The Final Cut ambient background
CinebyCineby
The Final Cut backdrop

The Final Cut

The Final Cut
★ 7.7/10•1995•51m•15•Drama•Comedy•War & Politics
Similars

Seasoned politician Francis Urquhart tries to establish his legacy before retirement by negotiating an end to the Cyprus, but the island hides secrets from his past that could destroy him.

Mike Vardy · Director

Andrew Davies · Writer

Michael Dobbs · Writer

StatusEnded
Runtime51m
LanguageEN
First Air DateNov 5, 1995

Episodes

Episode 1 - Part 1E152m

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.

Nov 5, 1995

Episode 2 - Part 2E253m

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.

Nov 12, 1995

Episode 3 - Part 3E354m

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.

Nov 19, 1995

Episode 4 - Part 4E454m

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.

Nov 26, 1995

Actors

Ian Richardson

Ian Richardson

Francis Urquhart

Diane Fletcher

Diane Fletcher

Elizabeth Urquhart

Paul Freeman

Paul Freeman

Tom Makepeace

Isla Blair

Isla Blair

Claire Carlsen

Nickolas Grace

Nickolas Grace

Geoffrey Booza Pitt

Glyn Grain

Glyn Grain

Rayner

Nick Brimble

Nick Brimble

Corder

Dorothy Vernon

Speaker

Andrew Seear

Wolfin

Peter Symonds

Polecutt

Yolanda Vazquez

Yolanda Vazquez

Maria Passolides

David Ryall

David Ryall

Sir Bruce Bullerby

John Rowe

Sir Clive Watling

Recommendations

House of Cards
The State Within
Pearson
Shōgun
Foyle's War
Andor
Ahsoka
I, Claudius
This England
Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Crimson Field
Stonehouse
The Winds of War
Combat!
12 O'Clock High
Wild Cards
Hornblower
The Game
A Small Light
Bluestone 42

Similars

A Woman's Guide to Adultery
Resort to Murder
Germinal
Taiwan That You Love
Criminal: Germany
Shadow Lines
Criminal: Spain
A Storm for Christmas
Target Luna
The Edwardians
Dandelion Dead
This Is Not Hollywood
Fatal Vision
Luke's Kingdom
More Than Words
Blind Faith
Island at War
A Very British Coup
Kane & Abel
A Thing Called Love