Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9403 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-06-25
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 148 minutes

Special Features
English
Region 0

Synopsis
The complete television drama series 'A Very British Coup.' A steel worker is elected as Prime Minister. Based on the novel by Chris Mullen MP.

Customer Reviews

More prophesy than entertainment?
A Very British Coup is one of the landmark political dramas. Gripping from the outset. The election of a truly left-wing government and Prime Minister, who are intent on driving through their left-wing (and popular) agenda, scares the establishment into increasingly desperate machinations to discredit the elected representatives and regain control. What makes this drama so compulsive is the plausibility. I have an uneasy feeling that the situation this film portrays is more prophesy than entertainment.

Radical New Labour
Based on a 1970s novel this TV movie shows the son of a steelwoker Harry Perkins as Britain's first Radical, Pro-Communist, Labour Prime Minister. He has to deal with party factions, difficult unions and media moghals as well as a conspiracy of government officals and secret agents who seek his downfall. A very British coup, no blood, no revolution, just constant pressure and obstruction to force his resignation. Slickly made with excellent acting from Ray McAnally as the blunt spoken Perkins who is more devious than he seems. I remember this well from Thatcherite '88 when a socialist goverment was truly in the realms of fiction.

red harry
This is an accurate adaptation of Chris Mullins book. However the end is very different. I wont tell you how as it wouild spoil it.It is hard to believe that we could believe we could have a Labour govt. which was truly socialist unlike now when we have New labour which tries to be Tory and succeeds. It shows how a socialist govt. would have to overcome every obstacle from the faceless true rulers of Britain.Ray McNally puts in a brilliant display as Perkins and it was rightly recently shown again on UK Drama. Anybody with an interest in politics should get this. It will help you remember what socialism is. But dont tell Tony!