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Obama's blockbuster gift for Brown: 25 classic films
Joe Murphy5 Mar 2009
Gordon Brown has been given a collection of 25 classic American films on DVD as his official gift from Barack Obama.
The Prime Minister flew home from his successful trip to Washington this morning with the "special collector's box" of films hidden in his luggage.
No10 had tried to keep the present a secret, refusing to answer reporters who asked what President Obama had given to mark the reaffirmation of the special relationship. However, the Evening Standard discovered the truth through White House insiders.
One reason for the secrecy might be that the gift seems markedly less generous and thoughtful than the presents taken to Washington by the Prime Minister.
Mr Brown's gifts included an ornamental desk pen holder made from the oak timbers of Victorian anti-slaver HMS Gannet, once named HMS President.
Mr Obama was so delighted he has already put it in pride of place in the Oval Office on the Resolute Desk which was carved from timbers of Gannet's sister ship, HMS Resolute. Another treasure given to the US President was the framed commission for HMS Resolute, a vessel that came to symbolise Anglo-US peace when it was saved from ice packs by Americans and given to Queen Victoria.
Finally, Mr Brown gave a first edition set of the seven-volume classic biography of Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert.
The White House issued a press briefing today that put on record how much Mr Obama had appreciated the gifts.
The Prime Minister's reaction to getting DVDs is not known. Mr Brown is not noted for his love of cinema, although he once claimed on a trip to India that he was an admirer of Bollywood.
As revealed by yesterday's Standard, the Browns showered gifts on the Obama children too, using the occasion to promote British exports.
Sarah Brown gave Sasha and Malia Obama an outfit each from Topshop, which has just opened its first American store in New York. She also picked six children's books by British authors which are shortly to be published in America.
In return, the Obamas gave the Browns two models of the presidential helicopter, Marine One, to take home to sons Fraser and John.
President Obama telephoned Mr Brown on board his plane last night to thank him for a productive visit.
Reader views (53)
When i read about this carefully structured insult i was pretty angry, more of an unsult toward our nation rather than to the man himself. I cant believe so many people lick the ground this obama prat walks on, what has he done to be commended? broke almost every single promise he mad prior to coming into power?
- Luke, Durham, England, 10/12/2009 19:13
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Most dvd's sold in the US are not compatable with the UK. Wouldn't that be funny....
- Dee, Chesapeake USA formerly Great Britain but not Great anymore, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Probably quite appropiate as he lives in a fantasy world!!
- Stephen, United Kingdom, 10/12/2009 18:13
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What Century are you living in Dee?
- Mike, London, UK, 10/12/2009 18:13
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What an appropriate gift, after all Gordon Bean will soon have plenty of spare time on his hands to watch the films.
- Neil, Gloucestershire, England., 10/12/2009 18:13
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Third rate twaddle like Forrest Gump no doubt!
- Mike, London, UK formerly US but now Third World, 10/12/2009 18:13
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DVD's? What a horrendously tacky presidential gift. I think it's a snub. The helicopters are cool though - lucky kids.
- Isabel, Woking, 10/12/2009 18:13
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I hope he declares these DVDs in the register of members' interests! Otherwise he will be liable to benefit in kind taxation.
Alternatively he could use the DVDs to start a new DVD hire company. I hear that Blockbuster are going down the tubes and Gordo will be needing a new career soon, anyway.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 10/12/2009 18:13
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No doubt about it, the Browns have down better out of this trip than the Obamas. 25 classic films and 2 scale models of the bestest helicopter ever, or what? Sorry about the pen holder, the retail frocks and the remaindered books.
- Bloke, London, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Well,Brown does claim to be a Historian!
- Harvey Lawrence, London UK, 10/12/2009 18:13
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There is a rumor that the helicopters came from the White House gift shop.
- Rob, Davenprot, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Sounds like one of the lesser prizes from popular 80's quiz show "Bullseye".
If Sarkozy gets the speedboat and the bendy bully, we may have a major diplomatic incident to look at.
- Luke, London, UK, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Presumably the gifts were not personally purchased by Obama and Brown, but were paid for out of government funds. In which case Obama was more prudent and sensible with US taxpayers' money than Brown was with ours. Didn't his mother ever teach him that it's the thought that counts!
