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4 Episodes 1978 - 1978
Episode 1
Sun, Jun 1, 1980
Having returned to England after a lengthy period abroad, Benjamin Disraeli goes about re-integrating himself with the upper crust of British society. He has had some success as an author but not surprisingly is penniless and clearly lives beyond his means. Known as Dizzy to his friends, he continues his affairs with married women and with the help of his father, manages to stay afloat financially. He soon sets his sight on being elected to Parliament and while his sympathies lie with the Radicals, he chooses to run as an independent, but without success. He enters into a quasi-permanent relationship with the married Henrietta but it comes to an end when he catches her with another man. He is finally elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament or, as he puts it, a progressive Conservative.
Episode 2
Sun, Jun 8, 1980
With the support and patronage of his friends Wyndham and Mary Anne Lewis, Disraeli is finally elected to Parliament as a Conservative member. Although his maiden speech is less than successful he does make his presence known and slowly builds a positive reputation with his colleagues on both sides of the House. The death of his friend and fellow MP Wyndham Lewis brings much sadness but also brings an opportunity as he proposes to the now widowed - and wealthy - Mary Anne. Friends and family on both sides argue against the match but over time, Disraeli develops deep feelings for her and they proceed to marry. He is deeply disappointed however when the Prime Minister fails to offer him a Cabinet post. He is soon approached by other Conservative members who, like himself, want to see more progressive policy initiatives. Over many years he establishes himself as a natural leader but many traditionalists will not consider him for high office.
Episode 3
Sun, Jun 15, 1980
Disraeli's stature in the party continues to grow and he manages to gain the favor of Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert. The Great Game - politics - continues to be Disraeli's great passion, whether he finds himself in or out of government. His great foe, the Liberals' Gladstone, proves to be a staunch and unwavering opponent who, despite the similarity of their views, is unprepared to work with Disraeli on issues in which they share similar opinions. His marriage to Mary Anne grows ever more loving and they form a great partnership. Mary Anne is not well however and their days together may be numbered.
Episode 4
Sun, Jun 22, 1980
With the death of his beloved Mary Anne, Disraeli is forced to relocate to town and live in a hotel - the house they had shared for 30 years was willed to her by her first husband, but only for her lifetime - but he soon finds himself leading the Conservatives in a general election that they own in a landslide. He finally gets to implement many of the policies that he has cherished include new laws on housing, employment, unions and voting rights. The British government buys a major stake in the Suez Canal heeding advise he had once been given that if not bought, it would eventually have to be taken in war. Late in his career he finally accepts that he no longer has the energy to continue the battles of the House of Commons and accepts the Queen's often-made offer of a peerage. He continues to go against the grain supporting the Turks as a buffer against the expansionist Russians when almost the entirety of Europe felt the need to restrain the non-Christian hordes, eventually convincing Otto Von Bismark to support him. He continues his role from the House of Lords but his health deteriorates and he dies in 1881.