Ignore the ultra negative reviews. This was bound to bring out the climate change deniers , flat earthers, anti vax brigade et al. So nutters aside, this an interesting although very dry recount of a hack, that produced a global storm about a world wide scientific conspiracy to falsify the evidence for global warming. The acting is solid but the story is kind of delivered in a very uninteresting way. Its worth a watch but if you think what you read on Facebook is the same as a peer reviewed scientific paper its probably not for you.
21 Reviews
Average but the bad reviews are written by climate deniers
craigbeaton19708 November 2021
Anyone with half a brain can do 5 mins research and you will see that the Professor and his science was ultimately proven correct.
He did not manipulate his data and he did not get exposed.
Those who say otherwise exist in an alternate reality.
Do your own fact check before believing the denier brigade.
He did not manipulate his data and he did not get exposed.
Those who say otherwise exist in an alternate reality.
Do your own fact check before believing the denier brigade.
lost the plot
howboutthisone_huh1 November 2021
All the elements are there so this really comes down to bad direction. If the idea is to promote action on climate change, the producers and director have done nothing except muddle things with this mishmash convoluted story. I vaguely remember when the real story broke but didn't remember the details which may be why I didn't get this film. For more than 30 mins in I had no idea what the story was about because it was just a jumble of different scenes and characters and it just made no sense and most of it was not about the main character at all, just the peripheries of the story. The main character was relegated to 1 dimensional cartoon figure constantly crying and raising his hands to his head like "The Scream" but they used so much idiotic technobabble it was hard to understand exactly what he did to deserve persecution for most of the first third of the film. Too many scenes, too much melodrama, and too many cliches, and too little relation to the main character. The acting was great; but the story direction was awful. And of course at the end there's the speech where our hero gets vindicated. But, it's interesting on one point because it's a story about a supposed conspiracy to deceive that is blamed on another conspiracy against the conspiracy but in the end, the story is about nothing much at all. Well, that is, if there was some plot of importance, they lost it. (for the record, my comments are on the film, not the topic)
Tries hard, comes up wanting
gmpontin21 October 2021
From a communications perspective, the real problem was the use of issue to push wealth redistribution
random-7077828 October 2021
While this story has merit, there is peer reviewed work out there that shows the really widespread stalling of addressing anthropomorphic aspect of climate change is not outright denial. The social science surveys and analysis show that the resistance is coming from pitching climate change solution as massive "economic justice" and wealth transfer. This especially after the massively botched Doha conference where language used in presentations and final memorandum made wealth redistribution a core aspect. In other words the exploitation of this issue and problem by certain groups who controlled the megaphone and wished to create counterproductive massive tax schemes and international bureaucracy to administer "redistribution" are the real problem in stalling progress.
This is why carbon capture and sequestration, which everyone knows will be the core solution, gets fob off by equally anti-science people in the climate change adovacy business -- because it doesn't fit with creation of giant tax bureaucracy. MIT has hundreds of people now working in their carbon capture and sequestrations project. And the top engineering universities in China, Japan and Europe all have major carbon capture programs. So unless you are going to say MIT, Princeton, Harvard, CalTech and Stanford are ant-science, don't dismiss carbon capture as the main technology that will solve this.
Denial of carbon capture is something the climate groups that want to create tax and wealth redistribution are incessantly doing. Just google: +princeton, "americans are unaware of carbon capture and sequestration technology, according to a new study"
This is why carbon capture and sequestration, which everyone knows will be the core solution, gets fob off by equally anti-science people in the climate change adovacy business -- because it doesn't fit with creation of giant tax bureaucracy. MIT has hundreds of people now working in their carbon capture and sequestrations project. And the top engineering universities in China, Japan and Europe all have major carbon capture programs. So unless you are going to say MIT, Princeton, Harvard, CalTech and Stanford are ant-science, don't dismiss carbon capture as the main technology that will solve this.
Denial of carbon capture is something the climate groups that want to create tax and wealth redistribution are incessantly doing. Just google: +princeton, "americans are unaware of carbon capture and sequestration technology, according to a new study"
The Trick
Prismark101 November 2021
Was The Trick a polemic or thriller?
On the evidence on screen, it fell between two stools and landed with a thud.
Based on the Climategate affair of 2009. Hackers broke into the computers of the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit and copied emails and documents.
