Your lockdown political documentary/film recommendations

A few weeks ago I did this segment with William Crawley on Talkback but a few of you have been in touch with me to ask for a written copy.Here you go.

  1. The Killing Season-The Killing Season is a 2015 Australian television three-part documentary series which analyses the events of the Rudd–Gillard Government of 2007–2013, a turbulent period of Australian political history. You don’t need to have a great knowledge of Australian politics to watch this.
  2. Labour-The Wilderness Years which is  an epic four-part documentary following the history of the Labour Party from 1979 to 1995 when it was on the cusp of a return to power.
  3. Tory Tory Tory!-Ever wondered who was behind the New Right revolution? This documentary charts the rise of  the people behind Thatcher and how she used office to change Britain.
  4. Bertie-Four part documentary on the life and times of Ireland’s second longest serving Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern,
  5. Primary Colors-“The media giveth and go f**k yourself.” This political film charts the presidential journey of s Southern governor, Jack Stanton. Obviously based on Bill Clinton, it stars Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton and Kathy Bates. Well wroth a watch.
  6. PBS American Experience-The Presidents. These series chart the various Presidents of the USA. Of particular note there are good ones on Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. They are very in-depth and give you a great overview of the person.
  7. Haughey-“There will never be a time like it again” This four part documentary charts the life of Ireland’s most controversial Taoiseach, Charles Haughey.
  8. The Dismissal-“Well may we say God save the Queen, because nothing with save the Governor-General” Gough Whitlam in 1975 after being sacked by Sir John Kerr as Australian Prime Minister. This film charts the rise of Whitlam to power in 1972 and how it all went wrong within three years.
  9. Prairie Giant-The Tommy Douglas Story; Rev T.C Douglas was the first leader of a socialist government in North America. As Premier of Saskatchewan he brought universal health care to Canada and a host of other major reforms. This is a film about his life and how his CCF government changed Canada. Note he was voted the Greatest Canadian over a decade ago and he is the grandfather of actor, Kiefer Sutherland,
  10. Revolution-A four part documentary on how New Zealand changed economically during the 1980s and 1990s under the Labour government of David Lange and National government of Jim Bolger.  Like his successor today, Jacinda Ardern, David Lange was an international hero in the mid 1980s for his stance against nuclear weapons.

 

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