Typical of Brown. So eager to make a good impression but doing it at our expense. The Scots are usually renowned for being prudent and sensible with money, but there's always the exception that proves the rule! But then you've only got to look at his economic policies to know that.
- Peter, Warwick, UK, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Good Grief - has anyone told Obama that he is the President and leader of the free world. We don't give the Prime Minister DVD movies.
- Mary Ellen, Glenwood USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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lets see
Crash Gordon
Armageddon
One flew over the cookoo's nest
Falling down
Apocalypse now
- Fly, london, 10/12/2009 18:13
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What unique treasures the UK has bestowed upon us, only to be gifted something from Walmart...
- Rick Smith, Los Angeles, 10/12/2009 18:13
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The DVDs were probably picked up at Target. And not even Blu-Ray? It's amateur hour in the White House.
- Real American, Real America, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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The gift of DVD of American movies was to say the least tacky! I am not sure if the State Department or White House staff is responsible for the tacky gifts, returning of the bust of Winston Churchill, and sloppy reception given the Prime Minister but persons responsible deserve to be fired immediately if not sooner!
$900 million dollars to rebuild the Humas stronghold in Gaza and slap in the face to our countries finest ally is not exactly what most Americans want. Get rid of Ron Immanuel who apparently is spending too much time trying to get Rush Limbaugh than serving you Mr. President!
- Mike Lowry, Stuttgart Germany, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Maybe after the next Presidential election we will have a President who will equal the thoughtfulness and sincerity of your Prime Minister. Please know that the majority of Americans hold Brits dear to our hearts.
- Gary, Amarillo, Texas, U.S.A., 10/12/2009 18:13
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My apologies to all of Britain. This presisent is proving to be classless, crude, and ignorant. I am embarrassed for my country and the total lack of respect shown to our British friends. And his followers still refuse to see the "man behind the curtain"!
- Kathy, Mabel, Minneaota, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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What seems to escaped Mr Obama is that if it was an intended insult he has acheived his objective. I could not care less if he has insulted gordon Brown, however GB is the peoples representative abroad and thus Mr Obama insults us all. Not a good start.
- Peter Davies, shrewsbury england, 10/12/2009 18:13
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My sincerest apologies for the way PM Brown was disrespected by our president on his recent visit.GOD save the Queen and GOD help the U.S.
- James D. Rathjen, Miami,Okla. U.S.A., 10/12/2009 18:13
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Was there a gift reciept attached? ugh how embarrassing
- Deb, USA Florida, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Why does this seem a surprise???? The man is so arrogant...he can't possibly acknowlege or share "the limelight"!
- Cathy, Dallas TX, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Hey, what would you expect, this guy is a Socialist, he doesn't normally give anything to the wealthy or influential, he takes from them. Besides, whoever said he has any class?! When you elect a community activist, you should expect no more. This guy couldn't even pass the Secret Service background check to be his own bodyguard, with his checkard past. I'm just happy not to hear that he gave him a collection of RAP CD's!!!
- Frank, Bowling Green, KY USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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I am another who believes this was a shamefull and deliberate slight. If he had not chosen to evict the bust of Churchill from the Oval Office as one of his very first acts it might be possible to pass it off as an amateur's mistake.
$900,000,000 for Hammas, DVD's for our friends. I feel ill.
- Todd From The Heartland, Usa, Orland Park, IL USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Obama is a cheap communist. Brown should nuke Air Force one on the runway.
- Bielie, RSA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Those in the United States who take elections seriously and research the background, experience and philosophy of the candidates, are not surprised by Mr. Obama's disrespect of our principle ally and, perhaps more importantly, the nation from which most of us draw our ancestry and heritage. Frankly, we don’t understand why you did not also anticipate it. I suspect that the media in Great Britain is to blame but I will leave that judgment to you. There are those who will make light of this clear signal of disrespect, suggesting that it was a mere error. Make no such mistake, however. Mr. Obama does nothing that is not completely preplanned. If it looks like an insult, it is. This slight is a message that Mr. Obama does not need Great Britain. He is turning the United States’ foreign policy at right angles to decades of carefully nurtured relationships. In less than two months he has shown support for Hamas by sending financial support to them that he knows will be subverted to military use, disrespected Israel, opened his arms to Syria, embraced Iran, prepared to abandon Iraq, and now has shown complete disdain for Great Britain. Does anyone else see a philosophy emerging?
