I've read so many negative reviews about this episode based on the impossibility of the whole plot to happen in real life, that it makes me want to leave this world, just like the kidnapper did. Because it shows that people don't get the many points this story makes, beyond its plausibility. For me, the most important statement is that the whole country and probably the whole world stops, freezes, just to watch the British PM have sex with a pig on live television. As tensions builds up towards the deadline, people get more and more excited realizing it's really going to happen and they will get to watch it live! The princess is secondary for the crowd, they just want to grab a pint and enjoy the show. But then, the show is so awful everybody is ashamed, hopefully of themselves. Bottom line, we rather have a beer and watch the British PM have sex with a pig on live TV than do something for ourselves. Also, there's the PM. He is ultimately portrayed as just a public employee at the kingdom's service, forced to perform the act, even threatened with his life and his family's if he doesn't (as made clear by the same adviser he almost hit when he still thought he had power). All the power he apparently has vanishes as it becomes Clare that every effort they make to stop the kidnapper fails. He's just the frontman and after he completes the task he saves the princess (for the people's eyes) and becomes a hero, so he can continue to be the frontman (or the puppet?) There's as well the thing about sex. It gets everybody's attention, no matter if it's a pig or the PM or the journalist sending nude pics to the guy who can (and does) give her info in return. And finally there's the media. Social media blends with traditional media to guide people's thoughts about what the PM should do. In the end, after everyone has tweeted, retweeted, mentioned, listened to "experts" on news channels, got the latest poll results, everybody wants the show to happen and everybody watches it on live TV. I believe these are the main statements the kidnapper wants to prove and by doing so he realizes how rotten society is. It's a very twisted way to make a point but it does perfectly.
173 Reviews
The psych of a human
tibidor24 September 2017
Well it's astonishing all the negative review. And yet they watched it all to the end. And that's what this episode is about. We humans feel drawn to the forbidden, the unspeakable. And this episode just showed that. It's not a masterpiece of filming. But the story catches the humane nature perfectly. What happens when you pass an accident? yea right...you don't look??? seriously? We all look and try to get a glimpse. We just can't help ourselves. We are a race with a high curiosity level.
So in that respect... it is an episode to look deep down in ourselves and find out if we can be honest with ourselves.
So in that respect... it is an episode to look deep down in ourselves and find out if we can be honest with ourselves.
Don't Negotiate with Terrorists
RMcD9430 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
As with all terrorist demands this is exactly the same as the rest. You do not negotiate with terrorists, doing so encourages people to capture more princesses because they know it'll work. Incentivizing that is really dumb, I assume it's meant to be a comedy but none of it was very funny.
As well the fact that he has absolutely no control of his cabinet doesn't seem to me that he's a very good Prime Minister so I am not surprised that he was literally blackmailed into doing it.
Doing things based on public opinion makes sense if he wants to keep his job but it's just absolutely dumb.
The princess wasn't a very good actor and I didn't find it believable at all in that sense. News people telling someone to run from the police is incredibly stupid.
There was also the really stupid tracing and stuff, especially surprising because a painter is not exactly a criminal genius and it wasn't explained at all how he managed to capture her in the first place (which is really more important than anything). Also amazingly 86% no one thought of the children live TV on every station in the world.
Overall a very confusing pilot, it wants to be funny but it's not, it wants to be dramatic but makes no sense, it wants to be high quality but has atrocious acting. Maybe I've misunderstood what it wanted but it seems it failed at everything.
As well the fact that he has absolutely no control of his cabinet doesn't seem to me that he's a very good Prime Minister so I am not surprised that he was literally blackmailed into doing it.
Doing things based on public opinion makes sense if he wants to keep his job but it's just absolutely dumb.
The princess wasn't a very good actor and I didn't find it believable at all in that sense. News people telling someone to run from the police is incredibly stupid.
There was also the really stupid tracing and stuff, especially surprising because a painter is not exactly a criminal genius and it wasn't explained at all how he managed to capture her in the first place (which is really more important than anything). Also amazingly 86% no one thought of the children live TV on every station in the world.
Overall a very confusing pilot, it wants to be funny but it's not, it wants to be dramatic but makes no sense, it wants to be high quality but has atrocious acting. Maybe I've misunderstood what it wanted but it seems it failed at everything.
A work of conceptual art
cnoguera-515-20587815 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
In one word: brilliant. Of course, I've been completely shocked, from head to toe, from the first scene till the end.
