The Reckoning - 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 this—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 I’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, Jim’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.