The Hour. Season 1, Disc 1

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Originally produced for British television in 2011.
Disc One: Episode 1 -- Episode 2 -- Episode 3 -- Bonus feature: Creating The Hour [behind the scenes featurette; ca. 20 min.].
Dominic West, Romola Garai, Ben Whishaw, Anna Chancellor, Oona Chaplin.
"London, 1956. At Lime Grove Studios, the BBC has just launched 'The Hour,' a topical news program. At the heart of the show are three contrasting journalists: enigmatic producer Bel Rowley, a spirited woman in a man's world; her best friend, Freddie Lyon, a brilliant and passionate reporter; and charming, well-connected front man Hector Madden. As Freddie moves to cover a significant but controversial story, the trio becomes entangled in an intense interplay of politics, ambition and romance, all ignited by a mysterious murder and chilling conspiracy." -- Container.
DVD ; NTSC, Region 1 ; Dolby Digital stereo ; 16:9 aspect ratio.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Disappointing submitted by klickitat on June 14, 2013, 8:59am I expected much more from this series. Despite an excellent premise and cast, it comes across as little more than a poor shadow of Mad Men. The plot lines are often soapy, unnecessarily, I'd argue. The spy B-plot that isn't executed well and never incorporates well into the story. The second season is even worse.

The sets and costumes and period detail are excellent. If you're looking to escape into a well-manicured version of 1950s London, inhabited by a talented cast, you could do much worse.

Are we watching the same show? submitted by gardenfaerie on March 1, 2014, 4:05pm I find it smart, funny, dramatic and engaging.

While I'm also a fan of Mad Men, I see absolutely no parallel in the two except the period setting, and the word "soapy" is definitely more apt of MM.

If one needs a parallel, I'd say a mashup of The Newsroom and The Wire -- serious reporters looking to change the world and oust corruption meeting the dark and intriguing world of crime.