McLibel

Review by James Anthony

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Just when you thought the bad publicity for that Scottish takeaway food joint - you know, McDonald's - couldn't get worse than Super Size Me, along comes McLibel.

Now McLibel isn't as fresh as the takeaway food outlet's burgers, but it is one hell of a lot tastier.

It follows a libel case brought by McDonald's against a couple of English folk - Helen Steel and Dave Morris - who dared hand out pamphlets urging people not to buy, or eat, McDonald's.

Now it is true that in the leaflets were some scurrilous allegations - such as Maccas was harming the environment and being cruel to animals, as well as putting out un-nutrional eatibles, false advertising and being mean to its employees.

To lead the way into legal battle Maccas employed QCs, barristers and legal big wigs galore. The two defendants - penniless folk - had to carry their own case.

If you are unaware, the McLibel case became Britain's longest running court battle and cost the company a lot of money to fight.

45,000 pages of documents, hear tales of spies, secret meetings and how Ronald McDonald is used.

In the end ... well, you'll just have to watch McLibel to find out.

This is a terrific 55-minute doco on a David-versus-Goliath-on-steroids and does not necessarily paint the attitudes of the Maccas chiefs in a good light.

Conclusion: Movie 85% Extras: 40%.

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