National Treasure (2016)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Treasure – a miniseries in four parts – is a contemporary drama which premiered on British television (Channel 4) in 2016.

 

Here is some basic information about this drama:

 

** Director: Marc Munden

** Writer: Jack Thorne

** Available via Amazon Prime Video

** Run time: 4 x ca. 48 minutes = ca. 192 minutes

 

While this drama is fictional, it is inspired by real events, specifically Operation Yewtree, a police investigation of sexual misconduct by British celebrities (2012-2015). 

 

You can Google the name of the operation to find more details.

 

Most of the story is set in the present (ca. 2015). But there are some flashbacks to the past (the 1990s). This is why I have divided the cast into two groups:

 

# 1. The present = ca. 2015

** Robbie Coltrane as Paul Finchley – a famous and popular television comedian and entertainer

** Julie Walters as Marie Finchley – Paul’s wife

** Andrea Riseborough as Danielle “Dee” Finchley – Paul and Marie’s daughter

** Tim McInnerny as Karl Jenkins – Paul’s comedy partner

** Kate Hardie as Rebecca Thornton – an alleged victim

 

# 2. The past = the 1990s

** Trystan Gravelle as young Paul

** Lucy Speed as young Marie

** Cara Barton as young Dee

** Ed Eales White as young Karl

** Sarah Middleton as young Rebecca

 

I do not wish to spoil the viewing for anyone. Therefore, I am not going to say too much about what happens in this drama. I will merely tell you how it begins, so you understand what it is all about.

 

Paul Finchley is a television comedian and entertainer who is in his 60s. He is famous and popular. He is almost a national treasure. Hence the title of the drama.

 

But one day his life is shattered: he is accused of having committed a crime more than twenty years in the past, when he was in his 40s.

 

What is the crime? He is accused of rape and sexual assault against a teenager who was only 15 at the time (1993).

 

Paul denies the accusation.

 

He says he never did anything wrong.

 

But the case is investigated by the police. And based on the investigation the CPS decides to charge Paul. The case is tried in a court of law. The case is also widely covered by the national media.

 

In this drama, we follow the development of the case. We see how it affects Paul and the people around him.

 

This is how the drama begins and this is where my presentation ends. If you want to know what happens to Paul and the people around him, you will have to watch the drama all the way to the end.

 

What do reviewers say about this drama?

 

Here are the results of three review aggregators:

 

74 per cent = IMDb

81 per cent = Meta

89 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes (the audience)

97 percent = Rotten Tomatoes (the critics)

 

The ratings are quite good, as you can see. I understand the numerous positive reviews and I agree with most of them. Some reviewers say they like the drama but complain about the ending. I understand this point. I feel the same way.

 

This drama is good, but not great. This is why I think it deserves a rating of four stars (80 percent).

 

PS. Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story is a documentary film in two parts which premiered on Netflix in 2022.

 

This film covers the life and career of the British television celebrity Jimmy Savile, his history of committing sexual abuse, as well as the scandal which occurred after his death in 2011, when numerous complaints were made about his behaviour.

 

*****

National Treasure

A contemporary drama in four parts

(Channel 4)

(2016)

 

*****