The Thick of It: Back in the loop

With a general election approaching, the return of Armando Iannucci's invective-filled political satire couldn't be better timed, says Gerard Gilbert.

Why I Love...The Thick of It

Armando Iannucci might well be right in his assertion that Yes Minister was the series that first lifted the lid on the workings of government - but history will show that it was The Thick of It that built on that foundation to give us our most candid tour around the corridors of power.

In the Loop and leads nominations for Scottish Baftas

The political satire In The Loop has three nominations, for actor Peter Capaldi, director Armando Iannucci and the film's writers.

The Thick of It: top ten Malcolm Tucker moments

Armando Iannucci's political comedy returns on October 24. So what new heights of swearing will Tucker reach this series - and can anything better his finest moments so far?

Funniest film of 2009? This hilariously biting political satire has already got my vote. Think Yes, Minister with more swearing. A lot more swearing. OK, ballistic levels of swearing. Swearing so sublime and breathtakingly vicious, it makes you wince with pleasure.

As discerning comedy fans will already know, this is the movie adaptation of The Thick Of It, Armando Iannucci's massively acclaimed TV sitcom, which means that by the rules of such transitions, it should be pants.

Yet there are no compromises to be found here, certainly not in the teeth department. With original star Chris Langham unavailable due to his conviction for downloading child porn - a chain of events beyond even the show's scurrilous imagination - it's up to the ever-marvellous Tom Hollander to play hapless secretary of state Simon Foster, who bleats out lines such as: 'To walk the road of peace, sometimes we need to be prepared to climb the mountain of conflict.' Only to be savaged by the PM's rabid Alastair Campbell-alike communications officer, Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi). 'Climb the mountain of conflict?' he scoffs. 'You sound like some Nazi Julie Andrews.'

Bounced along at every turn by brilliant aphorisms and comic turns, including The Sopranos's James Gandolfini bulking out the transatlantic audience appeal as a warmongering general, there's admittedly not much in the way of actual narrative. But, frankly, who cares when you're laughing this hard?

Watch an exclusive deleted scene from In the Loop

Armando Iannucci's blistering satire is out on DVD on 24 August. Remind yourself why Peter Bradshaw awarded it five stars with this exclusive deleted scene, in which Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) mouths off over the phone. Warning: there will be swearing.

Armando Iannucci's marvellously caustic political sitcom returns with a new minister heading the hapless Department of Social Affairs. Played by Rebecca Front (The Day Today), she'll treat Malcolm Tucker - the petrifying Alastair Campbell-style spin doctor - with "a little less respect than he's used to," says Iannucci.

One last thing ...

The In The Loop satirist on politics, pizzas and swearing in front of his mum. Armando Iannucci talks to Rich Pelley.

In The Loop's Armando Iannucci on his favourites

The world as listed by the writer and director.

Armando Iannucci: 'I don't despise politicans'

The creator of 'In the Loop' and 'The Thick of It' is one of the funniest men in Britain. Is he also one of the angriest?