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Taking The Flak [DVD] [2009]
![Taking The Flak [DVD] [2009]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511OfztnGbL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £7.92 (subject to change)
Cliched but fun
Review date: 2010-06-01 Rating: 8 out of 10
This TV series, featuring a barely-disguised John Simpson character played by Martin Jarvis, is set in a fictional East African nation in the midst of civil war. The BBC team depicted may veer towards pantomine cliche but that's the point - it's a comedy, not a drama-documentary and it's fun to try and spot the real-life journalists they are taking the mickey out of as well as the genuine reporters and presenters making cameo appearances (John Humphries, Jennie Bond et al). As it was written by John Simpson's ex-partner (I believe I'm right in saying) then you can be sure that it is grounded in fact, albeit camped up for effect.
The African problems, corruption and shady characters in the storylines may be uncomfortably real however.
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Reviews
Taking the Mickey
Review date: 2009-11-14 Rating: 10 out of 10
I could never understand how the BBC could continue with Silent Witness after French and Saunders did a skit on it called Witless Silence... and I don't know how BBC TV correspondents can continue to do what they do after Taking the Flak has exposed the behind the scenes shenanigans they get up to.
I confess I don't really know if BBC international reporting is quite like this, but they do make it seem very authentic.
Martin Jarvis is the big name front man who reports to camera on the war in central Africa. He is the spit and image of ... well look and see. His behaviour is perhaps not always entirely ...as dignified as you would expect. Doon Mackichan is the producer who has to manage the gaggle of reporters, compete for space on the BBC News, and get on (or should that be "off"?) with the cameramen... I found the supporting characters utterly hilarious - eg Grace ("you smell as if the devil himself had passed wind") and Joyful, the fixer who ultimately fixes himself a job in the new government. The local stringer, who begins each episode talking to the camera but really only to himself (because he can't get the Newsroom to see how newsworthy his reports actually are), and the world service (radio) reporter grew on me each episode.
I am praying they do a second series - but I am not sure John Simpson (especially), Jennie Bond, and John Humphrys, amongst others, would want to let them...
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Doon MacKichan
Martin Jarvis
Damian O'Hare
Bruce McKinnon
Rhashan Stone
Creators:
Martin Jarvis (Primary Contributor)
Rhashan Stone (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5051561030611
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2009-08-17
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 240 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2009
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Subtitled)