Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12793 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-05-03
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 180 minutes

Synopsis
Television drama based on the diaries of MP Alan Clarke.

Customer Reviews

A true rogue of the old school - that's why we all loved him
As he himself would no doubt say - F*** John Hurt, what about Alan Clark?

He was everything instict dictates we should hate: An unapologetic toff who inherited his wealth, a self-centred egomaniac, a letcherous womaniser, and worst of all, a Thatcherite politician. The operative word here, more than in any other context I can think of, is "unapologetic"

When all the ministers around him were resigning after trying to cover up their sleaze, the reson Alan Clark survived, and indeed flourished, in many people's estimation was that he hardly ever tried to conceal anything, except perhaps from his beloved wife.

Right from his references to "Bong-Bongo land" to his description of the Conservative party as "an old whore that's been around for 400 years" Alan Clark is utterly controversial, hilariously witty, occasionally very perceptive, and, surprisingly, very touching indeed.

Clark made his name as a historian and his literary skills are very much on display, but two things about him are extremely surprising - firstly, despite his infidelities, his total devotion to his wife, and secondly his passionate views about the evils of animal cruelty.

But the aspect of the man that really comes through is that he is absolutely aware of his own character. He knows he has flaws, he knows he is arrogant about his strengths, he knows he causes his wife a lot of heartache, but he is at all times utterly his own man.

His life revolves around money, power, fast cars, beautiful - and preferably young - women, but while we really ought to hate him, all we are left with is a grudging admiration for a man with the cheek to try and pull it off - who succeeds!

John Hurt - simply brilliant !!! Superb actors throughout
Top Notch acting throughout. John Hurt and Jenny Agutter deliver masterful performances, but actually all acting is superb in this series. A true delight. A masterpiece. Priceless.

John Hurt on Outstanding Form
Alan Clark was a conceited, narcissistic politician with laughable delusions about his own talent and worth. There’s no doubt that Clark’s distinctive voice came through powerfully in his diaries.

The diaries are the smug, self-important, shallow ramblings of a lightweight of the Thatcher years. This BBC series covers the beginning of his career in Government in 1983 and range to his death in 1999.

The series (6 x 30mins) dramatises the diaries in a quiet, understated and quite brilliant manner. Jon Jones’ (Cold Feet, The Debt) screenplay adaptation, along with his direction, are un-showy, subtle and skilful (for example – watch for the way the exasperated Mrs Clark lays the breakfast table one morning – brilliant).

The wonderful revelation here is John Hurt – he communicates volumes with just a look and a vocal inflection. A delightful example of truly effective screen acting.

Hurt’s is a great and convincing performance. His facial expressions, mannerisms and voice-over readings vividly capture this gruff, vain, spoilt, grumpy, self-absorbed politician and really bring him to life.

Jenny Agutter delivers a stand-out performance as his wife and every other acting turn is telling and truthful. For example, William Armstrong as a fawning, irritating, duty-bound Civil Servant or Julia Davis as his first Private Secretary.

A strong complement to the written diaries with Hurt’s acting easily matching his memorable performances as Quentin Crisp and John Merrick.