Stars: Anna Chlumsky, Steve Coogan, Tom Hollander, James Gandolfini, Peter Capaldi

Director: Armando Iannucci

Summary: IN THE LOOP finds writer/director Armando Iannucci expanding his critically acclaimed satire THE THICK OF IT for the big screen and following the US President and UK Prime Minister as they conspire to start a war and promote is as a 'good thing'. US General Miller (Gandolfini) disagrees, as does British Secretary of State for International Development, Simon Foster (Hollander). When the mild-mannered minister appears on TV, is quoted out of context and made to look like he endorses the conflict, he suddenly finds his every move under the watchful eye of the PM's amoral chief of communications (Capaldi). The Brits soon find themselves in Washington and at the centre of what will become an insurmountable 'mountain of conflict'.

IN THE LOOP finds writer/director Armando Iannucci expanding his critically acclaimed satire THE THICK OF IT for the big screen and features a cast including Peter Capaldi (TORCHWOOD), James Gandolfini (THE SOPRANOS), Tom Hollander (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN), Peter Capaldi (THE THICK OF IT), Steve Coogan (I'M ALAN PARTRIDGE) and former child star Anna Chlumsky (MY GIRL). The foul-mouthed comedy follows the US President and UK Prime Minister as they conspire to start a war and promote is as a 'good thing'. US General Miller (Gandolfini) disagrees, as does British Secretary of State for International Development, Simon Foster (Hollander). When the mild-mannered minister appears on TV, is quoted out of context and made to look like he endorses the conflict, he suddenly finds his every move under the watchful eye of the PM's amoral chief of communications (Capaldi). The Brits soon find themselves in Washington and at the centre of what will become an insurmountable 'mountain of conflict'.

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The corridors of Whitehall have, of course, proved a rich trough for comedy in the past, but sitting among the finest must be The Thick Of It, a terrific, insightful and desperately entertaining satire.

This complete first season follows the antics of Hugo Abbot, a simple MP, whose ongoing fight with his party’s spin doctors provides just one richly mined strand for the show. Skilfully mixing drama and comedy, and shot in the increasingly popular fly-on-the-wall documentary style, The Thick Of It manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny, yet eerily scary at the same time.

The credit, clearly, lies with the brains and the cast behind the programme. In front of the camera, both Chris Langham and the seemingly-brutal Peter Capaldi have won the plaudits, but much of the acclaim also needs lying at the doorstep of Armando Iannucci. Iannucci already has a comedy CV that few can rival, both in front of and behind the lens, and it’s testament to the quality of The Thick Of It that it stands next easily next to anything in his back catalogue.

This unmissable DVD brings together all the episodes from the little-seen-yet-rarely-rivalled maiden season (although the Christmas special is missing), and it’s a real comedy treat. Bluntly, The Thick Of It is a modern day classic, and through the DVD release, more people can finally get the chance to see why. --Jon Foster

Aspect Ratio:	16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Interviews and commentary by Armando Iannucci, Tom Hollander, Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison and Gina McKee, Behind-the-scenes footage, Deleted scenes, Trailers, Making of
Year:	2009
Release Date:	August 24, 2009
Runtime:	102 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	O P T D 1562
Keywords:	English, Comedy, General, Loop
Genre:	Comedy