You should take comfort, however, knowing that his foreign policy is a rousing success compared to his domestic policy. His War on Capitalism is causing the largest economic downturn in the US since the 1930’s. It may eventually be worse.
- Wrossdavis, Auburn, AL USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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I am very embarrassed at this man's audacity. I am truly sorry, as an American, and apologize for obama's ignorance.
- Mark, Lubbock, Texas, U.S.A., 10/12/2009 18:13
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I'm sure a few people put heads together in deciding on a gift for Brown. It wasn't only Obama's decision. Which makes this cheap and tacky gift that much more unbelievable.
- Neon Parrot, Guntersville, Alabama, 10/12/2009 18:13
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My sincerest apologies to our British friends! It's still beyond me why the world clamors for this man. His facade is beginning to crack and it will be interesteing to see how long it takes for his enamored followers to see his true character (or lack thereof).
- Not A Supporter Of The Cheapskate, North Carolina, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Considering the long standing friendship between our countries, this lack of class is very embarrassing. For what is's worth, my personal apologies.
- Brian, New Ipswich, NH, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Is it more or less of an outrage that Bush gave Brown a leather bomber jacket with a fur lining about two summers ago? Why are we focusing on this anyway? Our economic downturn isn't enough of a story for the media? I just hope that in 2012 there are more people who can spell embarrassment.
- K, NJ, 10/12/2009 18:13
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I can't put into one short comment how disgraceful I think this is. How insulting. I did not vote for this man even though I initially liked him during the campaign. I began to see warning signs, and my sense is confirmed all the time and by this no less. I think this insult is unacceptable as is the returning of the Churchill bust.
I don't think most Americans want their country to be like this. They've just grown used to the feeding tube that attaches them to the Whitehouse.
- Jonathan G, Missouri, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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I want to apologize to all of you British people for our country electing Obama. I didn't vote for him, so I am not sure if I can apologize. Obama is taking a swipe at Britain at every opportunity.
- Adam Smith, Omaha, NE, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Mike
I know you are five hours ahead but that do I love your sarcasm - so English. My parents, who have just visited these great shores, and have a relatively new DVD player cannot play movies they purchased,....What, Mike, do you suggest?
- Dee, Chesapeake USA formerly Great Britain but not Great anymore, 10/12/2009 18:13
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wrong, gary, you may be an anglophile, but the majority of americans are not.
- Peter Donnelly, smyrna, de. usa, 10/12/2009 18:13
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The British Isles and the United States have stood as comrades in arms since America was founded. In the darkest of days British leaders along with Americans stood together. I will attempt to believe our president did not mean to insult. Accept my apologies, together let us overlook this event. In the coming days ahead we shall both need are national resolve, allow nothing to come between the relationship Americans and British Isles have enjoyed.
- Michael Henderson, Talladega, Alabama, 10/12/2009 18:13
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I feel the need to apologize for our newly elected leader. Please do not feel that the American people agree with Mr. Obama's tasteless and thoughtless gifts to Prime Minister Brown.
Mr. Brown brought our country gifts that were pieces of history and very thoughtful indeed. Britons have a right to be angry; they have been Obamally snubbed. Even my young children are appalled at such a slap in the face to our most supportive ally. As for the Winston Churchill bust being returned, what a shame! Our president should have been honored to display such a generous gift, even for just a few more years.
J Wolfe
Virginia, USA
- Jane Wolfe, Virginia, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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I "would" apologize for our President's poor taste, but I didn't vote for him, and most of Europe seemed to think he was the second coming. I stand vindicated. Enjoy the next four years. I suspect the world will look back with nostalgia when the worst of his faux pas involved gift giving.
- Matt C, Somewhere, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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This is extremely embarrassing to all Americans. Obama just isn't a classy guy and obviously isn't ready to be President of the USA. President of Sweden maybe but not the USA.
