Understandably, this programme was receiving mixed to negative criticism whilst it was being filmed, the media personality and former national treasure is now regarded as one of the most reviled monsters in British history, but I was equally fascinated to see someone play him. Basically, it tells the story of the rise to fame of disc jockey turned television presenter and charity fundraiser Jimmy Savile (Steve Coogan). In 2011, journalist Dan Davies (Mark Stanley) is interviewing Savile for an upcoming book about his life and career. Savile was popular as a DJ in the early 1960s and lived in Salford with his friend Ray Teret (Robert Emms). He ran successful sell-out club dances for young people in halls around Leeds and Manchester and volunteers at teaching hospital Leeds General Infirmary. During this time, his gaining popularity allowed him to exploit these positions and sexually abuse people, ranging from young women to children. In 1964, the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) launched the music chart television show Top of the Pops, and Savile was chosen as its presenter, with victims of his abuse watching in horror. TOTP makes Savile a household name and his influence grows at the BBC and a range of other institutions. His mother, Agnes Savile (Gemma Jones), suspected his son had a darker side but never spoke to the press and died in 1972. At the peak of his fame and influence in 1976, he started hosting Jim'll Fix It, a popular entertainment show encouraging children to write letters to Savile to have their wishes granted, with millions of viewers watching. Savile is a Roman Catholic, he made a confession to a priest about sexual abuse, he is told should turn himself in but never did. He further cements his position of power by spearheading a fundraising campaign for Stoke Mandeville Hospital, he volunteered there and at Broadmoor Hospital; he was given unprecedented access throughout these buildings. He took advantage and abused several patients and staff members at the hospitals. But his status as a respected charity worker and volunteer for good causes meant he could hide in plain sight, while he had influence to silence the victims of his crimes. Savile managed to get close to many famous people in entertainment, music, sport, and politics, in Britain and throughout the world, including a friendship with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Fenella Woolgar). Before her resignation, Thatcher secured Savile to receive a knighthood from Her Majesty, The Queen in 1990 for his charitable work. Savile is angered when Jim'll Fix It was cancelled in 1994. In the early 2000s, Savile's popularity was slightly waning, and Top of the Pops was cancelled in 2006 due to declining ratings; Savile was invited to appear on the final episode with only fleeting appearances. The same year, Savile made an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother which he later came to regret. In the 2010s, Savile's health was declining but he continued to take advantage of younger people when he found the opportunity. He continued to go wherever he wanted whilst in hospital and is seen getting close to the corpse of an elderly lady, implying that he was a necrophile as well as a paedophile, and an orderly may have been aware of this. During his interviews with Davies, Savile gave cryptic answers to his questions, especially those regarding the allegations of being a sexual predator. Savile was questioned several times by the police and authority figures at the BBC and other organisations that he frequented about his behaviour, but no charges were ever brought against him. Many of the allegations were either denied or unreleased, mostly because of Savile's threats to stop fundraising or take legal action against corporations. Savile pleads to tell Davies everything as he realises his health is increasingly poor, but still does not give clear answers. In 2011, he calls a priest to read his last rites, but he does admit to any sins, deciding to take his chances as he has done in life. A short time later, on 29 October, Savile dies in his flat in Leeds, with his fingers crossed. There were many tributes for him in the days following his death, he was buried in a golden coffin, and many people lined the streets to pay their respects. However, the following year, his crimes are covered by the media, tarnishing his reputation. Since then, his knighthood has been revoked, and his grave headstone was removed and destroyed. Also starring Michael Jibson as Bill Cotton, Julian Rhind-Tutt as Johnnie Stewart, Faye McKeever as Alison, Mark Lewis Jones as Charles Hullighan, Siobhan Finneran as Beryl Hullighan, Peter Wight as Peter Jaconelli, Neil Pearson as Eric Morley, and Henry Goodman as Sir Ludwig Guttman. Coogan with his voice (he previously voiced Savile in Spitting Image) and the makeup and wigs to certainly looks just like the disgraced entertainer we all know, I admit he could have been a little more eccentric in his mannerisms, but overall he is chillingly spot on. Mention should also go to Woolgar who does a great impression of Thatcher, and Jones as his mother who may have been aware of his evil activities. It was brave of Coogan to take on the role of Savile, and for the BBC (which may or may not have known about some of his crimes) to make the show in the first place, but it one of those things that I suppose needs to be done. I can see why there were mixed reactions from critics, it is a little gratuitous in moments, there is a lot of swearing (probably for dramatic purposes), and it is depressing and unenlightening, but it is certainly a well-done portrait of the disgusting perverted sicko, a worthwhile biographical drama. Good!
Review of The Reckoning
