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Charles: A Man Alone (1992)
A documentary on Charles - post Charles & Diana breakup
This documentary was aired on the UK satellite channel True Entertainment at 2.00am on Friday 13th December 2013.
Produced on the back of Andrew Morton's book "Diana: Her True Story" this 1992 TV documentary tries to give the viewer the impression that the breakup of the fairytale marriage was mostly the result of the pressures placed on the couple by everyone, & I mean everyone, and that any hatred, bitterness, or infidelity were unfortunate consequences.
The media, the monarchy, industrialists, past history, traditionalists, the tabloids, everybody, including us, the general public, were in some way to blame for the breakup of the royal marriage. To me, the documentary is a thinly disguised but firm debunking of the negative statements about Charles, as depicted in Morton's book.
Apparently, according to this documentary anyway, Charles' numerous official duties, his own drives and ambitions, and his honest commitment to his position as a royal prince got in the way. Apparently, Diana could not handle royal protocol but could manipulate a gullible public to her own ends. Apparently, Diana became too famous & Charles was picked on. Apparently, she was media savvy, and had no scruples in flaunting herself or the kids to the media limelight. Apparently, Charles liked this but Diana liked that, and so on and so forth throughout the programme. Every so often the documentary stresses the (sincerely) good deeds and actions carried out by our "macho" manly prince who has to have things his way, and then goes on to have a small dig at the princess of hearts.
Insight into Diana and her rationale is provided by Morton himself in the documentary. The rest of the commentators in the programme are on Charles' side. Neither Charles nor Diana appear in the documentary, except via archive footage on matters not directly related to the breakup.
As a piece of c/overt pro- royal/pro-Charles propaganda I don't think I have ever seen such blatant rose-tinting in 4:3 aspect ratio before. This puff piece for the Charles camp (sorry, I mean documentary) genuinely attempted to portray Charles as a forthright driven man who was wrongly demonized because of his outspoken views on (& this was actually stated about half-way through the programme - not by the prince himself I might add -) the following
wealthy powerful institutions, the most powerful people in Britain, architects, the automotive industry, the agrochemical industry, oh, and peat producers no less.
It seems that all these influential rich people wanted to silence the future King of England. Why it was even suggested that Charles could have been the subject of an assassination attempt or a smear campaign - hint - hint.
At the time back in 1992 the UK was split between believing Di as a malicious gossip and liar and believing Charles as innocent of any sort of impropriety. It's now 2013 & 21 years later we can all look back on the events of 1992 and on what has happened since.
For what it's worth the documentary is a neat bit of social history. An attempt by the programme producers to show the prince in a good light and to stave-off (some seriously thought at the time) a very grave threat to the institution that was the monarchy of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations. In 1992 it was produced as a foil to the bad press that HRH the prince of Wales was receiving.
Today the documentary serves no real factual purpose, but for those old enough to have been around at the time it reminds us how the establishment of the day tried to subvert such bad press against the monarchy. Today the breakup is a footnote in history and time has moved on. Today all it really shows us is how lucky we are when we meet the right person and how things can get all mixed up when a relationship does not work out.
Or was Diana merely breeding stock?
RATING 5 out of 10. roysix-1
Doomwatch: Winter Angel (1999)
Doomwatch - Failed Reboot
My review is based on my recollection of this TV pilot when it was originally broadcast on Channel 5 in the UK, back in 1999. The details of characters and plot points are now pretty vague in my memory (12+ years having now passed) but I can still remember that I enjoyed this programme in much the same way I enjoyed The Quatermass Conclusion (i.e. Nice to see a favourite back on TV but disappointed that it wasn't like the "original"). I should also point out that I am familiar with the "original" Doomwatch TV series of the 70's and the Ian Bannen film version of 1972, owning VHS & DVD copies of each.
This type of film needs to be carried by a lead actor up to the task and in that respect Trevor Eve handles the heroic starring roll with aplomb, giving his character the gravitas required to fulfill that position. No!!!, that sounds poncy. What I meant to say was Trevor Eve is good in it. I don't remember thinking anything more about the acting in this film. I remember that the plot intrigued me. I also remember that the ending was good, setting the scene for a series that unfortunately never transpired.
I see that this film is now available on DVD. I personally wont bother buying the DVD. Although Doomwatch: Winter Angel had it's moments, had an interesting storyline, and great potential as a new TV series, the bottom line is that unsatisfactory feeling of watching another failed TV pilot, and I've seen so many of them over the years. However, if they ever repeat it on TV and I'm not doing anything that day I'll probably record it.
Signals (1987)
A short film about the consequences of a rape attack
A woman recounts her rape ordeal from a hospital bed. Adult themes about the consequences of a rape attack are portrayed through the eyes of the female victim. A thought provoking short film, which was aired tonight on the Turner Classic Movies channel in the UK.
Although only running 5 minutes the film makes good use of realism to show the terrible consequences of a rape attack.
It is certainly not a film that one would want to watch, but when caught unaware/unprepared, as I was (whilst I was waiting for the next movie to start), I believe its message and impact was as the Director intended and for that the Director should be applauded. I would not dream of trying to mark this film out of 10.
The Earth Dies Screaming (1964)
Misleading title, but intriguing film
Firstly, a comment on the film's title. Considering that the premise of the film is that alien invaders have anaesthetised virtually the entire population of the planet a more fitting title would have been 'The Earth Dies Sleeping'. However, don't let that put you off watching it.
What the film lacks in budget, effects, plot, and acting (Thorley Walters), it makes up for with moody photography, dramatic sound, acting (Dennis Price), and (except for the final act) a genuinely eerie atmosphere.
And it's thanks to that eerie atmosphere that this film rises above mediocre. SPOILER>>>> One stand out moment occurs about half way through when a woman hides in a wardrobe in order to evade a re-animated corpse that is being controlled by the robots. The tension builds.. and builds.. AND BUILDS.... AAAAND BUILLLLDS!!!!. This scene in particular is a gem.
Dennis Price SPOILER>>>> doing his usual creepy/evil bit, as a thief that was locked in a vault when the world was gassed and then trying to steal the hero's new girlfriend for no real reason (except lust possibly), just about tops the acting talent in the film.
Considering that the plot is so thin it's strange that there is still room for a few plot holes. Such as SPOILER>>>> why does Dennis Price wait for Willard Parker to wake up to knock him unconscious. He could have done while he slept.
Budgetary constraints unfortunately come in to full effect with the final act. SPOILER>>>> The destruction of the radio antenna is laughable.
Despite all these negatives "The Earth Dies Screaming" is still a worthy film, and I'm sure it will be appreciated by fans of similar and better fare.
In film terms it doesn't quite reach the giddy heights of greats like The Trollenberg Terror (U.S The Crawling Eye), the Brian Donlevy Quatermass films, or X-The Unknown. Although I would say that it is comparable to the Edward Judd starer Invasion.
In TV terms the film has more parallels with the likes of a few 60's & early 70's Dr Who episodes, some early Diana Rigg Avengers episodes, and artier drama, like the original A for Andromeda, but without the plot depth.
RATING 6 out of 10. roysix-1