Overview: Ambassador to Washington is the pinnacle of success in the Foreign Office and the position is offered to only the brightest and the best. But Ambassador Mark Brydon finds his skills tested to the limits when, following a major diplomatic incident, he is thrust into a web of tangled relationships and conflicting interests. In a world of high stakes, where manipulation of information means ultimate power, the question is: who can he trust?

DVD Verdict: While I don't think 'The State Within' is a perfect political thriller, I will pay it the highest compliment for this type of entertainment - it is ambitiously complex without being unnecessarily convoluted. This six part British miniseries (each part is approximately an hour) carries about twelve major characters and five major plot strands and interweaves them expertly throughout. Seemingly unrelated events converge as layers of intrigue and duplicity are revealed. While some have compared this to a more cerebral "24," it actually has little in common with the American show other than the overt themes inherent in global politics, government corruption, and terrorism. But wait a minute.....Just as "24" in an intriguing thrill ride that sometimes strains credibility, so is 'The State Within.' And just as you might overlook the believability factor in "24" because the story told is so intricate and entertaining, you might also be willing to accept 'The State Within' at face value. For make no mistake, 'The State Within' (at the most fundamental level) is rousing entertainment.

Surprisingly, this British production is set largely in the United States. The British Ambassador, played by Jason Isaacs, becomes the centerpiece for the story when an airplane is bombed as it takes off over Washington D.C. Issacs is, literally, in the middle of the wreckage (in an impressively staged action scene) and continues to be, figuratively, as a British national is implicated in the terrorism. With multiple plot strands that include a death row inmate, an American company's international investment, a rogue military unit on U.S. soil, a controversial and brutal coup, and the Secretary of Defense (Sharon Gless) - this drama effectively juggles a lot of action. With a solid, well written screenplay - it keeps the pacing quick and handles matters intelligently and, for the most part, believably. That's not to say everything is 100% believable in concept, but within the context of the story - things flow logically and maintain your interest without insulting your intellect.

While surrounded by a capable and talented cast, Isaacs does carry much of the production as the Ambassador/action hero. Always good, and underrated, this is an interesting counterpoint to his most recent role as an Irish mob boss in Showtime's "Brotherhood." Any doubt to his versatility should be put to rest in comparing these pieces of good versus evil (and for good measure, throw in the romantic leading man of "Passionada" and "Nine Lives"). Gless has the showiest role as the tough-as-nails official - and while many will appreciate its ferocity, it lacked a subtlety that I would have found more compelling. But everyone really contributes to the excellence of 'The State Within' in terms of acting. For such a large ensemble, there isn't one missed opportunity when it comes to casting. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

Six episodes on two discs
"The Making of The State Within"