Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

House of Cards Trilogy Blu-ray Movie Review

"You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment."

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown February 21, 2013

Premiering on the BBC in 1990, 1993 and 1995 respectively, writer Andrew Davies and producer Ken Riddington's House of Cards and its sequels, To Play the King and The Final Cut, hold up remarkably well in 2013, even on this side of the pond. David Fincher and Kevin Spacey's excellent modernized and Americanized adaptation (the first 13-episode season of which is currently available on Netflix) will be more familiar and accessible to U.S. audiences, of course, but that shouldn't prevent anyone from giving the Ian Richardson-starring original a chance. Corrupt politicians. Unquenchable ambition. Daring power grabs. Delusions of grandeur. Manipulation. Greed. Murder. The House of Cards trilogy leaves little room for hope and even less room for idealism. This is cold, calculating, cynical political theater with grand Shakespearean aspirations and an unsettling and most unexpected ring of truth.

House of Cards (1990, 4 Episodes): Richardson is Conservative and Unionist Party Chief Whip Francis Urquhart, a shrewd, Machiavellian schemer who will stop at nothing to ascend to the rank of Prime Minister. Loosely based on the novel of the same name by author Michael Dobbs, the first serial in the series follows Urquhart as he enters into a carefully orchestrated, self-serving affair with reporter Mattie Storin (Susannah Harker) and begins working to discredit Margaret Thatcher's successor, Hal Collingridge (David Lyon). But House of Cards isn't a political soap opera or over-reaching, conspiracy-rich melodrama. Davies and director Paul Seed construct a riveting post-morality play in which the classically trained Richardson, with electrifying directness and fourth-wall freedom, manipulates the viewer as cleverly and startlingly as Urquhart manipulates the political landscape. Is it possible to root for someone whose own wife encourages his affair to further their position? To secretly cheer when all the pieces of his plan fall into place? To quietly wish for Urquhart to come out on top, if only so we can partake in the devilish delights of his next villainous campaign? Davies, Seed and Richardson make a convincing case that the answer to all three questions is "yes." Part of the allure of House of Cards lies in its unflinching portrait of corruption, to the point of presenting corruption as a twisted political virtue rather than a simple means to an end. The fact that the trio pull it off is a testament to their craft and cunning, as well as their audience's deep-seated distaste for and distrust of the powers that be.

To Play the King (1993, 4 Episodes): In a drastic departure from Dobbs' original novel (in which Urquhart dies), Seed and Davies' second BBC serial finds Richardson's Urquhart alive and well, and in his second term as Prime Minister. In perpetual disagreement with England's newly anointed king (Michael Kitchen), Urquhart sets out to use every weapon at his disposal -- the press, undisclosed scandals, constitutional law and delicate alliances -- to knock the socially attuned royal off the throne. He's also willing to do anything to preserve his own seat of power, an unwavering desire that brings pits him against an old friend, Conservative Party Chairman Tim Stamper (Colin Jeavons). To Play the King is as engrossing as House of Cards, and certainly more tense, but it also feels more detached from reality. The higher Urquhart climbs, the farther his feet drift from the ground, the more alien and alienating he and his actions become. This is Urquhart ascended, or descended rather, and he isn't as fascinating a Prime Minister as he was a member of Parliament. That said, Davies' story and dialogue are as sharp and serrated as ever ("you have a remarkable brain, and I should like to plunder it"), and Seed's handling of the material oozes confidence. Richardson and his supporting cast are terrific too, regardless of how effective each back-stab and betrayal may be. With considerable control, Richardson dominates the floor, speaking to the camera and pulling back the curtain on the inner workings of a scrupulous, self-righteous political scoundrel.