It was then alleged that chief scientist, Prof Philip Jones (Jason Watkins) and his colleagues manipulated data to suggest man made climate change was more prevalent than thought.
Under pressure, receiving death threats and the prospect of his reputation in tatters. Jones has to prepare to appear in front of a House of Commons committee. He is managed by a team of PR experts.
There was nothing here that worked as a thriller. It was frankly dull and the director had to resort to showing pretty pictures of the sea, fields and a lighthouse.
As a polemic, it was too preachy. Most of the audience know that polluting the atmosphere is bad for the planet. Suggesting impending doom just turns people off especially when they are going through a real life pandemic.
On the evidence on screen, it fell between two stools and landed with a thud.
Based on the Climategate affair of 2009. Hackers broke into the computers of the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit and copied emails and documents.
It was then alleged that chief scientist, Prof Philip Jones (Jason Watkins) and his colleagues manipulated data to suggest man made climate change was more prevalent than thought.
Under pressure, receiving death threats and the prospect of his reputation in tatters. Jones has to prepare to appear in front of a House of Commons committee. He is managed by a team of PR experts.
There was nothing here that worked as a thriller. It was frankly dull and the director had to resort to showing pretty pictures of the sea, fields and a lighthouse.
As a polemic, it was too preachy. Most of the audience know that polluting the atmosphere is bad for the planet. Suggesting impending doom just turns people off especially when they are going through a real life pandemic.
An interesting story, pretty well told.
Sleepin_Dragon19 October 2021
It's a truly fascinating story, the outcomes of what happened could quite literally have changed how the world thinks and acts.
A somewhat strange choice of material for a drama, but it made a change from cop shows, and it was nice to only have to invest 90 minutes of time in a one off drama, and not the usual six weeks.
I found it a little slow, half baked perhaps the right term, it was well acted for sure, nicely produced, but I don't think they made full use of the material, until the last fifteen minutes or so.
The impacts could have been incalculable, they were hardly mentioned.
As mentioned though the acting was great, Watkins and Hamilton never disappoint.
Worth watching, but be aware it's not the usual pulse racing drama that's generally on, 7/10.
A somewhat strange choice of material for a drama, but it made a change from cop shows, and it was nice to only have to invest 90 minutes of time in a one off drama, and not the usual six weeks.
I found it a little slow, half baked perhaps the right term, it was well acted for sure, nicely produced, but I don't think they made full use of the material, until the last fifteen minutes or so.
The impacts could have been incalculable, they were hardly mentioned.
As mentioned though the acting was great, Watkins and Hamilton never disappoint.
Worth watching, but be aware it's not the usual pulse racing drama that's generally on, 7/10.
Naked propaganda from the discredited BBC.
radhrh29 October 2021
This naked propaganda, "true story" is based on the climategate scandal where thousands of hacked emails exposed the corruption at the heart of the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia. Of course this authorised BBC version paints those who exposed the malfeasance as "cyber terrorists" and the real bad actors as inocent victims. It's because the BBC can't be trusted anymore that thousands are cancelling their TV licence.
Climate Change is Real
clairedoobie16 November 2021
No surprise here. All the low score reviews are from climate change deniers. Just get with the programme you lot. Most have moved on from 'it's not happening' and 'it's a conspiracy' (why? To what end?) and now are saying 'we'll ok it is happening but what about China it's mostly/all their fault so we in the west don't need to do anything'.
But, what did you think of the film?
Several reviewers barely mentioned the film itself which makes it suspicious that they actually watched it.
I'd give it 6/10 as it's not terribly exciting though very well acted. But I've upped my score to compensate for the idiot reviews.
But, what did you think of the film?
Several reviewers barely mentioned the film itself which makes it suspicious that they actually watched it.
I'd give it 6/10 as it's not terribly exciting though very well acted. But I've upped my score to compensate for the idiot reviews.
not a particullary...
ops-5253531 October 2021
Good film , but an important film to underline the importance of eeping our planet healthy and survivable in forthseeable times and generations. Its a testament of how a scientific nerd, where bullied by the powerful and rich that runs and values planet earth on a monetary scale, always wearing their gasmask in hiding in case co and co2 levels should reach intoxicating levels, and the athmosphgeric and surface level temperatures so high and water rise so wast due to ice caps in the antartic and greenland melts due to human activity climate change, a nerd that did when every scrutinizing attempt to make disbelief, showed that human made climate change is a true factor to take seriously by mankind.
