|
House of Cards (1990) 8.2
Francis Urquhart is the chief whip of the Conservative party. When Margaret Thatcher resigns as leader, he remains neutral and after a general election where the conservatives are returned ... See full summary » |
| 0Share... |
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: House of Cards (1990– )
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
People who liked this also liked...
The Final Cut
(TV Mini-Series 1995)
Drama
Stars:
Ian Richardson,
Diane Fletcher,
Paul Freeman
To Play the King
(TV Mini-Series 1993)
Drama
Stars:
Ian Richardson,
Michael Kitchen,
Kitty Aldridge
Borgen
(TV Series 2010)
Drama
Stars:
Sidse Babett Knudsen,
Birgitte Hjort Sørensen,
Emil Poulsen
Downton Abbey
(TV Series 2010)
Drama
Stars:
Hugh Bonneville,
Phyllis Logan,
Elizabeth McGovern
The Borgias
(TV Series 2011)
Crime
|
Drama
|
History
Stars:
Jeremy Irons,
François Arnaud,
Holliday Grainger
The Politician's Wife
(TV Series 1995)
Drama
Stars:
Juliet Stevenson,
Trevor Eve,
Ian Bannen
Edit
Cast
| Complete series cast summary: | |||
| Ian Richardson | ... |
Francis Urquhart
(4 episodes, 1990)
|
|
| Susannah Harker | ... |
Mattie Storin
(4 episodes, 1990)
|
|
| Miles Anderson | ... |
Roger O'Neill
(4 episodes, 1990)
|
|
 |
Alphonsia Emmanuel | ... |
Penny Guy
(4 episodes, 1990)
|
| Malcolm Tierney | ... |
Patrick Woolton
(4 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
|
Diane Fletcher | ... |
Elizabeth Urquhart
(4 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
Colin Jeavons | ... |
Tim Stamper
(4 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
Damien Thomas | ... |
Michael Samuels
(4 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
William Chubb | ... |
John Krajewski
(4 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
Kenneth Gilbert | ... |
Harold Earle
(4 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
Christopher Owen | ... |
McKenzie
(4 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
David Lyon | ... |
Prime Minister Henry Collingridge
(3 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
Kenny Ireland | ... |
Ben Landless
(3 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
James Villiers | ... |
Charles Collingridge
(3 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
Isabelle Amyes | ... |
Anne Collingridge
(3 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
John Hartley | ... |
Greville Preston
(3 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
Nicholas Selby | ... |
Lord Billsborough
(2 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
Tommy Boyle | ... |
Stephen Kendrick
(2 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
John Arnatt | ... |
Sir Jasper Grainger
(2 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
Richard Braine | ... |
Kevin Spence
(2 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
Hugh Dickson | ... |
Dr. Andrew Christian
(2 episodes, 1990)
|
|
|
Angela Rippon | ... |
Newsreader
(2 episodes, 1990)
|
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Francis Urquhart is the chief whip of the Conservative party. When Margaret Thatcher resigns as leader, he remains neutral and after a general election where the conservatives are returned with a reduced majority, he fully expects the new Prime Minister, Henry Collingridge, to give him his just reward: a senior Cabinet post. When he's informed that he is to stay in his current position, he devises a plot to unseat Collingridge and ensure his own election as party leader which would make his Prime Minister. Written by garykmcd
Genres:
DramaParents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
31 March 1991 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Castillo de naipes See more »Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
(4 episodes)Color:
Color
Edit
Francis Urquhart: I'm the Chief Whip. Merely a functionary. I keep the troops in line. I put a bit of stick about. I make 'em jump.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Francis Urquhart's catchphrase "You might very well think that; but I couldn't possibly comment" (meaning "Yes, but I'll deny everything if challenged") has become part of the English political language. "Urquhart's Avoidance" is as widely known as real-life political euphemisms such as "he wants to spend more time with his family" ("he's been sacked or resigned in disgrace") and "he's been economical with the truth" ("he's told blatant lies to save his own skin"). See more »Quotes
[speaking to camera]Francis Urquhart: I'm the Chief Whip. Merely a functionary. I keep the troops in line. I put a bit of stick about. I make 'em jump.
See more »
"House of Cards" is an entertaining and frightening tale. Ian Richardson, playing the intelligent and ruthless Francis Urquhart, immediately draws the viewer into the tale with his wry comments to the camera, discreet confidences just between the two of you, and compels you to accompany him as the tale moves from an amusing political fantasy to something altogether darker.
The writing and acting is spot on (I must give kudos to Susannah Harker whose fine performance as Mattie Storin has, I think, been overlooked by many viewers), and the pace of the show doesn't slow until the final, shocking end.
I am constantly recommending "House of Cards" to friends, to the point of hosting viewing parties at my place every few months, and I'm not tired of watching it, yet! :) I find that anyone who enjoys such pieces as "I, Claudius" or any other involuted, political drama, will enjoy "House of Cards".