- Nan, Chicago, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Barack Obama has embarassed us as a nation with his thoughtless, crass, Time Life collection found on ebay gift to Gordon Brown. I wouldn't give that to my awful inlaws because they would KNOW how little thought that I put into it.
- Jennifer, crofton, md, usa, 10/12/2009 18:13
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This "so called" president has NO class. Anyone can see that there was NO thought put into his gift to our wonderful allies. We cannot allow this president to destroy any more of our relations with the British. They have always stood along side us in every situation. I truly want to say how sorry I am to have such a person to represent this country. What are we in for ???
- Lucy, Mount Airy NC, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Can't wait for 2012. Anyone but this emabarrasment. Lets just hope we stil have a nation come 2012.
- Jeff, EC MD, 10/12/2009 18:13
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And your gift would have been?
- Linda, Seneca USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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I can assure you with no fear of contradiction that the vast majority of Americans would rather see their tax dollars go for purchasing a real helicopter for the Brown children than send billions of their dollars to British banks as part of the A.I.G. bailout. It always seems to be silly time these days in Merrie Old England. Rather than slam Obama you should thank him for trying to keep the payments to British banks a secret.
- Michael Schub, Garrison, NY USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Sure it's a big deal. This is the most powerful man in the free world and he gives his closest ally a stack of DVDs he can buy at Blockbuster!? What a boob! What a disrespectful, idiotic child!
- Hondo, Smithville, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Wait till you see the State coach being prepared in Australia for the British people - sorry, for Royalty only, no peasants. Dripping with gold & more priceless timber relics than you can poke a stick at - so as to speak. Maybe a photo could be sent to the White-house " Something like this would be quite nice hem, hem "
- Roger The Barker, Sydney Australia, 10/12/2009 18:13
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It is a complete disgrace. Obama and his family were presented with well thought out, wonderful gifts, and in return he sends some assistant to the nearest market to throw something together. Since Obama has taken office he has only seemed to want to humiliate Brown and the people of the UK, from returning the bust of Churchill (which was a gift given to the American People right after the 9-11 attacks), to foregoing the usual formal joint press conference and now these gifts from a cracker jack box, it is all very pathetic. Not a very nice way to treat your closest ally.
- Don, California, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Mr. Brown's gifts do seem to brillantly chosen. I don't know if the President can keep them or not - they would be wonderful to add to the White House collection. And our return gift was not so hot - although the models are nice for the children. The Obamas have missed this before. Maybe they need to hire someone to help them with this.
- Susan, charlotte, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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I think they should remove him from office. It was a gift people look at what you are writing about, stupid stuff.
- Michael, Toledo, Ohio, 10/12/2009 18:13
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I'm a so abjectly embarrassed by this latest gaff by the President of the United States. It is clear that he is simply an amateur in professional's clothing.
It's almost as if went to the nearest Target (a large US retailer that sells just about everything at a discount), and pushed a shopping cart through the aisles grabbing this and that without thinking.
It's not just that the presents were cheap and historically insignificant, it's that out of all the possible gifts that one would give a head of state (head of government in case of Britain), a box set of DVDs and toy helicopters are such thoughtless and classless choices! These things are comercially available anywhere!
Someone has already commented on the Bomber Jackets given by Bush to Brown and Blair, positing that the jackets were just as classless.
Although the jackets would not have been my choice, at least they were thoughtful and personalized as well as historical. First of all, the Bomber Jackets (which have the airforce 1 seal) are not commercially available and the PMs names on them. Secondly, The British and the US have a strong Bomber/Fighter connection. (B-25s and B-17s and P40 fithers were provided to the UK during WWII and the US and the UK together bombed the Nazi's into submission). Finally, Bush was a fighter pilot and has his own Bomber Jacket. This is like a UK PM being an equestrian and giving the US President a gift of riding boots!
Obama's gift is far more classless.
- Paul, Washington DC, USA, 10/12/2009 18:13
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Who cares. They should be giving nothing as we are in a depression and the citizen is footing the bill.
- Natches, Windsor, 10/12/2009 18:13
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