User reviews

Having risen through the ranks of the United Kingdom's Conservative Party in House Of Cards and having consolidated power in To Play The King, Francis Urquhart (played once again by Ian Richardson) is on the verge of becoming the longest serving Prime Minister. Yet the pieces are slowly moving against him for last game of power politics. The stage is set for The Final Cut, the final miniseries in the House Of Cards trilogy.

Like its two predecessors, the miniseries's success lies in its lead character Francis Urquhart as played by actor Ian Richardson. Urquhart, who has served as Prime Minister for approximately a decade, is making plans for his eventual retirement while seeking a fitting legacy. Yet the skeletons of the past aren't quite as quite as dead and buried as he might think though as things slowly come out to threaten his very political existence. Richardson continues to play Urquhart as a modern day (modern day being an alternate version of mid to late 1990's UK) version of Shakespeare's Richard III but there's a more human element in this last act as well. Here's a man whose played numerous power games and finds himself risking more and more in one final play for power and, in this case, a fine legacy as well. In a way this may well be Richardson's finest performance in the role of Urquhart.

There's also another major player who deserves mention. Diane Fletcher, who had largely been on the sidelines in the two previous miniseries, gets her biggest role in the trilogy as Urquhart's wife Elizabeth and this is as much her series as it is Richardson. Her she is revealed to be just as cunning and manipulative as her husband as she helps to set up the Urquhart Trust and watches her husbands final power plays with increasing worry. Also of interest is Elizabeth's hinted at relationship with security man Corder which brings a new dimension to this series, especially in regards to the ending. All of this gives Fletcher a chance to show off her skills and makes The Final Cut as much hers and his.

Which brings us to the supporting cast which is a bit mixed. On the plus side are Paul Freeman as Tom Makepeace, the Conservative party politician who grows increasingly wary of and eventually becomes the one who may finally be able to bring Urquhart down. There's also Isla Blair as Claire Carlsen who rises within Urquhart's ranks while being involved with one of the PM rival's. Last but not least is Nick Brimble as Corder who gets a large role in the proceedings and the aforementioned relationship with Urquahrt's wife as well. On the downside are Nickolas Grace who gives a sleazy and annoying performance as Geoffrey Booza Pitt and Joseph Long as the rather bumbling and ineffective Cyprus President. The supporting cast overall is a mixed bunch which dampens the success of The Final Cut somewhat.

The production values hold up well for the most parts. Once again there's fine production design by Ken Ledsham who creates the worlds ranging from 10 Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, and beyond though somehow there seems a very low budget feel to the scenes set in Cyprus. There's also the cinematography of Ian Punter which once again brings a fine sense of atmosphere to the world of the miniseries. Last but not least here is once again the music by Jim Parker, especially with the main title and end title pieces which serve as a perfect start and closing to the four episodes of the miniseries. Sadly what seems to be lacking is the direction of Mike Vardy who makes this final part seem to be both very sleazy (including unnecessary nudity especially considering the lack of it earlier in the trilogy) and snail paced throughout. The result is, like the supporting cast, something that dampens the success of this final part.

Last but not least is the script. Once again Andrew Davies adapts Michael Dobbs (who is uncredited as the novel's author due to creative conflicts with the makers of the series) novel into a script which takes a look at a seasoned politician and his last grasps at power. Urquhart seems obsessed at times with the shadow of predecessor Margret Thatcher (who appears to have died just before the beginning of the series) and him staying as Prime Minister longer then she was and securing a fitting legacy to his tenure. Yet there are ghosts of the past that begin to haunt Urquhart more and more. Here we learn more of Urquhart's past including his army tenure in Cyprus and how it now threatens to bring him down. There's the machinations of those in his government as well including Makepeace who prepares to challenge him for power as well. Together the script offers us a look at the fall of one government, the effect of that on the man in charge of it and the rise of its successor. That's not the say that this is a perfect script though as there are some decidedly sleazy and improbable aspects to the story as well, including the rather unsatisfactory ending which seems a rather convoluted way to end the trilogy of miniseries's. Maybe those are the faults of the novel rather then the script but there is something not quite right with this final part of the House Of Cards trilogy.

The Final Cut proves to be the last, if unsatisfactory, part of the House Of Cards trilogy. While there's fine performances from Richardson and Fletcher plus much of the supporting cast the issues with other members of the supporting cast, some low budget feels, direction and script issues weigh this part down significantly. The result is a good but overall unsatisfactory conclusion which seems rather a shame.

'House of Cards' is superlative. 'To Play the King' is great. The third series of the trilogy 'The Final Cut' (1995) may be the weakest of the three but is still very good.