Its a film that do the turtle race towards the sea, its as slow on the plot like the common governmental reaction to the subject of climate change, and in the end you are really not sure what this film really was about other than saving a life and a reputation. The acting is not outstanding, but the main caracters wife's role did step above the rest of the average. It might for some radical tree huggers feel as a thriller but for the average tv-viewer its close to channel shift on the remote control of the tv set.
Im a grumpy old man, that has over the past 25 years collected and studied loads of meteorologic parameters from my vantage pre 2 weather station(and weather wizard, maximum weather and a massive amount of other hobbymeteorologistinstruments, even a home made tide level measuring device) and it all tells me that the rise in average temperature and a small sea level rise at my geographical standpoint here in southwest norway is a true fact. If it is humancaused i shall not delve into, just conclude that im worried about where to live in 30 years, cause the fact is my house is placed by the seashore and the storm tides creeping up the brick wall becomes higher and more frequent, so im kind of worried yes.buying land at higher level can be a good idea but as ive aid already, im old.
I do however praise the works and the guts of the professor who were ultimately right in his conclusiveness, therefore a recommend to feel and view the forthcoming desperation for generations to come.
Its a film that do the turtle race towards the sea, its as slow on the plot like the common governmental reaction to the subject of climate change, and in the end you are really not sure what this film really was about other than saving a life and a reputation. The acting is not outstanding, but the main caracters wife's role did step above the rest of the average. It might for some radical tree huggers feel as a thriller but for the average tv-viewer its close to channel shift on the remote control of the tv set.
Im a grumpy old man, that has over the past 25 years collected and studied loads of meteorologic parameters from my vantage pre 2 weather station(and weather wizard, maximum weather and a massive amount of other hobbymeteorologistinstruments, even a home made tide level measuring device) and it all tells me that the rise in average temperature and a small sea level rise at my geographical standpoint here in southwest norway is a true fact. If it is humancaused i shall not delve into, just conclude that im worried about where to live in 30 years, cause the fact is my house is placed by the seashore and the storm tides creeping up the brick wall becomes higher and more frequent, so im kind of worried yes.buying land at higher level can be a good idea but as ive aid already, im old.
I do however praise the works and the guts of the professor who were ultimately right in his conclusiveness, therefore a recommend to feel and view the forthcoming desperation for generations to come.
The sky is falling , and it is because of politics.
jonasatmosfera3 November 2021
Think about it: When was the last time that you could truly believe a politician?
Climate change studies are deeply intertwined with politics.
The IPCC is a political organization managed by politicians with agendas.
It is an intergovernmental panel, and as we all know, governments and their policies are.subordinate to ideologies. Science is usualy brushed aside whenever it conflicts with ideology.
Climate change has become a religion. It is a dogma. It is no longer a scientific question. One either accepts it or will be doomed until kingdom come. Scientific curiosity has been suprressed by the IPCC inquisitors.
Climate change studies are deeply intertwined with politics.
The IPCC is a political organization managed by politicians with agendas.
It is an intergovernmental panel, and as we all know, governments and their policies are.subordinate to ideologies. Science is usualy brushed aside whenever it conflicts with ideology.
Climate change has become a religion. It is a dogma. It is no longer a scientific question. One either accepts it or will be doomed until kingdom come. Scientific curiosity has been suprressed by the IPCC inquisitors.
Decent film.
nickredstar23 October 2021
Not Thrilling but Chilling a must see
tm-sheehan12 March 2022
My Review - The Trick
A BBC Production
My Rating 7/10
This new movie from The BBC is promoted as a thriller , sorry it's not a thriller at all .
Actually there's nothing thrilling at all about this movie the word Id use to describe it is chilling.
It's a true account of events in 2009 when Professor Phil Jones a renown Climatologist played by Jason Watkins found himself at the center of "an international media storm, and the victim of cyberterrorism" Jason Watkins is so convincing as the scientist who is suffering anxiety and not prepared to handle the media onslaught as he needs to be to defend his reputation.
"With time running out against an unseen enemy, The Trick looks at the potentially devastating consequences to humanity from climate change denial; how a media storm undermined public confidence in the science and how the concept of 'truth' took a back seat -- causing us to lose a decade of action," The film also features Victoria Hamilton, George MacKay, Jerome Flynn, Adrian Edmondson, Aneirin Hughes, Pooky Quesnel, Richard Elfyn and Rhashan Stone.
