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A Very British Coup

  • TV Mini Series
  • 1988
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 28m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
1K
YOUR RATING
Ray McAnally in A Very British Coup (1988)
A Very British Coup
Play trailer0:45
4 Videos
4 Photos
Drama

Disaster befalls the UK under a seemingly corrupt Conservative government. The Labour Party is elected - but committed to radical change, under a firmly left-wing leader. That's not supposed... Read allDisaster befalls the UK under a seemingly corrupt Conservative government. The Labour Party is elected - but committed to radical change, under a firmly left-wing leader. That's not supposed to happen. Who will save the traditional rulers?Disaster befalls the UK under a seemingly corrupt Conservative government. The Labour Party is elected - but committed to radical change, under a firmly left-wing leader. That's not supposed to happen. Who will save the traditional rulers?

  • Stars
    • Ray McAnally
    • Marjorie Yates
    • Geoffrey Beevers
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.2/10
    1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Ray McAnally
      • Marjorie Yates
      • Geoffrey Beevers
    • 24User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 4 BAFTA Awards
      • 6 wins & 4 nominations total

    Episodes3

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 Season1988

    Videos4

    A Very British Coup
    Trailer 0:45
    Watch A Very British Coup
    A Very British Coup: Episode 1
    Trailer 1:49
    Watch A Very British Coup: Episode 1
    A Very British Coup: Episode 3
    Trailer 2:00
    Watch A Very British Coup: Episode 3
    A Very British Coup: Episode 2
    Trailer 2:00
    Watch A Very British Coup: Episode 2

    Photos

    Ray McAnally in A Very British Coup (1988)
    Ray McAnally in A Very British Coup (1988)
    Ray McAnally in A Very British Coup (1988)
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    Top cast

    Edit
    Ray McAnally
    Ray McAnally
    • The Cabinet - Harry Perkins
    Marjorie Yates
    • The Cabinet - Cook
    Geoffrey Beevers
    Geoffrey Beevers
    • The Cabinet - Wainwright
    Keith Allen
    Keith Allen
    • The Staff - Thompson
    Oliver Ford Davies
    Oliver Ford Davies
    • The Staff - Tweed
    Bernard Kay
    Bernard Kay
    • The Staff - Inspector Page
    Alan MacNaughtan
    Alan MacNaughtan
    • The Public Servants - Browne
    Tim McInnerny
    Tim McInnerny
    • The Public Servants - Fiennes
    Christine Kavanagh
    • The Public Servants - Liz
    David McKail
    • The Public Servants - Robertson
    Shane Rimmer
    Shane Rimmer
    • The Americans - Secretary of State
    Philip O'Brien
    Philip O'Brien
    • The Americans - President
    Clive Merrison
    Clive Merrison
    • The Media - TV Interviewer
    Philip Madoc
    Philip Madoc
    • The Media - Fison
    Jeremy Young
    Jeremy Young
    • The Media - Alford
    Harmage Singh Kalirai
    Harmage Singh Kalirai
    • The People - Patel
    Hugh Martin
    Hugh Martin
    • The Cabinet - Sampson
    Stephanie Fayerman
    Stephanie Fayerman
    • The Media - Editor
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      All the cars have 'J' registration plates. The series was made in 1988 when the current registration letter was 'E'; the producers obtained permission to use fake car registration plates to establish that the action was set in the future.
    • Connections
      Edited into Masterpiece Theatre: A Very British Coup (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Great Mass in C Minor
      Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (as Mozart)

      Performed by London Symphony Orchestra & London Symphony Chorus

      Conducted by Colin Davis

    User reviews24

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Alternative History
    "A Very British Coup" was a turning point in my life. Aged about 18 and having spent much of that time in Mrs Thatcher's Britain, this mini-series illustrated what might have happened had a Michael Foot, Tony Benn or a Ken Livingstone been elected Prime Minister.

    Ken Livingstone wrote a book called "If Voting Changed Anything They'd Abolish It". Harry Perkins the new socialist British Prime Minister, like all the best idealists fighting a hopeless cause, simply doesn't know when he is beaten, or rather he chooses to carry on regardless of the storm clouds looming.

    Shortly after his election he receives the traditional congratulatory phone call from the US president. A formal script is placed in his hands which he refuses to follow much to everyone's consternation and the scene is set.

    The Americans cannot risk losing control of their huge static aircraft carrier off the coast of France (it used to be called the UK). Big Business tries to starve the Perkins government of funds. Harry responds brilliantly surviving on low cunning and simple honesty in this capitalistic, high-brow, dishonest world.

    There is no way his government can survive, it will not be allowed. There are dark forces gathering......
    helpful•23
    9
    • shell-26
    • Feb 19, 2000

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 19, 1988 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Очень британский переворот
    • Filming locations
      • UK
    • Production company
      • Skreba Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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