattaca]

I watched this on Netflix. I actually prefer this version over the US one.

[patriot08]

Liked House of Sand and Fog better, Anybody seen that!

[bonfire]

ITA. It totally went off track. Hope the next season is an improvement.

[llevrok]

I agree. Ian Richardson is a great actor.

He was also wonderful as “Bill Haydon” in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy mini series. “Regards to Ann....”

[4everontheRight]

I agree!! I originally saw the British version and was not surprised when US TV tried to do their version but their was no comparison! At least not in the way the main characters are portrayed...Creeps me out but I still have that “Daddy” stuck in my head...yikes.

[DeaconBenjamin]

Enjoyed this version. Never bothered to watch the US knockoff.

[Captain Peter Blood]

I have seen the British version a few times and Ian Richardson steals this and just chews the scenery up playing this guy.

He is much better than Kevin Spacey, and he isn’t having an affair with his Security Guard.

[Silentgypsy]

Thank you!