The Final Cut
Drama, Comedy, War & Politics • 1995 • 51m
Part 1
Approaching his 65th birthday, PM Francis Urquhart begins to see the end of his career. Not that he has the intention of resigning anytime soon. He does however hope to establish a legacy, one for the history books and one to provide his pension. For the latter, his wife Elizabeth introduces him to Mr Nures, a Turkish-Cypriot businessman who will contribute handsomely to the Urquhart Trust if the upcoming boundary commission report provides a ruling favorable to Turkish-occupied Cyprus.
Part 2
Having sacked his Parliamentary Private Secretary, Urquhart casts about for a replacement. At the suggestion of Geoffrey Booza Pitt he gives serious consideration to backbench MP Claire Carlsen, despite the fact that she is carrying on an affair with Foreign Secretary Tom Makepeace. Claire is clearly playing both sides of the fence to ensure her own place in the hierarchy, regardless of what the future may hold.
Part 3
Having resigned as Foreign Secretary, Makepeace launches a blistering attack in the House of Commons directed not only at the government in general but at the Prime Minister in particular. He then moves across the aisle to sit on the opposition benches. For his part, Urquhart takes it all in stride quite sure of his position and his ability to retain the leadership of the party.
Part 4
Not having secured enough votes on the first ballot to retain the party leadership, Urquhart plots to not only keep him in place as PM but to win the next general election. He is desperate to surpass Margaret Thatcher's length of service and decides that to emulate her is likely the best approach: starting a war in Cyprus, his own little Falklands, as he describes it to his wife.
Cast
Reviews
"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.
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