Clearly, the intention of the episode (don't know about the series as a whole yet) is to make a point, a very bold one. It's like these famous pieces of contemporary art that only the initiated appreciate and the general public despise because they just don't get the point. I mean stuff like Duchamp turning a urinal upside down and placing it in a museum (Dadaism) or Malevich painting a completely black square (Suprematism), just two mention two famous examples. The point of such pieces is, of course, to provoke the audience with something that, albeit apparently completely nonsensical (and indeed the majority will be just outraged and claim that it's not art but a fraud), will nonetheless kick-start a very valuable reflection for the few who are ready and sensitive enough to understand it.
In my view, the episode I've just seen belongs to this category. It's certainly not pleasurable to watch, it's disgusting, outrageous, appalling, far beyond the limits of good taste, disrespectful with any generic conventions, etc. But it is the vehicle to communicate something important, to force a valuable reflection on the audience and make bold point. The reflection here is, on a first level, the one revolving around the tragic dilemma the PM faces in that unlikely situation. Should he f**k a pig on TV to save the princess life? The fictional audience, population, users of internet and social networks, UK voters, also face the dilemma, and so we, the real audience, do. What should the PM do in such situation? What do you prefer? Do you want him to save the princess? Do you want him to humiliate himself and by extension the whole country to satisfy the deranged mind of the kidnapper and hope to save the girl? This is the superficial level, but the important question underlies that: what do value more, our dignity and integrity as a free society or the life of one particular girl (a member of the royal family, but, after all, just one girl)? In a very competent manner, the episode develops the absurd premise and, with internal consistency, shows the evolution of the reaction to those poignant questions in the narrow margin of a few hours. And the result is appalling: the people prefer the humiliation. Why? Is it because they value the life of the princess over anything else? Or rather there is a profound disrespect towards their own elected PM, whom they'd love to see publicly degraded to no end? Isn't that a sign of a profound disrespect towards themselves and their own society and values? Look at the utterly sad, disgusted, faces we can see on the fictional audience after the hideous act has been performed in front of their eyes. Isn't that a clear hint to the fact that they eventually realize what has just happened? Isn't that the face of a sick defeated society? This is possibly the point of the episode. And these questions are (at least part of) the interesting reflection we are invited to perform. I have not doubts as to what my personal ethics would dictate in such dilemmas: dignity and freedom are values superior to life itself.
It adds up to the brilliance of the whole thing, the nice self-reference we encounter when we understand that the fictional kidnapper is, actually, an avant-garde artist that wanted to make a point (and didn't even need to live to contemplate the completion of its own creation), the very same point (though fortunately not really enacted) the episode does on the meta-level. Reading between the lines, I think that the crazy artist would have never killed the princess in case his demands were not met (he didn't even cut her finger, but his own), rendering the degradation of the PM and his society completely futile. He probably kills himself when he realizes that such society is indeed as sick as he feared.
Clearly, the intention of the episode (don't know about the series as a whole yet) is to make a point, a very bold one. It's like these famous pieces of contemporary art that only the initiated appreciate and the general public despise because they just don't get the point. I mean stuff like Duchamp turning a urinal upside down and placing it in a museum (Dadaism) or Malevich painting a completely black square (Suprematism), just two mention two famous examples. The point of such pieces is, of course, to provoke the audience with something that, albeit apparently completely nonsensical (and indeed the majority will be just outraged and claim that it's not art but a fraud), will nonetheless kick-start a very valuable reflection for the few who are ready and sensitive enough to understand it.
In my view, the episode I've just seen belongs to this category. It's certainly not pleasurable to watch, it's disgusting, outrageous, appalling, far beyond the limits of good taste, disrespectful with any generic conventions, etc. But it is the vehicle to communicate something important, to force a valuable reflection on the audience and make bold point. The reflection here is, on a first level, the one revolving around the tragic dilemma the PM faces in that unlikely situation. Should he f**k a pig on TV to save the princess life? The fictional audience, population, users of internet and social networks, UK voters, also face the dilemma, and so we, the real audience, do. What should the PM do in such situation? What do you prefer? Do you want him to save the princess? Do you want him to humiliate himself and by extension the whole country to satisfy the deranged mind of the kidnapper and hope to save the girl? This is the superficial level, but the important question underlies that: what do value more, our dignity and integrity as a free society or the life of one particular girl (a member of the royal family, but, after all, just one girl)? In a very competent manner, the episode develops the absurd premise and, with internal consistency, shows the evolution of the reaction to those poignant questions in the narrow margin of a few hours. And the result is appalling: the people prefer the humiliation. Why? Is it because they value the life of the princess over anything else? Or rather there is a profound disrespect towards their own elected PM, whom they'd love to see publicly degraded to no end? Isn't that a sign of a profound disrespect towards themselves and their own society and values? Look at the utterly sad, disgusted, faces we can see on the fictional audience after the hideous act has been performed in front of their eyes. Isn't that a clear hint to the fact that they eventually realize what has just happened? Isn't that the face of a sick defeated society? This is possibly the point of the episode. And these questions are (at least part of) the interesting reflection we are invited to perform. I have not doubts as to what my personal ethics would dictate in such dilemmas: dignity and freedom are values superior to life itself.
