Reg (BBC) (2016)

The UK Government and the War in Iraq

Reg is a television movie (a contemporary drama) based on a true story: the story about Reg Keys, whose son was killed in Iraq in 2003. Two years later (during the General Election of 2005) he stood as an independent anti-war candidate against Tony Blair in Blair’s own district (Sedgefield). The movie was shown on British television (BBC) and released on DVD in 2016. Here is some basic information about it:

** Director: David Blair (no relation to the former PM)
** Producers: Colin McKeown and Donna Molloy
** Writers: Jimmy McGovern and Robert Pugh
** Musical score composed by Ed Shearmur
** Run time: 89 minutes

The cast includes the following:

** Tim Roth as Reg Keys (born 1952) – Tom’s father
** Anna Maxwell Martin as Sally Keys (1953-2011) – Tom’s mother
** Elliott Tittensor as Richard Keys – Tom’s older brother - soldier
** Zac Fox as Tom Keys (1982-2003) – soldier killed in Iraq
** Ralph Brown as Bob Clay – election organizer

Since this drama is based on a true story, the basic facts are part of the public record. They are not a secret. Therefore I feel free to mention some of them here in this review.

While this drama is based on a true story, it is not a documentary film. It is a dramatized version of events. Not everything happened exactly as shown in the movie, but the basic story-line is true.

Old footage – brief clips from television news reports – is inserted into the drama from time to time. This method works well. It makes the drama more realistic, more authentic.

The movie-makers contacted Reg while the drama was still a work in progress, before the script was completed, asking him to comment on their plans. As far as I know, Reg made several suggestions and they listened to him.

The story begins in 2003 when Reg and Sally are informed that their son has been killed in Iraq. It ends with the General Election of 2005. The time frame is short: only two years, but these two years were very important; they were a crucial time for Reg and Sally.

Tom Keys was a “redcap.” He was killed in the war in Iraq on 24 June 2003, shortly before his 21st birthday. He was only 20 years old.

When Reg and Sally are informed that their son has been killed in Iraq, they are both devastated. But they respond to the situation in different ways. Sally heads for the liquor cabinet. She starts to drink. She starts to fall apart. Gradually she loses the will to live.

Reg responds in a different way. While he is devastated, he tells himself that his son died fighting for Britain, fighting for a good cause. And he tries to accept this fact. But shortly after Tom’s funeral, when Reg is told how his son died in Iraq, things begin to change.

Tom was part of a small unit consisting of six “redcaps” who were told to guard a police station in an area that was considered dangerous. Their unit had been “de-scaled,” i.e. they did not have enough equipment to defend themselves and they did not have good means of communication. When the police station was attacked by 500 armed men, the small unit did not have a chance. The British commanding officer who left the small unit in this situation made an irresponsible decision.

At first, Reg was devastated. But now his devastation turns into doubt. He begins to doubt the wisdom of the British army. How could they let something like this happen?

A few months later an official report concludes that Saddam Hussein did not have any weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Reg is stunned when he learns this fact. No WMD! But this was the reason why the British government joined the US government and went to war in Iraq. The war was based on a lie! His son died for nothing!

By now, his doubt turns into anger. Reg is angry with the British army and with the British government, specifically with Prime Minister Tony Blair who led the country into the war. Reg wants Blair to apologize to the people of Britain and he wants Blair to apologize to the families who lost their children in the war.

But no apology is forthcoming. When Reg tries to meet with Blair, he is turned away. He is told that Blair is “too busy.” Blair has no time to meet with the families who lost their children in a British war.

This is why Reg decides that he wants to take on the PM; he is going to stand against Blair in his own district. This is how he will force the PM to listen to him.

Reg is the story of a father’s quest for truth and justice. What do reviewers say about it? On IMDb it has a rating of 70 per cent, which corresponds to 3.5 stars on Amazon. If you ask me, this average rating is too low. Why?

The script is well-written and the actors play their roles well. The story is captivating, sometimes dramatic, and often highly emotional. In addition, it is based on a true story. I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars.

If you are interested in the history of the modern world – in particular the question of politics, war, and human rights – this movie is definitely something for you. Since much of this story is very sad, I cannot say you will enjoy this movie, but I do think you will be able to appreciate it.

PS # 1. If you like Reg about the British government and the war in Iraq, you may also like Body of War, a documentary film about the US government and the war in Iraq. Body of War premiered in 2007 and was released on DVD in 2008. It is produced and directed by Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro. Run time: 87 minutes.

PS # 2. The following (very detailed and very informative) articles are available online:

** Lucy Mangan, “Reg review – an extraordinary portrait of the man who took on Tony Blair,” the Guardian, 7 June 2017

** Margarette Driscoll, “Reg Keys, whose son was killed in the Iraq war, on Chilcot, losing his wife before the verdict – and finding love,” the Telegraph, 6 July 2016.

*****

Reg Keys giving a speech during the General Election of 2005

(behind him Prime Minister Tony Blair)

*****