State of Play (Miniseries) | 
 enlarge | Actors: James Macavoy, Bill Nighy
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $34.98
Buy New: $25.36
You Save: $9.62 (28%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  26 reviews
Sales Rank: 934
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 350
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: 1000036405
UPC: 883929005932
EAN: 0883929005932
ASIN: B000YRY8BG
Theatrical Release Date: 2003
Release Date: February 26, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Stephen Collins is an ambitious politician. Cal McAffrey is a well-respected investigative journalist and Stephen's ex-campaign manager. En route to work one morning Stephen's research assistant mysteriously falls to her death on the London Underground. It's not long before revelations of their affair hit the headlines. Meanwhile a suspected teenage drug dealer is found shot dead. These (apparently unconnected) events expose a dangerous habit within modern government of dancing too closely with the corporate devil. Friendships are tested and lives are put on the line as an intricate web of lies unfolds.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/BBC UPC: 883929005932 Manufacturer No: 1000036405
Amazon.com
One of the BBC's best, this six-part thriller wastes no time building intrigue. It begins like an entry in the fast-paced Bourne series with a foot chase through London, followed by two execution-style hits. Moments later, MP Stephen Collins (David Morrissey) finds out his research assistant, Sonia, was killed in an accident. Newspaper editor Cameron Foster (Bill Nighy) and reporters Della (Kelly Macdonald) and Cal (John Simm), Stephen's former campaign manager, intend to establish whether the events are related. When they realize he's following identical leads for a competing paper, Foster drafts his son, Dan (James McAvoy), to join their investigation. Before long, the team discovers Stephen was having an affair with Sonia. When the news becomes public, his wife, Ann (Polly Walker), leaves him. Then Della finds that the murder victim, a 15-year-old "bag snatcher" from the wrong side of the tracks, contacted Sonia the day she died. He swiped her briefcase, hoping for cash, but found incriminating photos instead--Sonia's death may not have been accidental. From that point forward, it's a free-for-all between the politicians, the press, the police, and big business. An ill-timed affair will complicate matters further. State of Play embodies British television at its finest. It's also a particularly pulse-pounding portrayal of the journalistic life, a small-screen successor to fact-based films like All the Presidents Men and Zodiac--but with a lot more tea and biscuits. Writer Paul Abbott (Touching Evil) and director David Yates (The Girl in the Cafe) provide low-key commentary for the first episode, while Yates, producer Hilary Bevan Jones, and editor Mark Day contribute to the sixth. Like 1989 miniseries Traffik, the basis for Steven Soderbergh's award-winning movie, State of Play would later be adapted for the big screen by The Last King of Scotland's Kevin Macdonald. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
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| Customer Reviews: Read 21 more reviews...
A Twist at the End August 4, 2008
This was an excellent TV series! It features some of my favorite British actors. Bill Nighy is excellent with his deadpan humor in his role as editor ~ but so are all the others. The script never drags along so the audience cannot lose interest. It has been produced for American television (condensed to two hours with a different setting and different stars) due out in April 2009. I don't see how one could improve on the original, however. It is well worth the time you will invest in watching. It truly does have an unexpected twist at the end!
Had my heart racing -- LITERALLY! July 16, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
WOW. This is one heck of a heart-pounding roller coaster ride. In some ways, it was like "All The President's Men" on speed.
Everything about this series was top notch: the writing (fast paced but believable); the acting (not a second rate performance in the bunch -- American tv would have cast a bunch of pretty boys and bimbos who lacked all sense of reality); the editing (quick cuts and innovative shots without getting all 'Blair Witchy" on us); complicated plot but one you could really follow.
And best of all, a few surprises that kept you wondering and guessing til the very end.
I'm an older woman whose tastes normally veer to the Golden Girls but this had me swallowing my stress pills and loving every minute of it.
WARNING: VIEW WITH CAUTION! July 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
When I watched "State of Play", I made a BIG mistake: I put it in my DVD player at 10:00pm, saying I would watch only one of its six episodes. Famous last words. When the sun rose the following morning, I was still watching, thoroughly enthralled. This is TV at its best, and Kevin Macdonald has a high bar to reach in his forthcoming film version, although he certainly has the skill to bring it off. But...don't wait for the film. See this splendid BBC mini-series today. You won't be sorry.
outstanding July 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Brits, who put us to shame when it comes to mysteries and complex characterization, hsve done it again with this brilliant miniseries. Cast is superb, although the Engish subtitles should be used to pick up the dialogue from the Scottish reporter. The multi-talented Bill Nighy stands apart as the wily editor. His sly mannerisms and droll humor are a hoot. Don't miss this exceptional DVD.
State of Play July 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
These Miniseries are excellent, if you like sophisticated scripts, good acting, intelligent ambiance, this is for you. No one can beat the British on this genre.
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