Black Mirror “The National Anthem” (2011) - 88%
Although technically not a film, this hour-long special was the most genuinely gripping, engaging and exciting piece of television I have seen in years. Written and executively produced by the always brilliant Charlie Brooker, Black Mirror part 1 “The National Anthem” concerns a kidnapped people’s princess and a prime minister who has to, well, he has to make sacrifices to save her from her captor. Captivating from start to finish, The National Anthem is a thoroughly astute conversation (is that a pretentious word to use) on the Twitter generation and its voracity for communication through technology. Satire would probably be a reductionist tag to give it though, as the technology aspect is not so much a high concept as a little statement.
The plot is essentially a ‘Saw’-like ‘how much blood would you shed to stay alive’ tale for the one man held capable of saving the life of much loved princess. The problem, however, is that the conundrum is out there; through sites such as YouTube and Twitter and no doubt our beloved Tumblr, the ultimatum issued is very much public knowledge. How far would you go to save her life if you knew the world was aware of your predicament? How about if you were the prime minister?
For such a set-up, and with the reference to Saw that I just made, you could be forgiven for thinking that you wouldn’t be getting any laughs from The National Anthem. Well I’m here to set that record straight. Even though I was the one who just made you assume that initial thing about there being no laughs. Well it has both. So, if you’re in the UK, log onto 4OD (or indeed Channel 4’s YouTube channel and enjoy the gripping suspense and big laughs. Credit must also go to director Otto Bathurst. Well done you, bloody good job.
Roll on part 2: “15 Million Merits”, in which the only escape from daily grudgery is fame. The series is very much in the mould of Tales of the Unexpected, or The Twilight Zone.
88%
