The UK "House Of Cards" trilogy starring the late Ian Richardson appears to be the basis for the more recent "House Of Cards" (2013 Netflix) USA TV dramatic series starring Kevin Spacey.
The "new" "House Of Cards" (2013 NetFlix) is based on a UK mini-series done in the 1990's, starring Ian Richardson.
The USA version is set in Washington DC with American characters, and centering on high level USA politicians.
The UK show depicted infighting and back-stabbing on the parts of high level politicians trying to get even higher, or trying to keep high places already achieved.
The world of behind the scenes politics is nasty at times, and the variety of ways nastiness can happen is what "House Of Cards" (both UK and USA versions) seems to be about.
The unsettled, unpleasant, and unstable world of high level politics is not new to the world of movies and dramatic TV shows, and "House Of Cards" (2013) appears to be a recent addition to a long tradition (going back to Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" play and before) well known to the history of dramatic presentations.
That the show will be tawdry and unpleasant seems likely.
High level politicians, in addition to being powerful and dramatic, are often well educated, cultured, interesting people with varied interests and interesting personalities.
The "House Of Cards" (2013 Netflix) show could be better than the UK show if it depicted some of this along with the same old, same old back stabbing, careerism portraits of egotism amongst the rich, famous, and powerful.
Whether it will be (though it could be) charming, intelligent, informed, even erudite remains to be seen.
The addition of these qualities would be welcomed, if unexpected.
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Written by Tex Allen, SAG-AFTRA movie/ TV dramatic actor.
Email Tex at TexAllen@Rocketmail.Com
The "new" "House Of Cards" (2013 NetFlix) is based on a UK mini-series done in the 1990's, starring Ian Richardson.
The USA version is set in Washington DC with American characters, and centering on high level USA politicians.
The UK show depicted infighting and back-stabbing on the parts of high level politicians trying to get even higher, or trying to keep high places already achieved.
The world of behind the scenes politics is nasty at times, and the variety of ways nastiness can happen is what "House Of Cards" (both UK and USA versions) seems to be about.
The unsettled, unpleasant, and unstable world of high level politics is not new to the world of movies and dramatic TV shows, and "House Of Cards" (2013) appears to be a recent addition to a long tradition (going back to Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" play and before) well known to the history of dramatic presentations.
That the show will be tawdry and unpleasant seems likely.
High level politicians, in addition to being powerful and dramatic, are often well educated, cultured, interesting people with varied interests and interesting personalities.
The "House Of Cards" (2013 Netflix) show could be better than the UK show if it depicted some of this along with the same old, same old back stabbing, careerism portraits of egotism amongst the rich, famous, and powerful.
Whether it will be (though it could be) charming, intelligent, informed, even erudite remains to be seen.
The addition of these qualities would be welcomed, if unexpected.
----------------------
Written by Tex Allen, SAG-AFTRA movie/ TV dramatic actor.
Email Tex at TexAllen@Rocketmail.Com