The National Anthem

Episode aired Dec 4, 2011
TV-MA
44m

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

64K

YOUR RATING

Dark Comedy Political Drama Political Thriller Psychological Drama Psychological Thriller Suspense Mystery Crime Drama Mystery Sci-Fi

Prime Minister Michael Callow faces a shocking dilemma when Princess Susannah, a much-loved member of the Royal Family, is kidnapped.Prime Minister Michael Callow faces a shocking dilemma when Princess Susannah, a much-loved member of the Royal Family, is kidnapped.Prime Minister Michael Callow faces a shocking dilemma when Princess Susannah, a much-loved member of the Royal Family, is kidnapped.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

64K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
This became the subject of discussion when in September 2015, then-current Prime Minister David Cameron was alleged to have placed his penis into the mouth of a dead pig as part of a university initiation rite (with even some of the hashtags seen in this episode being used).

Goofs
In the opening scene, a telephone rings with the single tone used in North America; British phones ring with a double tone.

Quotes
Malaika: It's like 911's happened, and we're broadcasting sandwich recipes.
Pike: We're not a chat room.
Jack: [entering] It's on CNN. And Fox. And MSNBC, Al Jazeera, NHK...
Pike: All right! Oh, God, this planet!

Connections
Featured in Screenwipe: 2015 Wipe (2015)

Soundtracks
Organum
By Max Richter
From "The Blue Notebooks"

User reviews177

Review

Featured review

6/10

Black comedy, but only just.

I know the reviews for this one are generally hugely positive, but I find the first episode a bit of a stumbling block, When you think of subsequent episodes this one just lacks the true cutting edge. Sure it's a disturbing watch, and the performances are superb, fair play to Rory Kinnear, he is superb here, such an amiable actor, it adds to the repulsion and sorrow you feel for the character. The problem I have with this one, is the only picture I have in my mind is David Cameron holding that piglet, distressing all round. It's slick in delivery, it's definitely sick, just a story I'm not particularly struck on, a good watch though.