Jerome Flynn stars as Neil Wallis, a former News of the World executive and George MacKay as Sam Bowen, they have the daunting task of defending the reputation of Professor Jones and The University of East Anglia. "The film also charts the unjustified persecution of Phil Jones, his wife Ruth's support of her husband and the fight for the ultimate exoneration of himself and the science." The Trick is written by Owen Sheers and directed by Pip Broughton. Ben Irving serves as executive producer, with Adrian Bate as producer.
This film is well acted well directed with no tricks it just tells a story and an important story it's a little dull in places but so worth a look.
My Rating 7/10
This new movie from The BBC is promoted as a thriller , sorry it's not a thriller at all .
Actually there's nothing thrilling at all about this movie the word Id use to describe it is chilling.
It's a true account of events in 2009 when Professor Phil Jones a renown Climatologist played by Jason Watkins found himself at the center of "an international media storm, and the victim of cyberterrorism" Jason Watkins is so convincing as the scientist who is suffering anxiety and not prepared to handle the media onslaught as he needs to be to defend his reputation.
"With time running out against an unseen enemy, The Trick looks at the potentially devastating consequences to humanity from climate change denial; how a media storm undermined public confidence in the science and how the concept of 'truth' took a back seat -- causing us to lose a decade of action," The film also features Victoria Hamilton, George MacKay, Jerome Flynn, Adrian Edmondson, Aneirin Hughes, Pooky Quesnel, Richard Elfyn and Rhashan Stone.
Jerome Flynn stars as Neil Wallis, a former News of the World executive and George MacKay as Sam Bowen, they have the daunting task of defending the reputation of Professor Jones and The University of East Anglia. "The film also charts the unjustified persecution of Phil Jones, his wife Ruth's support of her husband and the fight for the ultimate exoneration of himself and the science." The Trick is written by Owen Sheers and directed by Pip Broughton. Ben Irving serves as executive producer, with Adrian Bate as producer.
This film is well acted well directed with no tricks it just tells a story and an important story it's a little dull in places but so worth a look.
Admirable
atrickyone24 April 2022
Admirable, that is, if you believe the fictitious tale that Jones was a victim instead of a perpetrator. The evidence is part of the public record. This is a throwback to the old days of Hollywood hagiography. As factual reportage,it's risible. The acting is good though.
Wow. Reviews are Political not scientific
thejdrage26 April 2022
I've read all the reviews and I am, once again, sadly amazed that something so important to mankind is being politicized. While I have a TON to say about that, I won't. Those "in the know" know exactly what I mean.
The MOVIE was a bit slow because the topic of the word Trick in science is NOT the same as it is in, oh say Politics!! And they explained what it means scientifically very well. They explained everything well.
And they showed how Dr. Jones and his family were affected by being attacked unfairly by the press and an unknowing, knowledgeable public.
They explained the who and whats that were benefiting from keeping knowledge of climate change quiet. Where "THEY" are going to go is another story that I would like to see.
So - was the story dull? NO WAY! Was it a thriller? Well, in a way - but we have no idea how it turned out yet! Give it 10 years, or less.
The MOVIE was a bit slow because the topic of the word Trick in science is NOT the same as it is in, oh say Politics!! And they explained what it means scientifically very well. They explained everything well.
And they showed how Dr. Jones and his family were affected by being attacked unfairly by the press and an unknowing, knowledgeable public.
They explained the who and whats that were benefiting from keeping knowledge of climate change quiet. Where "THEY" are going to go is another story that I would like to see.
So - was the story dull? NO WAY! Was it a thriller? Well, in a way - but we have no idea how it turned out yet! Give it 10 years, or less.
