Kindle version free for next 48 hours

The revised Kindle Version of the book is available for free from Amazon Kindle worldwide, on Sunday 9 June and Monday 10 June.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=we+could+possibly+comment

With the broadcasting of the US Version of House of Cards, there has been a great deal of both revived and new interest in the original, BBC version of the series. The BBC DVD remastered version has been re-released both in the UK and the States http://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Cards-DVD-Ian-Richardson/dp/B00BM8STW0/ref=sr_1_4?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1370766019&sr=1-4&keywords=house+of+cards and the previous version, released in 2004, is currently in the Amazon charts and garnering lots of new, great reviews.

I thought that now would be the appropriate time to give people the chance to read the book. For those with the original paperback copy, there is some additional material, including a couple of memories from Ian's son Miles.

Follow this, Kevin!

It has finally been announced - Kevin Spacey is to take the lead role in the American version of House of Cards, which is being directed by David Fincher.

Regardless of Mr Spacey's acting skills, I can't imagine his performance matching Ian's majestic portrayal of Francis Urquhart - one of the finest performances in TV history.



If you want to see all three series, the box set is currently available from Amazon UK at a knockdown price of £9.93 (what a bargain) and for just a few pence more from Play.com. As far as TV Drama collections go, every home should have a copy of this one.

Here's another taster.



Can Kevin match this peerless portrayal? I couldn't possibly comment!

Ian Richardson 07 April 1934 - 09 February 2007

Today is the 4th anniversary of Ian's death. It's hard to believe that four years have passed since he left us.

With the passing of time, images fade, but we are so fortunate in that there are so many visual and audio opportunities to keep fresh in our minds what a wonderful actor Ian Richardson was.

The first main section of his career was his time, between 1960 and 1975, with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Although there is almost no visual material available from his host of performances with the Company, it is still possible to obtain DVD copies of him as Oberon (seen above, with Ian Holm as Puck) in Peter Hall's filmed version of A Midsummer Night's Dream and as Marat in Peter Brook's Marat/Sade.

There are a great many of Ian's television and film performances available on DVD from a variety of sources. I strongly recommend getting hold of programmes such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy; Private Schulz; The Woman in White (1982); Six Centuries of Verse; The Sign of Four: The Hound of the Baskervilles; Porterhouse Blue; Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy; The Gravy Train; Troubles; An Ungentlemanly Act; The House of Cards Trilogy; Gormenghast; Murder Rooms; Becoming Jane; Hogfather.

These are just a selection of the range of titles available.

And today we are blessed with sites such as YouTube, where you can find hidden gems otherwise not likely to be seen.

One of these is the Drama The Winslow Boy (1989) in which Ian played Sir Robert Morton. The link isn't available, but you can find the whole series on YouTube.

In the meantime, you can enjoy examples such as this:

Guardian Top 50 Dramas of all time

Three of the programmes Ian was featured in have been included in The Guardian's Top 50 Television Dramas of All Time - which includes both UK and American dramas. Top spot has been given to The Sopranos - since I've never seen it, I couldn't possibly comment on it.

Not surprisingly the highest placed of the programmes Ian was in is, at No 18, House of Cards, which has consistently remained a high seller on Amazon UK. Of course, without question I would have made it No 1.

At No 21 is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Smiley's People is at No 17 and I wonder if these two are in the correct order.

Sneaking in at No 46 is Bleak House. A wonderful production and cast, but I remember filming it was rather uncomfortable for Ian at times because he had to sit for hours at a time without a break and he hated the wig he had to wear.

There are certainly some surprise omissions, like Edge of Darkness, I Claudius, the earlier Forsyte Saga with Eric Porter and Fortunes of War being just a few that spring to mind.

Do I think that more of the programmes Ian was featured in should be included? It's all a matter of personal taste, but I would have placed Private Schulz, Porterhouse Blue, Murder Rooms and the unfairly maligned Gormenghast in there.

House of Cards Remake - I Couldn't Possibly Comment

If it were April Fool's Day I would believe the story I've just read online American director to remake House of Cards .

Not only is director Fincher going to attempt to remake a series that was well nigh flawless, but he is also going to set in the US. And even more unimaginable - if the stories are to believed - he is making it as a one-hour drama.

He might very well think it's a good idea, but I've yet to come across a remake of any contemporary drama that has come close to being anywhere as good as the original.

Me thinks there will be great rumblings under the foundations of the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford where Ian's ashes have been placed.




If anyone wants to see House of Cards - in America or anywhere else - I suggest they stick to the original!