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DVD Description
As war rages in Africa, it’s hand to hand combat in the battle to get the lead story on the Ten O’Clock News.
After years of conflict, the civil war in the African nation of Karibu comes under the fickle spotlight of the Western media. The corrupt President Kubwasana will now be featured nightly, at least until there is a better story elsewhere…
For Harry Chambers, the local BBC stringer, it’s his big break. That is until the London newsroom despatches its own team, led by the BBC’s egotistical foreign editor David Bradburn (Martin Jarvis). Joining David’s team is the hard-nosed, long suffering producer Jane (Doon Mackichan) who has the near impossible job of organising David, the cameramen Jack and Rory, irritably-bowelled Margaret from the World Service, and some friendly locals. If only all would go to plan then they’d be on for the best story of their lives.
Of course, there are a few minor obstacles: the desperately uninterested London desk producers; all-action American star reporter, Candida Colter; the BBC’s Brussels’ Correspondent who’s muscling in on their story, and the small matter of people shooting at you in a strange country!
Written and produced by experienced, award winning journalists and including cameo appearances from Mackenzie Crook, Rub Wax and real BBC News anchors.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2.4 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Anamorphic Widescreen, Deleted Scenes, Featurette, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: As war rages in Africa, it's hand to hand combat in the battle to get the lead story on the Ten O'Clock News. After years of conflict, the civil war in the African nation of Karibu comes under the fickle spotlight of the Western media. The corrupt President Kubwasana will now be featured nightly, at least until there is a better story elsewhere. For Harry Chambers, the local BBC stringer, it's his big break. That is until the London newsroom despatches its own team, led by the BBC's egotistical foreign editor David Bradburn (Martin Jarvis). Joining David's team is the hard-nosed, long suffering producer Jane (Doon Mackichan) who has the near impossible job of organising David, the cameramen Jack and Rory, irritably-bowelled Margaret from the World Service, and some friendly locals. If only all would go to plan then they'd be on for the best story of their lives. Of course, there are a few minor obstacles: the desperately uninterested London desk producers; all-action American star reporter, Candida Colter; the BBC's Brussels Correspondent who's muscling in on their story, and the small matter of people shooting at you in a strange country! Written and produced by experienced, award winning journalists and including cameo appearances from Mackenzie Crook, Ruby Wax and real BBC News anchors. ...Taking the Flak - Season One - 2-DVD Set ( Taking the Flak - Season 1 )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
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...
(Added in November 2010) I recently re-read Kate Adie's professional autobiography "The Kindness of Strangers" and no longer doubt for one minute that Taking the Flak is based in reality!
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...
(Added in November 2010) I recently re-read Kate Adie's professional autobiography "The Kindness of Strangers" and no longer doubt for one minute that Taking the Flak is based in reality!
Great viewing, you almost feel what you are watching is live and happening, then you laugh long and hard. Hadn't seen it before so was happy to watch something that was very entertaining. Have a feeling that at times reporting the news may in fact be quite like this.
Excellent. One of the funniest comedy dramas I have seen. Lots of in jokes but not too obscure to get an inkling. Suspect it is very close to the real thing in many ways. Highly recommended.
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