The Final Cut (1995, 4 Episodes): Obsessed with breaking Margaret Thatcher's record as longest serving Prime Minister, Urquhart returns in full yet diminished force, his wits dulled by compulsion, self importance and years upon years of deceit. He soon sets his mind to erect a legacy, and chooses a conflict in Cyprus as the stage to build it on. Secrets from his past threaten to come to light, though, and Urquhart finds himself in the spotlight and under fire, fighting to survive whatever the cost. But, for the first time, his fate may no longer be in his hands. The Final Cut presents the once-tenacious Urquhart in rapid decline. The wolves are closing in, the years are taking their toll and the long-standing PM is faced with the price of isolation. Richardson, Davies and director Mike Vardy (replacing Seed) chart Urquhart's fall with precision and clarity, allowing the antihero turned villain to rot in a hell of his own making. Suddenly it's Urquhart who's being manipulated. Suddenly it's Urquhart fending off the next in line. Urquhart clutching at everything he's gained. The performances are excellent all around, from Richardson and from co-stars Diane Fletcher as the PM's wife, Nick Brimble as his bodyguard, Isla Blair as his secretary and Paul Freeman as one of his chief rivals. The Final Cut also brings nice, fittingly round closure to the House of Cards trilogy, and ends with the revelation that there will always be an Urquhart waiting in the wings, ready to make their play for power. Politics are, after all, little more than a house of cards.

House of Cards Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The bulk of the House of Cards trilogy fares well on Blu-ray thanks to a solid 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer that, for the most part, remains true to its source. Colors are a touch skewed and dusty, with the distinct look of an early '90s BBC television film, but skintones are warm and fairly natural, primaries have some staying power, delineation is decidedly decent and black levels are deep and satisfying. And while To Play the King suffers from over-lit shots, flushed faces, over-saturation and hot contrast, it too appears to be a rather faithful representation of the 1993 sequel's original photography. Fortunately, its offending scenes are the exception rather than the rule, just as it is the lone exception in the trilogy's video presentation. Otherwise, grain is intact, detail is surprisingly strong (in spite of the films' inherent softness) and noise reduction and other cleanup/remastering techniques have been employed within reason and only result in a few negative side effects. Artifacts, banding and aliasing are held at bay too, and slight crush, minor ringing and a hint of color bleeding (primarily in King) are the only real issues to report. All things considered, the trilogy looks quite good. From best to worst, with individual scores: The Final Cut (4.25/5), House of Cards (3.75/5) and To Play the King (3/5).

House of Cards Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

All three films in the House of Cards trilogy feature proficient, well-preserved but ultimately underwhelming DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks. Dialogue is clean and clear, and only subject to some minor prioritization problems. The rest of the soundscape follows suit. Noise, hiss and muffled effects are kept to a minimum, and the shortcomings that do present themselves trace back to the original audio elements. All told (and there isn't much to tell), each stereo mix is serviceable and light on distractions.

House of Cards Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentaries (Discs 1-3): "House of Cards" Episode 1 with actor Ian Richardson, writer Andrew Davies and producer Ken Riddington, "To Play the King" Episode 1 with Richardson, Davies and Riddington, and "The Final Cut" Episode 1 with the same. The commentaries are reasonably informative but, unfortunately, dry and sparse, making each one a bit of a charming but unsatisfying chore.
• Andrew Davies Interview (Disc 3, SD, 9 minutes): Davies discusses the controversy surrounding the release of "To Play the King" in this early '90s vintage interview.
• Westminster: Behind Closed Doors (Disc 3, HD, 51 minutes): In this 1995 documentary, retired British Labour Party politician Tony Benn provides a unique tour of the Palace of Westminster, the home of Parliament.

House of Cards Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Yes, the BBC's House of Cards trilogy is dated compared to its 2013 Fincher/Spacey Netflix counterpart, but writer Andrew Davies and Ian Richardson deliver both gripping political theater and a memorable scoundrel as villainous as he is strangely charming. The 3-disc Blu-ray release of the trilogy -- House of Cards (1990), To Play a King (1993) and The Final Cut (1995) -- offers a solid AV presentation and a decent selection of extras, making the original BBC films well worth your time.