House of Cards Trilogy (BBC Series) Special Edition -- January 15th, 2013

[McCrutchy]

House of Cards Trilogy Blu-ray PRE-ORDER

BBC Home Entertainment has detailed the Blu-ray release of Andrew Davies' House of Cards Trilogy, a critically acclaimed political television serial broadcast in three parts: House of Cards in 1990, To Play the King in 1993 and The Final Cut in 1995. All three are being made available as part of one 3-disc set on January 15, 2013.

Adapted for the screen by Davies, House of Cards is a spell-binding dissection of naked ambition, greed and rampant hypocrisy in the corridors of power. The series documents in thrilling detail the rise of Tory Chief Whip Francis Urquhart (Ian Richardson), a man with unwavering contempt for those with "no background, no bottom." With the downfall of Margaret Thatcher, a bitter internecine power struggle ensues within the Conservative Party. Urquhart schemes more devilishly than Iago to depose Thatcher's colorless John Major-style successor. And even Machiavelli would baulk at Urquhart's methods. Any and every act -- including murder -- is legitimate and the ends very much justify the means.

Special features include:

Commentary for Ep 1 of each season with Davies and star Ian Richardson
Andrew Davies on "To Play The King" controversy
TBC: Westminster Behind Closed Doors With Tony Benn

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=10100

If you can't tell I'm excited, then you don't know the series.

[Rizor]

I'm excited for this as well, especially if BBC does as a good job as they usually do as the DVDs were fairly poor. Should look great with a proper remaster. I don't think they've released too many older titles like this on BD.

[McCrutchy]

House of Cards Trilogy Blu-ray PRE-ORDER

[sandy_bridge]

any idea if those are 24p or 60i ?

[Rizor]

Anyone pick this up or seen any reviews? The trilogy is up on Netflix in HD, but it's been reformatted in 1.78:1 and doesn't look too great. Any word on the Blu-ray?

[Jenufa]

Just received it today and am watching the first episode now. It looks fantastic. Really beautiful considering it's nearly 25 years old. Truly amazing detail and realistic colors.

Loving the commentary with with Davies and Richardson, although, unfortunately the subtitles don't work while the commentary is on. No matter: to my admittedly inexpert eye, this is one of the best looking Blu-Rays I've seen. Even the rat looks great!

[Devilutionary]

not that i have watched either, but does this have anything to do with the netflix original series? Did they remake it?

[sandy_bridge]

Originally Posted by Jenufa

Just received it today and am watching the first episode now.

can you tell please if it's 24p or 60i ?

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by Jenufa

Just received it today and am watching the first episode now. It looks fantastic. Really beautiful considering it's nearly 25 years old. Truly amazing detail and realistic colors.

Loving the commentary with with Davies and Richardson, although, unfortunately the subtitles don't work while the commentary is on. No matter: to my admittedly inexpert eye, this is one of the best looking Blu-Rays I've seen. Even the rat looks great!

What aspect ratio is it in? The original 1.33:1 or has it been reformatted to 1.78:1?

Originally Posted by Devilutionary

not that i have watched either, but does this have anything to do with the netflix original series? Did they remake it?

This series is based on a British novel by Michael Dobbs. The Netflix series is a remake of both the book and this series that Americanizes the story and expands upon it.

[Millibar]

The BBC version can be seen on virgin's on demand at the moment - quality is pretty poor

If the blueray release had been tidied up & kept in its original aspect ratio I will buy it.

Any details on the transfer would be appreciated

[Jenufa]

Sorry folks, but you're talking to a totally non-techie. Here's what the back of the jewel box says:

Video format: High definition 1080p/4:3
Audio: DTS-HD 2.0
Subtitles: English
Length: 600 minutes
Disc format: 3xBD50

I have not a clue what any of that means, but I hope it helps.

I'm watching on a 48 inch HDTV and there are bands at the side, but not at the top and bottom, so I'd guess it's original format.

[rafaelsalguero]

you know if this comes with spanish subtitles?

[Rizor]

Sounds like it's in the original aspect ratio. I was worried because the HD version on Netflix is badly cropped to 1.78:1.

[Millibar]

Thanks Jenufa

That is just what I wanted to hear

Now my only problem is why is it a region A release and not available in region B

I can't even see it on the BBC UK web site

[sandy_bridge]

Originally Posted by Jenufa

Sorry folks, but you're talking to a totally non-techie. Here's what the back of the jewel box says:

Video format: High definition 1080p/4:3

thanks for the info!
I find cover info to be wrong many times though. A bluray player usually would have an "info" button that will display audio and video specs on screen when you play the disc. I'm mostly worried about it being 1080i (60i) and not 1080p (24p), as they many times do with PAL material in the US (when PAL was the native material). Cover many times would say P even though it's i.
I hope it is really progressive and not interlaced.

[FruityOatyBar]

Wow! What a surprise to see this on BD! Perfect timing though.

I just ADORE this series, but will wait for a detailed review before I buy it. Would be awesome if the HD remaster made it to iTunes as well.

[BluraySe7en]

Mine is on it's way, gave my DVD set to a friend who still hasn't watched it (his loss).

From the reviews I've read around the net it seems this a bit of a triumph in the quality stakes. I've loved this series from the moment I saw it back in the 90's and have owned it on VHS, DVD and soon Blu ray. Ian Richardson is simply magnetic in the role of Francis Urqhart and Andrew Davies script betters Michael Dobbs first 2 novels although strangely I enjoyed the novel more when it came to the third and final part The Final Cut. Series 1 is some of the best TV the Beeb has ever produced and S2 is excellent although the final series while still very good is the weakest of the lot.

I am also a fan of the Netflix show and think Fincher & co have given it a terrific updating, nice to let a few years pass before adapting unlike the Killing & The Bridge but that is another story.

Surely this must mean the BBC can remaster in what in my view is the best thing they've ever done, I'm talking about Our Friends In The North.

Not only did this bring a certain Daniel Craig into the spotlight and also Mark Strong is as powerful as any U.S drama and has some of the best acting I've ever seen on TV. Craig is unlikely to top his performance here, it's no slight he's just that good, as is Christopher Eccleston, Gina Mckee plus a supporting cast that includes David Bradley, Peter Vaughn, Alun Armstrong & Malcolm McDowell.

A proper restoration of OFITN can't be too much to ask considering the pedigree on display, I'm sure with Craig's and Strong's popularity there is a market out there for it, especially if they think HOC can be remastered and released on Blu ray then I certainly think Our Friends can, come on BBC pull your finger out.

[willh51]

Originally Posted by rafaelsalguero

you know if this comes with spanish subtitles?

No, it only has English SDH.

It's in 1.33:1/1080p/AVC with DTS-HDMA 2.0.

[Midsomerlover]

Received my copy today and already (re)watched the first episode.

All I can say is WOW, what a brilliant remastering - one of the better ones I've seen since buying a Blu-Ray player. Especially the helicopter shots of the opening titels are a real treat to watch.

Keem 'em coming BBC!

[R o d]

Those who are familiar with this series, can you please comment on what you like about it. Does it have much replay value?