Everything that made 'House of Cards' and 'To Play the King' is here in 'The Final Cut' and work brilliantly. Unlike the previous two series however, a few parts veer on the improbable and the ending felt unsatisfying in its predictability and not having the punch or clarity of the ending of 'House of Cards' (the ending of 'To Play the King' was the weak link of that series but was more convincing than here). The previous two series are paced a little tighter too. Having said all this, the deviations from the source material again don't detract and the spirit and attention to character and mood detail are present.

On the other hand, 'The Final Cut' visually looks wonderful, full of elegance and atmosphere in the design and class and style in the way it's filmed. It's also beautifully scored by Jim Parker with a very memorable main theme, and the direction lets the atmosphere and drama breathe but still never undermines the momentum.

Andrew Davies once again also deserves a lot of the credit. The script has dry cynicism, sharp wit, dark bite and class, with some deservedly iconic lines that have since become part of popular culture. The nation's mood is brilliantly captured and the political elements are handled so truthfully and don't feel shoe-horned (it's actually essential here) or heavy-handed. The storytelling is mostly very absorbing, the depth and richness of the previous two series in the trilogy not lost.

Ian Richardson is once again absolutely incredible in his best and most justifiably best known role, dominating the whole proceedings with ease. Diane Fletcher has a bigger role in 'The Final Cut' and again shows completely believability in a role that one doesn't see from her usually.

Paul Freeman is especially good in support, which is mostly pretty solid apart from Nikolas Grace's sleaziness being more over-the-top than creepy.

Overall, while the weakest of the three 'The Final Cut' still has a huge amount to enjoy, primarily Richardson. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Final Cut provides a fitting and engaging conclusion to Francis Urquhart's reign, delivering a political drama that's as sharp and cunning as its central character. As the final chapter of the House of Cards trilogy, this series sees Urquhart's past come back to haunt him in ways that are both inevitable and surprising. The intrigue and ruthless ambition that have defined the series continue to shine, with new challenges pushing Urquhart to the brink.

Ian Richardson's portrayal of Urquhart is outstanding. He masterfully balances the character's cold, manipulative persona with moments of vulnerability, revealing a man whose grip on power is finally slipping. As Urquhart confronts growing dissent and personal demons, the stakes feel higher than ever, and Richardson captures the weariness of a man who has ruled for too long. This character evolution adds a fresh layer to the story, making Urquhart's final chapter both gripping and tragic.

The writing remains intelligent and taut, filled with the biting wit and complex plotting that fans expect. Political power plays, betrayals, and shifting alliances keep the tension high throughout the series. However, compared to earlier installments, Final Cut leans more on slow-burn tension than explosive action. While this approach works to deepen the character dynamics, some viewers may find it slightly less intense than its predecessors.

Despite a few predictable moments, especially for those familiar with Urquhart's methods, the show offers enough twists and emotional depth to keep viewers hooked. The supporting cast adds to the complexity, with well-drawn characters whose shifting loyalties heighten the sense of unpredictability.

Overall, Final Cut is a compelling and worthy finale to the House of Cards saga. It may not be as fast-paced as earlier seasons, but its nuanced storytelling and Ian Richardson's brilliant performance make it a satisfying end to one of TV's most iconic political dramas. 8/10.

"Francis Urquhart" (Ian Richardson) is he now pretty unassailable as his Premiership welcomes a new King and he looks to establish some sort of legacy to eclipse even that of his inspirational predecessor. That opportunity comes when he involves the UK in negotiations to solve the problems on the island of Cyprus. This task has added poignancy for him as that's where he served in the army. It's the sudden defection of his foreign secretary (Paul Freeman) not just from his government but from his party that points to a chink in his armour. Instinctively, he is inclined to just swat this man away - like so many others he had summarily dealt with, but this isn't so easy. It's not just his political future that is suddenly a bit rocky, but also his reminiscences of times and experiences on the island that clearly were not without trauma and tragedy. Though outwardly as assuring and supportive as ever, his wife "Elizabeth" (Diane Fletcher) is aware that he is faltering, and is probably even more determined that he shall leave a legacy, even if it's not quite the one he is planning. This is a solid political drama, well written and superbly presented by an actor who now owns this part. For me, though, this story is a bit weaker and the plotting less effective than in the earlier two series and that does rather rob "Urquhart" of his sense of manipulating evil that he imbued so well. I think I'd have preferred this to finish without looking to an eventuality without him in power. A valediction of his scurrilous and enthralling behaviour would have suited me fine! The sharpness has gone and it's not so powerful a drama, but still a good watch.

I can't recommend this series highly enough! All the actors are first rate, the script literate and hilarious! BBC has done a first rate job and this is one of the best things I have seen in years! Ian Richardson is perfect in this role! He's probably sick of hearing about it by now, but he was really wonderful, as was everybody else. A first rate production in all ways!