THE MAYFAIR SET (1999) 


Produced by Adam Curtis
 
http://imdb.com/title/tt0283201/

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VHS > DVD Recorder > DivX, 
512X384, 957 to 1031 kbps, 60mins, VBR MP3 Audio, 137/8 kbps.
originally posted at uknova - Upped by PinkyPerky

Broadcast: BBC2 18th July - 9th August  Sun 8:00pm 1999


The source  of this  documentary is  an LP  VHS Cassette.   I would describe the
picture quality as more than reasonable considering the source and the fact most
of the documentary is  made from old archived  video footage.  The was  a lot of
hiss on the recording, which has been removed, so the sound quality is ok 
but not brilliant.

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Documentary  series detailing  the lives  of a  group of  reckless gamblers  and
chancers who all belonged to a notorious gambling club in the 60s - the Clermont
Club. All of them were instrumental in changing the structure of political power
in Britain.
 

Part  1: Who  Pays Wins  
This episode  delves  into  the life   of Colonel  David  Sterling,  founder  of
the  British   Special Air   Service  (SAS)  commando  unit.  Following his army
stint  in  World  War  II,  Sterling  became  a  prime  mover  in  a series   of
mercenary  and  arms-dealing schemes  in  the  Third  World. The  UK government,
of course, sanctioned these schemes. This documentary fills in  some interesting
background to British intrigue in Saudi Arabia & Yemen in the 1960s,  ultimately
setting the  stage for current  troubles  in the  Persian Gulf region. The  film
also briefly mentions SterlingÃ?s odd activities in pre-independence Rhodesia. 


N.B: The final 15mins of this episode are missing.


Part 2: Entrepreneur Spelt S.P.I.V.
In the 1950s, Britain was  dominated by a political and  financial establishment
that looked  down on  the stock  market. But  a suburban  accountant called  Jim
Slater realised that if he harnessed the sleeping powers of the shareholders,
he would gain immense power.


Part 3:    Destroy the Technostructure
This episode recounts the story of how James Goldsmith became one of the richest
men in the world by taking over some of the biggest corporations in America.


Part 4: Twilight of the Dogs
By the 80s, the day of the buccaneering tycoons was over. Tiny Rowland, 
James Goldsmith and Mohammed Al Fayed were the only ones who were not finished.




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