Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20400 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-02-20
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 325 minutes

Synopsis
McDonald's loved using the UK libel laws to suppress criticism. Major media organisations like the BBC and The Guardian crumbled and apologised. But then they sued gardener Helen Steel and postman Dave Morris. In the longest trial in English legal history, the "McLibel Two" represented themselves against McDonald's £10 million legal team. Every aspect of the corporation's business was cross-examined: from junk food and McJobs, to animal cruelty, environmental damage and advertising to children. Outside the courtroom, Dave brought up his young son alone and Helen supported herself working nights in a bar. McDonald's tried every trick in the book against them. Legal manoeuvres. A visit from Ronald McDonald. Top executives flying to London for secret settlement negotiations. Even spies. Seven years later, in February 2005, the marathon legal battle finally concluded at the European Court of Human Rights. And the result took everyone by surprise - especially the British Government. McLibel is not just about hamburgers. It is about the importance of freedom of speech now that multinational corporations are more powerful than countries. Filmed over ten years by no-budget Director Franny Armstrong, McLibel is the David and Goliath story of two people who refused to say sorry. And in doing so, changed the world.

Synopsis
In February 2005, the longest civil or criminal case in English legal history finally came to a close. The case saw two political activists, Helen Steel and Dave Morris, on trial for leaflets they had distributed in the 1980s, which made several claims against the McDonalds fast food Corporation. Among the angry protestations they flung at McDonalds were accusations of low wages for staff and poor treatment towards the animals used by the business. As McDonalds prepared a legal assault on the couple that is estimated to have cost nineteen million U.S. Dollars, the penniless Steel and Morris endlessly poured over legal papers and law books, and decided to represent themselves in court. After 313 days spent tirelessly fighting their corner and ceaselessly pointing out the archaic nature of Britain's libel laws, a verdict was reached. Fortunately director Franny Armstrong caught 10 years worth of the 'McLibel' trial on film, and has edited it into an absorbing documentary on the case. Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Loach has also contributed by directing some reconstructions of the key courtroom battles. Armstrong's film manages to capture all the highs and lows felt by Steel and Morris as they refuse to let go of their principals while facing a deluge of intimidating manoeuvres from the McDonalds team. But 'McLibel' also demonstrates how large corporations can be humbled, and as the case winds to its surprising conclusion, Armstrong perfectly captures the mood of both teams as legal history is made.

Customer Reviews

A seriously interesting DVD!
For those of you who like documentary style DVDs' then this is one to watch. Two people Helen Steel and Dave Morris were distributing leaflets outside a McDonalds in the 1980's, which critiscised company working practises and environmental degredation. Suddenly they found themselves sued for libel by the instantly world recognisable McDonalds Corporation itself.

Consider the David and Goliath scenario! Two ordinary members of the public, not allowed legal aid, and with no legal experience, thereby forced to defend themselves. Against them was set the full might of the McDonalds corporation able to afford whole teams of lawyers to put the opposing side of the argument.

The trial originally estimated to last not more than 3 to 4 weeks, soon rolled into years and become the longest in English legal history.

I took great heart in viewing this DVD because it shows how individuals really can make a difference when they refuse to back down against seemingly insurmountable odds and believe that what they are doing is right.

There are two DVDs in this issue with considerable overlapping of the material. However the second one is updated with the ruling from the European Court of Human Rights in 2005. On the first DVD covering the court case in 1997, there is generous additional material including press conferences and interviews with key individuals (well worth watching) who are part of the story as well as a clever re-enactment of many of the court scenes using original transcripts. The DVDs follow the highs and lows of the McLibel Two in such a way it makes you feel you are there with them. That is what I liked most about this DVD - and the way it was made on a shoestring. However it only gets 4 stars because there was slightly too much overlapping material - like watching the same program twice.

The Power of Persistance!
Having followed this battle from affar for many years, I found this docu-film a fantastic decade crosser!

McDonalds in recent years have quite visually made changes to their image and menu. In my opinion much of this has been due to the actions of London Greenpeace. Whilst it is easy to overlook the dated stats and data of the film, it is without a doubt a story of Goliath and David proportions. David of course is victourious!!!

Any down in the mouth "antagonists of the state" should watch this as part of a relaxing evening. Then, when re-inspired get out there and kick the systems arse, through whatever medium is your choice :)

inspiring stuff
enter here all who have given up and see that there is still hope, two weedy, lovable and very kindly folk take on the big CORPORATION and win.
top stuff, educational, funny, witty, inspiring,and, most important of all 100% true , no artificial additives, whiter than white bleach or super size Mc spin.