It adds up to the brilliance of the whole thing, the nice self-reference we encounter when we understand that the fictional kidnapper is, actually, an avant-garde artist that wanted to make a point (and didn't even need to live to contemplate the completion of its own creation), the very same point (though fortunately not really enacted) the episode does on the meta-level. Reading between the lines, I think that the crazy artist would have never killed the princess in case his demands were not met (he didn't even cut her finger, but his own), rendering the degradation of the PM and his society completely futile. He probably kills himself when he realizes that such society is indeed as sick as he feared.
A brilliant satire about human psyche
Ansango9 May 2018
I can see why people are so pissed of with this episode? I get it. But giving 1 and 2 star to this episode is far from acceptable. There is a detestation club running on for this episode, sorely for the purpose of diminishing its rating.
While the core idea might seem implausible, its presented in such a neat way that it starts to look feasible. The narrative is very good, and most of the performances are also decent. The screenplay is clever and satirises sharply on obsession of technology and its ill effects.
With such type of preposterous idea the episode could have easily turned into an awful course, but deft direction makes sure that it's on point and stays witty and perspicacious. Yeah, the climax was a bit disappointing as the motive is not much very much compelling, but from the narrative and thematic point of view, it makes sense. The whole idea is to test whether a population would like to watch such an indecent act or not. And surprisingly, they do. That's what the whole point of the artist to show our obsession with technology and public figures. It also explores the fragility of society's mindset under such huge threats.
So, overall a very unique idea explored in an incandescent manner. A nice watch...
While the core idea might seem implausible, its presented in such a neat way that it starts to look feasible. The narrative is very good, and most of the performances are also decent. The screenplay is clever and satirises sharply on obsession of technology and its ill effects.
With such type of preposterous idea the episode could have easily turned into an awful course, but deft direction makes sure that it's on point and stays witty and perspicacious. Yeah, the climax was a bit disappointing as the motive is not much very much compelling, but from the narrative and thematic point of view, it makes sense. The whole idea is to test whether a population would like to watch such an indecent act or not. And surprisingly, they do. That's what the whole point of the artist to show our obsession with technology and public figures. It also explores the fragility of society's mindset under such huge threats.
So, overall a very unique idea explored in an incandescent manner. A nice watch...
Thought provoking and emotional. Great performances.
Chiffmonkey4 December 2011
BC UK, quite clearly you're not one for viewing between the lines. The point of this film is not it's plot but it's implications for just how plausible this event is, and just how little privacy or control of information we have these days. It's an 'open your eyes' kind of film.
Superb acting, writing and camera-work. The choice of people to show as 'joe average's were well thought out and don't seem clichéd. Also the setup is genius in it's simplicity. Genuinely thought provoking TV.
My only criticism is of the ending which I think should have ended with the 'twist' regarding the kidnap, with the reaction from the PM's wife put beforehand. Then again I don't know how that could make chronological sense.
Superb acting, writing and camera-work. The choice of people to show as 'joe average's were well thought out and don't seem clichéd. Also the setup is genius in it's simplicity. Genuinely thought provoking TV.
My only criticism is of the ending which I think should have ended with the 'twist' regarding the kidnap, with the reaction from the PM's wife put beforehand. Then again I don't know how that could make chronological sense.
Bravo: Thought provoking
atdannykim13 March 2018
This is my opinion. Black Mirror is not for everyone.
The National Anthem was a great start for the series. Without any expectations, I was completely shocked by the unique story.
To get straight to the point however, I really appreciated how this episode put sneaky emphasis on the human condition. Despite all the chaotic scenes between the main characters, the main focus- to me- was the fictional audience that gathered and anticipated for the shame and cruelty. That was the punch of the episode. It makes you walk away from the t.v. and ponder on how we as a whole really are wicked.
Sure, I aim to be entertained. But it's a rare feeling to look at the world in a different perspective after a show. Black Mirror does just that. I recommend if you have time, keep watching!
The National Anthem was a great start for the series. Without any expectations, I was completely shocked by the unique story.
