House of Cards (DVD, 2003)

This is one of the best political dramas ever, and one of the best miniseries I have ever seen. This is the first of three installments (the other two are entitled "To Play the King" and "The Final Cut"). Ian Richardson plays the lead role (Richardson is best known in the U.S. as the stuffy butler in the Grey Poupon commercials). Richardson's performance as a two-faced, cold, and vindictive politician is superb, delivered almost as a lark rather than plodding along with heavy suspense. It is clear Richardson enjoys his part, even delivering asides to the camera than heighten the drama rather than distract from it. I strongly suggest that anyone with an interest in politics watch this series (of which this first installment is by far the most intriguing and unpredictable), whether or not the person knows anything of the ins and outs of the British Westminster form of government.