The Trick
jboothmillard23 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I only noticed this made-for-TV film because of its leading actor, I didn't bother to read what it was about, obviously I read about it later and it did sound like something worthwhile. Based on the true story, set in 2009, Phil Jones (Jason Watkins) is a respected world-renowned climate scientist, university professor, and Director of the Climate Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia. He has thirty years of experience in his field, but finds himself the victim of computer hacking, with the anonymous hacker publishing numerous emails indicating that Jones may have falsified data to show global warming more than reality. This "trick" causes some irreversible damage to his reputation and his work is questioned and causes a scandal for the upcoming COP15 (Conference of the Parties) in Copenhagen to discuss climate change. Scotland Yard investigate the hack itself, with lead investigator DSI Julian Gregory (Justin Salinger) treating it as seriously as a murder crime would be. Jones is also coached by a public relations firm in how best to present himself in needing to testify in front of a select committee of Parliament, which will assess if there was indeed any wrongdoing by Jones. The PR team must take into consideration whether Jones is indeed guilty of what has been purported in the email leak. Beyond the damage to his reputation, Jones and his wife Ruth (Doctor Foster's Victoria Hamilton) are having to deal with death threats received including to his family. It is resolved somehow in the end, the threat of climate change and all its negative effects are constant to this day, but Jones was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing. Also starring Jerome Flynn as Neil Wallis, 1917's George MacKay as Sam Bowen, Adrian Edmondson as Edward Acton, The World Is Not Enough's David Calder as Sir David King, Tara Divina as DS Anita Suppiah, and Rhashan Stone as Gareth Ellmann. The performances of Watkins, Hamilton and the others are fine, I don't remember anything about the "Climategate" scandal of 2009, certainly nothing about the man caught in a media storm and threatened by cyberterrorism, I was hoping for something more gripping and nervier, it is just an average conspiracy thriller. Okay!
some info but no thrills
SnoopyStyle25 July 2022
In 2009, the Climate Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia was hacked and its emails stolen. It becomes climate deniers' favorite scandal calling it Climate-gate. Leader of the unit, Phil Jones (Jason Watkins), is shattered by the overwhelming pressure. His wife Ruth (Victoria Hamilton) and others struggle to support him as he is forced to defend his research in front of the world.
I certainly know about this "scandal". I've had heated arguments in some forums about this "scandal". There is some new information for me like the claim that the hack came from America. I get that Phil Jones is important but the more compelling drama has to be the police investigation. The problem is that the case was never solved and that's not dramatic unless this show is willing to insert a fictional villain. At the end of the day, this has some interesting bits. Half the world will ignore it and despise it. The other half may or may not care. This didn't elevate the material into more than climate change.
I certainly know about this "scandal". I've had heated arguments in some forums about this "scandal". There is some new information for me like the claim that the hack came from America. I get that Phil Jones is important but the more compelling drama has to be the police investigation. The problem is that the case was never solved and that's not dramatic unless this show is willing to insert a fictional villain. At the end of the day, this has some interesting bits. Half the world will ignore it and despise it. The other half may or may not care. This didn't elevate the material into more than climate change.
A must see
Jane-179-4853907 November 2021
This is a docudrama so it both informs and entertain s through bringing to life the scandal. The hackers wrongfully denigrated the lifetime's work of the Unit for Climate Change. Consequently we are 10 years behind in the fight to save the planet. The acting is superb. It's a warning about what can happen to create a conspiracy theory. If in doubt, do watch it.
Cracking drama based on facts
john-802-3184886 February 2022
Very uncomfortable for climate deniers. Extremely well directed with excellent performances communicating the extreme pressures and confusion of such a situation.
The script also conveys the nature of what went on at the macro and micro levels very well. One of the very best docu-dramas ever made?
The script also conveys the nature of what went on at the macro and micro levels very well. One of the very best docu-dramas ever made?
Scientists Naivety used as a Climate denier weapon
mckennawilliams-5489611 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Despite the climates deniers attempts in these reviews to misrepresent the story, the dramatizes the complexity of science and how the media's attempts to simplify it distorts it. The so called 'Climategate affair' was nothing of the sort, no data was hidden it just wasn't used when it became clear that some unknown process was causing it to no longer match actual temperature readings. This is the data derived from tree ring data which up to the 1960's was a close match to actual temperature readings but from the 60's onward diverged and stopped tracking the actual temperature readings. Research in the 90's and 2000's indicate this was due human activity impacting tree growth rates (pollution, acid rain, ozone depletion amongst others). The actual issue the hacked emails revealed was not corruption but rather mismatch between scientific expectations where considerations like the balance of probabilities and lack of certainty are part of how science works and the political requirement for certainty and definite answers. This combined with the affected individuals lack of experience with dealing with the media and the public lead to innocent actions appearing to be suspicious.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
