John Pilger: Reporting The World

John Pilger is one of the UK's most well-known and respected journalists, authors and documentary makers. His approach is a factual one and as such he seems to be able to find a way behind the façade of his subject and get to the heart of the matter.

This three-disc set is from the filmmaker’s mid-late 1970s period and as such will really only appeal to someone who has an interest in that era and the historical subject mater that it spawned. That’s not to say the featured 15 shows are not watchable and involving - they offer a glimpse of a world that is far removed from the one we live in today and as such makes for riveting viewing at times. Some of the subjects have aged more than others - the welfare state, factory workers lives, the NHS, and British law have moved on somewhat (some more than others) - whilst hunger, famine and racism are issues we unfortunately still recognise today.

This is a mixed bag of documentaries and will undoubtedly please fans of Pilger’s work. Casual viewers will enjoy some more than others, but this set does present a laid-back filmmaker at his best and present a hard-hitting message even today.

Extras: None.

Released on 9th June 2008 by Network.

Written by Phil Allely.