Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9424 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-06-12
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 595 minutes

DVD Description

Alan Bleasdale’s G.B.H. [1991] is a darkly humorous epic about power, corruption and madness--played out in the conflict between an enigmatic politician, Michael Murray (Robert Lindsay), and his nemesis, schoolteacher Jim Nelson (Michael Palin). Nelson defies a Murray-inspired 24-hour strike and inadvertently steals the limelight when it is picked up by the press. While Murray seeks revenge in what is initially a one-sided fight, we slowly discover the secrets in his past that will cause his carefully constructed world to unravel. Then, just when the pressure of public life and power games start getting on top of him, a beautiful woman arrives on the scene…

Synopsis

When the politically ambitious Michael Murray meets headmaster, Jim Nelson, their lives are changed forever.

Customer Reviews

Unequalled
This is one of a select few British dramas that is a genuine classic. Alan Bleasdale's writing has the range you'd expect but it's the casting that seasls its place. Michael Palin is superb as Jim Nelson the quiet schoolteacher with the steely resolve, with Lindsay Duncan also superb. The supporting cast of Bleasdale regulars such as Julie Walter, Tom Georgeson and Andrew Schofield also excel, but none of them can match the virtuoso performance of Robert Lindsay as corrupt Labour council leader Michael Murray.

Loosely based on Derek Hatton, his character's gradual disintegration as his carefully built facade comes crashing down around him is one of the all time great comic drama performances in this multi-layered critique of the loony left and the shadowy figures in the margins of British politics.

The plot is superbly constructed, written and acted with the right mix of comedy, drama, tension and tragedy. At this price it's unmissable, and is worth it for episode 4 alone where Murray's desperate antics are surreally set off by a Dr. Who convention.

Genius.

Stellar work that's streets ahead
One of the greatest examples of television drama, Alan Bleasdale's masterpiece has lost none of its power in the 15 years since first broadcast and----while Michael Palin and Lindsay Duncan have moved on to projects that highlighted their talents better---Robert Lindsay has never come close to even equalling, let alone eclipsing, this work. His portrayal of Michael Murray---sometime Derek Hatton, sometime Dr Strangelove, sometime victim---is perfect, making an unlikeable, corrupt bully completely sympathetic to the viewer.
If this was being made today, it would be six episodes of 50 minutes. In 1991, it was seven parts of uneven lengths, allowing even the peripheral characters the opportunity to shine. Politically, it may be a Guardian reader's wishful thinking----a liberal fable, like much of The West Wing. Dramatically, it's almost Dickensian with its characters and Shakespearean with its plot.
Michael Palin shines as the epitome of decency; Lindsay Duncan is her usual luminous perfection; and Robert Lindsay is just fantastic in the role of a lifetime. Sterling work by a marvellous cast, with particular praise for David Ross's Mr Weller and Philp Whitchurch as Franky Murray.
This is the kind of thing we do best---playing to our strengths, with our own cultural references and no concerns about how it will be sold to the US. If you like British drama, buy this. I didn't use the word "masterpiece" lightly.

If only all TV drama was this good ..............
A fantastic drama from the pen of Alan Bleasdale, richly deserves to be listed amongst the greats of TV dramas series such as Edge of Darkness and The Singing Detective.

Pretty much faultless performances from everyone involved, especially Michael Palin and Robert Lindsay. The emotional involevement is tremendous and extremely rewarding for the viewer. The storyline is multi-layered as are the first class characters.

A must see. Brilliant.