DVD Reviews

G.B.H. – DVD Review

By June L. Feb 27, 2010, 17:07 GMT

The multi-award-winning British political miniseries "A classic tale of power and corruption" --The Independent (U.K.) "A triumph" --Daily Telegraph (U.K.) It begins innocently enough: a politician calls a strike, and the headmaster of a local school inadvertently sabotages it. Soon the men are caught in a power struggle of epic proportions. Robert Lindsay (Horatio Hornblower) is brilliant as the corrupt, egomaniacal Labour party leader Michael Murray. Michael Palin (Monty Python) ...more

In the early 1990’s, most of Britain was mesmerized by the television miniseries G.B.H.  Now on DVD from Acorn Media, enhanced with commentary from the actors, audiences can experience again the story of Michael Murry’s rise and decline in Northern England politics.

This is a riveting story beginning with Michael Murray’s (Richard Lindsay) first days in power as a Labor party leader in the North of England.  In flashbacks to his youth, viewers get some idea that there is something not quite right, but we are not certain if he is the victim or the offender in a series of events that relate to his current treatment of his former teacher. 

In a twist of fate, a strike that he sets up is undermined unwittingly by a mild mannered school teacher Jim Nelson (Michael Palin) and the two men are deadlocked in an adversarial relationship.

It might be difficult for non-British audiences to grasp the entirety of the politics in this drama, but it will not keep them from being drawn into the story.  Michael Murray is charismatic and awful at the same time.  You want to believe that he is a force for change for the better, but then there are these hints that something is terribly wrong. 

Jim Nelson is good and heroic, and yet unaware of the magnitude of evil(?) in his adversary, or is it that Michael will simply do whatever he can to “be somebody.”  You watch, and you cringe, both wondering what will happen, and fearing the worst.  It is a type of suspense that is not commonly found in television productions, being both elegant and horrible in the telling. 

The acting is superb, Richard Lindsay is so believable as Murray and Michael Palin so earnest as Nelson, they are almost painful to watch.  It is a roller coaster ride of a story, as things happen, and more events follow upon the heels of actions.  It is like watching a building implode, fascinating and yet ultimately ending in destruction.

G.H.B. is presented on 4 discs containing 7 episodes, with a running time of 588 minutes.  Special features included with the DVD set are a commentary with actors Richard Lindsay, Michael Palin and commissioning editor Peter Ansorge for the first episode “It Couldn’t Happen Here.” 

This is a retrospective on the production as a whole, as well as full of information on early days of production.  Both actors are forthcoming with anecdotes and reminiscences of working on this project, and have stories illuminating both the difficulties and the pleasures of this work. 

In addition there is an interview with the author of the series Alan Bleasdale in which he discusses his intent and inspiration for this story.  Musician Elvis Costello won a BAFTA award for the soundtrack and a biography of him is also part of the specials.

Visit the DVD database for more information.