The Gravy Train - Channel 4 Comedy [DVD]

A biting satire about bribery and corruption in the European Union. Malcolm Bradbury's delicious four-part comedy, first shown on Channel 4 in 1990, sees idealistic young Eurocrat Hans Joachim Dorfmann (Cristoph Waltz) get a rude awakening when he takes up his new position in Brussels. Reporting to cynical, self-seeking British diplomat Michael Spearpoint (an impeccably Machiavellian Ian Richardson), Dorfmann is dismayed to find himself instantly lionised by powerful director-general Jean-Luc Villeneuve (Jacques Sereys) and Agriculture commissioner Gianna Melchiore (Anita Zagaria). As he accepts a brief to root out fraud whilst ridding the market of a huge surplus of rotting plums, Dorfmann also finds himself courted by shady fixer Vlad Milcic (Alexei Sayle), and seduced by the beautiful and mysterious Nadine (Almanta Suska). Easily deceived but fiercely well-intentioned, Dorfmann blunders along upsetting rivals, drawing fire and sparking mayhem in an intricate web of double-dealing misadventure.