Taking Liberties (2008)

Taking Liberties Written and directed by Chris Atkins, Taking Liberties is a shocking documentary in the tradition of Bowling for Columbine. A film that examines how our freedoms and ‘liberties’ introduced into British law by Winston Churchill in 1950 are being threatened like never before due to the increased security measures introduced by New Labour both before and after 9-11. This makes for a gripping DVD that could affect how you vote in the next election. Back in 1997, when Tony Blair came to power, he could do no wrong. ‘Teflon Tony’ rode high in the polls after leading New Labour to a landslide victory at a general election that was to cripple the Tory party for the best part of a decade. But in 2007, Tony Blair left office with some of the lowest opinion poll ratings of a Prime Minister in modern times. Tony Blair will have even fewer fans if people watch this well researched documentary from filmmaker Chris Atkins. Through the course of this film, it is revealed that over the last ten years, the British government has taken away many of the civil rights and liberties that have been enshrined in the constitution of this country for much of the past 800 years and passed into law by Winston Churchill in the fifties. Atkins gathers together a range of victims of the new anti-terror laws introduced both before and since 9-11. He shows how the authorities have misused the new powers granted to them and how the government now threatens everything from trial by jury to freedom of speech. Interviewing a diverse group of people – from students who are held after peacefully protesting on a roadside to grandmothers who are held after getting too close to an American base; through to a vicar who is arrested for holding a service at an airport. In the course of 90 minutes, Atkins reveals that many of the rights that we take for granted are threatened like never before. Keeping everything fast, funny and furious – almost trademarked Michael Moore; Atkins keeps this documentary accessible for both those interested in politics and for those who just want an interesting film to watch at home. The result is a compelling but highly disturbing documentary that is sure to change how you see the Britain of today. From a British perspective, this is quite possibly one of the most important films that you will ever see and, unlike the controversy that surrounds Al Gore’s excellent environmental movie An Inconvenient Truth (of which I am a fan), it is completely and unquestionably truthful in its statements – which makes it all the more worrying. If you’re British, this is one of those films that could change how you see the world forever. Add to your list now.

Ashley Jensen ... Narrator David Morrissey ... Narrator
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