Stonehouse

John Stonehouse's fall from grace is a sad story, and the mildly comedic flavour of this production might be seen as inappropriate. But the fact is that his actions and attitudes were indeed somewhat farcical, and the writer, director and actors manage very well to stay just this side of playing it for laughs. Its roots in reality are never lost, and the viewer is left with a sense of pity and despair for Stonehouse, and sympathy for his family and others affected by his misguided decisions.

In a wider sense, the series highlights how someone short on common sense, but long on ambition and greed, can do well in politics by presenting a confident and convincing facade. I like the way Harold Wilson is portrayed as seeing Stonehouse as a good image for the Labour Party because he is handsome. And how he makes him Minister for Aviation because he'd been in the RAF for two years. I've no reason to think this is inconceivable, and it's an amusing reflection on how some of our current crop of politicians got where they are.

So full marks to everyone involved. The period detail is very impressive, taking me back to my younger days in the early 70s. The husband and wife team of Keeley Hawes and Matthew MacFadyen are superb as the Stonehouses, Emer Heatley does a marvellous job as Sheila Buckley the secretary, and Kevin McNally's portrayal of Harold Wilson is uncannily accurate.

Very watchable as the portrayal of real life characters is done well. Betty Boothroyd and Harold Wilson should have their own spin off series they were that good and some of their lines were very amusing. Keeley Hawes is always good at playing a middle class wife and she adds a bit of tongue in cheek nuance to a brilliant performance to match the plot. Which if it wasn't true, this story would be considered far fetched. What is also captured well is the 1970s so as someone who lived through this there is a wonderful sense of nostalgia. I highly recommend it as a binge watch to indulge yourself with.

A short mini-series was just the right amount of time for this particular story. Never knew or even heard of this affair before so it was fun to learn some fun facts.

I enjoyed the cast and cool vibe of the scenery. The lead is really good every time he's in a bind he bumbles around until he squirms his way out. Sheila the secretary is actually the female lead. I think they could have delved some more into her background. I needed to understand how she was so easily wrapped up in Stonehouse's capers. A bigger focus on the spying aspect would have made this a 9 perhaps a 10 for me.

It was a fun series and you learn something of this obscure bit of history.

This 3 part ITVX series is just an absolute hoot! This true story is just so bizarre it's hard to believe it really did happen. I went online to further study the case & the series does mostly stick to the actual story.

The characters, actors, soundtrack & cinematography are just all top notch. There are also quite a few laugh out loud moments. The 70s hairstyles & fashion are so expertly recreated. The leads are superbly cast & it is all perfectly wrapped up in 3 episodes.

It reminds us of all the too many UK political scandals. Do yourself a big favour & make time to watch this most entertaining series.

The story of disgraced former Labour MP and Minister John Stonehouse, who got involved in several criminal activities, and later vanished.

It is well worth seeing, it's such an incredible story, if it wasn't based on true events, it would be deemed far fetched, but based on actual events.

It has some nice touches of humour, there are some really amusing scenes mixed in to the more serious elements.

Matthew Macfadyen gives an excellent performance as Stonehouse, there's a scene in episode three, where he delivers a speech, it is an outstanding moment. Keeley Hawes is excellent as wife Barbara, but she is turning into Olivia Colman, who really is in everything.

Well worth looking at further material, interviews and such featuring him, he's an interesting character, it gives you an idea of how Macfadyen captured him as well.

It's well worth your time, 8/10.