Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14540 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-06-16
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 85 minutes

DVD Description
This film tells the story of the rise and rise of the iron lady.

Margaret Thatcher is one of the world's most well-known public figures. But how much do we really know about her as a person? In this witty, humorous and imaginative drama, Britain's first female Prime Minister is portrayed as you've never imagined her. An attractive 25-year-old woman up against that most conservative and male of all institutions - the British Conservative Party.

Beginning on the night she met her husband-to-be Denis, the film tells of the young Margaret Thatcher's steely determination to get selected to a 'winnable' Tory seat in the Fifties and imagines what might have gone on behind the scenes during her ten-year struggle as she was rejected by a succession of five home counties Tory selection committees and finally - against considerable local opposition - selected for the seat she was to be identified with for the rest of her political career - Finchley!

Starring Andrea Riseborough, Rory Kinnear, Geoffrey Palmer, Oliver Ford Davies and Samuel West.

Synopsis
Margaret Thatcher is one of the world's most well-known public figures. But how much do we really know about her as a person? In this witty, humorous and imaginative drama, Britain's first female Prime Minister is portrayed as you've never imagined her. An attractive 25-year-old woman up against that most conservative and male of all institutions - the British Conservative Party.


Beginning on the night she met her husband-to-be Denis, the film tells of the young Margaret Thatcher's steely determination to get selected to a 'winnable' Tory seat in the Fifties and imagines what might have gone on behind the scenes during her ten-year struggle as she was rejected by a succession of five home counties Tory selection committees and finally - against considerable local opposition - selected for the seat she was to be identified with for the rest of her political career - Finchley!

Customer Reviews

Would you like a lift home . . . in the Jag ?
And so began the enduring and loving relationship between Denis Thatcher and Margaret Roberts, scientist and Conservative candidate for the "Socialist Republic of Dartford" (her words, not mine - I still live there !). Although she managed to greatly reduce the Labour majority there, she struggled to gain a candidacy elsewhere, coming against the old school tie, war medals and blatant sexism, more often than not from other women. Disillusioned, she briefly left politics and started a (instant and perfect - twin boy and girl) family (whilst studying for the bar) but the lure of Parliament was too strong and again she battled the odds on the "long walk to Finchley".

This film is a joy to watch, even for those with no interest in politics. Great chemistry between Riseborough and Kinnear who portray the marriage of Denis and Margaret with great charm and warmth. The discomfort endured by Edward Heath in his dealings with her is often hilarious, though it is pleasing to see him finally come to her aid in the fight for Finchley, the seat that finally gained her entry to the Commons.

You would not readily associate Margaret Thatcher with comedy; this is not slapstick or situation stuff, but a gentle, warm and intelligent film, pure British gold that I highly recommend.

Excellent!!
Informative and entertaining. Helps one appreciate how determined the 'iron lady' was to 'get on' and achieve her goal. Occasionally she appears to put her career before her husband and family. A strong woman, I doubt her family were actually ignored, but she was definitely in the limelight, as we all know. Looking back, she was exactly what Britain needed at the time - a kick up the backside, even thought many of us were negative at the time.

Far Beyond My Expectations
This is a perfect blend of political fact and fiction. I never liked the real Thatcher, but this portrayal of her early days in politics paints a picture that counters expectations. The young Thatcher (played brilliantly by Riseborough) is simultaneously attractive and sympathetic as well as the stubborn and self-opinionated monster she became. The writing is heavenly, and the barbed humour always on target.