Product Details

• Actors: Tom Wilkinson, John Breslin, Jonathan Bridge, David Robb, Anita Carey
• Directors: Sarah Harding, John Gorrie, Brian Mills
• Format: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Acorn Media
• DVD Release Date: September 16, 2008
• Run Time: 494 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001B1Q2VI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,769 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "First Among Equals" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

"The ring of authenticity is genuine" -- The New York Times

Sex, money, and power in the halls of Parliament

No one knows political intrigue better than Jeffrey Archer, the internationally bestselling author and erstwhile British politician who has seen his share of scandal firsthand. This 10-part adaptation of Archer’s blockbuster novel exposes the sex, money, and power within the hallowed halls of government. Beginning in 1964, the tense drama follows the careers of four members of Parliament from their backbench days through 20-plus years of alliances and betrayals, triumphs and reversals. Each man aims to become prime minister -- but only one will succeed.

Two-time Oscar®-nominee Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton, In the Bedroom), James Faulkner (The Bank Job), David Robb (Treasure Island), and Jeremy Child (Amnesia) head a fine ensemble cast as the ambitious -- and occasionally unscrupulous -- MPs. Crackling with realism, First Among Equals takes you through the wood-paneled clubs, well-appointed drawing rooms, dingy offices, and secret love nests where deals get done and marriages, careers, and lives are undone.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE Jeffrey Archer bio and cast filmography.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sex, backstabbing, relationships, and more in this British political saga, August 18, 2008

By 

Harold Wolf "Doc" (Wells, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: First Among Equals (DVD)

New Scottish MP, Andrew Fraser, is joined by new MP, mid class lawyer Raymond Gould, on the Labor party side of government. New MPs, wealthy Charles Seymour and his personal rival, Simon Kerslake, both sit on the Tory side. It is British politics as its finest, or worst as the moment dictates. It doesn't take a lot of former knowledge of how the government from the islands works to enjoy this 10-part series.

The story is more about how the 4 new MPs work and connive to further their ambition of becoming Prime Minister. Only one will succeed. Who? How? Well, I'll not tell who, but the how is through 20-plus years of political and personal manipulation of people and events. Each man seems willing to use almost anything and anyone at times to get to the desired office. It's not unlike American politics and the Presidential quest.

There is sex and prostitutes (models they call themselves) willing to bare all (and do onscreen) to help, and also to get what they want. Wives are sacrificed, or used, or replaced, or relied on at times. The debates and bickering that take place on the floor of legislature brings many a chuckle as each attempts to put the opposition in its place--but using the most delicate of language, in the stiff, polite, British fashion.

You'll find yourself booing one man, then applauding the same ambitious fellow in the next segment. One thing for sure, you won't want to pause between the 10 episodes.

Money, sex, power, fighting, killing, mystery, drama, laughs, and London all packaged into this powerful Parliament political package.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Among Equals, October 21, 2008

By 

Robert L. Webster - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Among Equals (DVD)

I have always been interested in the inner workings of the British form of government. It seems to have many more facets of interaction than the American govermental system. That is why I ordered "First Among Equals" and I was not disappointed with the content. It was great! The only problem I had was trying to understand the accents of a few of the characters. Some meaning in some of the dialogue was obviously meant for people familiar with British History, so that I was not able to appreciate.
Overall, this is a a great series and one I would recommend.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fair Adaptation of the Book, November 13, 2008

By 

D. Lowrie (Fairfield, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Among Equals (DVD)

I have been a fan of the book since it first come out, having read it well over a dozen times. I was eager to purchase the video adaptation once it came out on DVD. Overall, I was pleased.
The miniseries is a fairly faithful adaptation of the book, with some scenes taken word for word from the printed page. In other cases, changes are made to the storyline -- in some cases to advance the plot quickly, in others for no apparent reason. However, the general plot of the book is retained.
My major quibble with the series is its casting. Jeffery Archer's description of his major characters was detailed, and in most cases the actors do not resemble the characters in the book. This was the major drawback for me, but I doubt it will matter to any but avid fans of the original.
All told, I recommend this miniseries.