The Reckoning

Discover the dark secrets behind a beloved figure; perfect for true crime enthusiasts and those captivated by unsettling mysteries.

Genres: Drama, Crime, History

Cast

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Your Status

The Reckoning

TV Show20233h 53mEnglishBBC OneDrama, Crime, History
1 Season4 EpisodesEpisode Guide
7.4
User Score
64%
Critic Score
IMDb

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Overview

This series traces the rise of a hugely influential British celebrity and fundraiser, and how public admiration masked disturbing allegations for decades. Through dramatized scenes and real accounts, it explores how power, access, and institutions can enable abuse to remain hidden in plain sight.

Insights

Review Summary

Pros: unsettling, gripping atmosphere; strong lead performance; includes real testimonies | Cons: very hard to watch; some question accuracy; uneven depth and focus

Will You Like This?

You may like this if you want a harrowing, conversation-starting true-crime drama about fame and accountability, with an intense, unsettling tone; Not for you if you avoid distressing subject matter or prefer lighter series like McMafia or Heartbeat.

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Featured Comments/Tips

A difficult watch but worth watching to see how many people were under his spell. Brilliantly acted.

There has been some debate about whether this should exist. Or that it will bring some harm to his victims reliving these experiences again. I think both sides have valid points. But one thing I'm constantly reminded of is that Jimmy Savile wanted to keep his dirty secret exactly a secret, where everybody forgets it and doesn't talk about it. So, to piss on his memory and wishes, let's keep talking about it. And never forget, not only his horrific actions but the people around him that let this carry on. Because even though Savile and a couple of his pals have been exposed, I feel like this is only the tip of the iceberg. Steve Coogan is incredible in thisโ€”a chilling but compelling performance.

A lot of these documentaries miss out on the fact that we want to see a person behind a name. It's usually a who what when in the most basic way we all know of.

A truly haunting and shocking series, in which Steve Coogan provides an award winning performance, together with the rest of the cast. Quite simply the best series Iโ€™ve seen in a long time, yet it could have been played out over a much longer run time, with further background as to how it all started, his DJ career, Top of the Pops, Jimโ€™ll Fix It and finally Big Brother. 10/10.

Despite some reluctance about how to soften the BBC's responsibility and how to avoid references to the close relationship with King Charles III, the series effectively constructs the duality of the flamboyant character vs. the pedophile monster who managed to seduce an entire country. An extraordinary performance by Steve Coogan maintains balance without becoming caricature, despite the character's histrionics, and offers a subtle representation of the sexual predator beyond the friendly smile. The focus is more on the victims, which leads to a much more horrific approach to abuse.

I wouldn't say this was 1) worth watching or 2) well made. It doesn't strike the right balance of showing Savile to be the monster he was and the plight of the young 'uns he was abusing. I know it is a difficult balance to show the reality of how it would have been and the times/locations/circumstances... But still. If I were a victim, would i feel this was an adequate representation of what had been done to me...? I can't help feeling, no - resoundingly. That said, Coogan does a good job in his portrayal which was an elongated impression for most of it. If the BBC feels they have somehow vindicated themselves here. They have not.

Featured User Reviews

The reason I mark this down will not be popular. The claims against Savile are not as open and shut as many believe. Nany of the accusations do not stand up to even the most basic investigation. Savile was famous. His location was of public accord most if the time via the media and tv work. Some accusations have been proved false because they use a timeframe when Savile was known to be somewhere else. Other claims mention his famous yellow rolls royce but their claim was becorehe had that car. Other claims about assualts in bbc premises after shows were fake because they assumed the show was made at bbc studios when in fact the show was made at bbc theatre, shepherds bush, a different location. Out of 475 claims against Saviour estate about 75 percent got rejected for not being possible due to some of the reasons mentioned. Imagine if the others had gone through the law courts, they may all have been rejected. And as for the morgue claim, that is rubbish. The country went through mass hysteria for a year accusing all first of old entertainers of abuse and most were innocent. I hope some people investigate the claims more

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The Reckoning Poster

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The Reckoning Poster

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