The Alan Clark Diaries are not currently online, I've just watched the series again on an ancient VHS tape. It covers the latter two of the three diaries, beginning when he enters government following the 1983 election. It seems unsure whether to aim for serious political autobiography or comedy. To some extent this reflects the man himself. He had a typical aristocratic insouciance, and some diary anecdotes are very funny. But he was mostly a serious politician and writer, seldom indulging in Boris Johnson style buffoonery.
At the time of writing the most highly rated episodes are the first two, which I liked least. These are the most comic, Clark is more or less lampooned as hapless and helpless, ever at the mercy of his scheming civil servants. I thought the best was the fourth, Defence of the Realm. Encompassing the poll tax riots, Geoffrey Howe's resignation, and the fall of Mrs Thatcher, it could hardly fail to reflect the drama of the times.
It's a shame one of the most amusing events in the middle diary (pp 308-9) wasn't brought to life, I suspect because it's piccolo (Clark's word for a small but telling triumph) rather than pratfall. His defence secretary boss Tom King was a middle of the road, do it by the book managerial type who could have been designed to be incompatible with Clark. At a reception following the Queen Mother's ninetieth birthday parade, King somewhat reluctantly introduces the QM to Alan and Jane. It's immediately apparent they have met at least once at Saltwood Castle, they natter away like old friends. Outclassed and out of the conversation, King desperately tries to move her on.
Unlike other reviewers, I don't feel John Hurt was all that great as Clark, though hardly his fault. The voice is good but he just looks too slight and agreeable, when a more imposing, somewhat menacing appearance was called for. David Warner would have been ideal, or Patrick Allen had he been younger.
At the time of writing the most highly rated episodes are the first two, which I liked least. These are the most comic, Clark is more or less lampooned as hapless and helpless, ever at the mercy of his scheming civil servants. I thought the best was the fourth, Defence of the Realm. Encompassing the poll tax riots, Geoffrey Howe's resignation, and the fall of Mrs Thatcher, it could hardly fail to reflect the drama of the times.
It's a shame one of the most amusing events in the middle diary (pp 308-9) wasn't brought to life, I suspect because it's piccolo (Clark's word for a small but telling triumph) rather than pratfall. His defence secretary boss Tom King was a middle of the road, do it by the book managerial type who could have been designed to be incompatible with Clark. At a reception following the Queen Mother's ninetieth birthday parade, King somewhat reluctantly introduces the QM to Alan and Jane. It's immediately apparent they have met at least once at Saltwood Castle, they natter away like old friends. Outclassed and out of the conversation, King desperately tries to move her on.
Unlike other reviewers, I don't feel John Hurt was all that great as Clark, though hardly his fault. The voice is good but he just looks too slight and agreeable, when a more imposing, somewhat menacing appearance was called for. David Warner would have been ideal, or Patrick Allen had he been younger.