To get straight to the point however, I really appreciated how this episode put sneaky emphasis on the human condition. Despite all the chaotic scenes between the main characters, the main focus- to me- was the fictional audience that gathered and anticipated for the shame and cruelty. That was the punch of the episode. It makes you walk away from the t.v. and ponder on how we as a whole really are wicked.
Sure, I aim to be entertained. But it's a rare feeling to look at the world in a different perspective after a show. Black Mirror does just that. I recommend if you have time, keep watching!
An attention-grabber first episode
dierregi12 February 2018
I would not go as far as writing that I "liked" this episode, but for sure it attracted my attention.
It works very well as a critique of a media-obsessed world, populated by hypocrites and voyeurs.
It also strikes very close to our present situation and due to its dark nature, it is distubing. Likable, not so much, but definitely attention-grabbing.
It works very well as a critique of a media-obsessed world, populated by hypocrites and voyeurs.
It also strikes very close to our present situation and due to its dark nature, it is distubing. Likable, not so much, but definitely attention-grabbing.
Unfortunately got me hooked
debugitsolutions20 February 2018
Sadly is one of the very few great episodes in these series.
But don't get worked up cause what you get in this episode will get only 2-3 times in the next 18 episodes as of 2018.
Moral questions, today's sad world, plot twist, social and news media critic, this episode got everything and delivers it with great cinematography, acting, photography, script and much more
The National Anthem
scottsetchell17 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Updated Review - 10/1/2023
Four years later on a third viewing, The National Anthem is better than I remembered it to be.
The social commentary stood out more to me this time around. A year later, the Prime Minister still deals with the consequences of the disgusting act he performed. It's revealed that the incident was a created by a Turner Prize-winning visual artist and critics were describing the incident as the first great artwork of the 21st century. Nobody forgot about the live feed but instead was picked apart and analyzed beyond what the video displayed. A grand distraction was created for a greater purpose which would eventually be recognized as a great feat in artistic expression.
Although I don't disagree with my suggestion for new viewers to save this one for later, it does succeed in setting a dreadful tone for the series as a whole. The plot in general might be the weak spot, but Rory Kinnear as the Prime Minister, Otto Bathurst's directing and the greater subtext elevate this episode to better than average.
7/10
.
.
.
Review from 4/17/2019
The Prime Minister is woken up in the middle of the night to find out Princess Susannah has been kidnapped. In her ransom video, the kidnappers demand he broadcast a video of himself having sex with a pig on live TV in exchange for her release.
This episode isn't futuristic, but it shows the power of social media and the internet. The ransom video spreads like wildfire despite being removed 9 minutes after it was uploaded. The public opinion is broadcasted on the news as the polls sway. The faces of the public watching are shocked and disgusted yet they can't look away.
Since Black Mirror episodes are individual stories, I recommend skipping S1Ep1 if you're new to the series, come back to it later. It doesn't do the show justice overall and could turn off first time viewers. It's a disturbing thriller with a twist.
5/10.
Four years later on a third viewing, The National Anthem is better than I remembered it to be.
The social commentary stood out more to me this time around. A year later, the Prime Minister still deals with the consequences of the disgusting act he performed. It's revealed that the incident was a created by a Turner Prize-winning visual artist and critics were describing the incident as the first great artwork of the 21st century. Nobody forgot about the live feed but instead was picked apart and analyzed beyond what the video displayed. A grand distraction was created for a greater purpose which would eventually be recognized as a great feat in artistic expression.
Although I don't disagree with my suggestion for new viewers to save this one for later, it does succeed in setting a dreadful tone for the series as a whole. The plot in general might be the weak spot, but Rory Kinnear as the Prime Minister, Otto Bathurst's directing and the greater subtext elevate this episode to better than average.
7/10
.
.
.
Review from 4/17/2019
The Prime Minister is woken up in the middle of the night to find out Princess Susannah has been kidnapped. In her ransom video, the kidnappers demand he broadcast a video of himself having sex with a pig on live TV in exchange for her release.
This episode isn't futuristic, but it shows the power of social media and the internet. The ransom video spreads like wildfire despite being removed 9 minutes after it was uploaded. The public opinion is broadcasted on the news as the polls sway. The faces of the public watching are shocked and disgusted yet they can't look away.
Since Black Mirror episodes are individual stories, I recommend skipping S1Ep1 if you're new to the series, come back to it later. It doesn't do the show justice overall and could turn off first time viewers. It's a disturbing thriller with a twist.
5/10.
An interesting study on the human psyche and the media.
sullivanhummel28 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this episode expecting it to be as bad as all the reviews said it was. I was expecting a disturbing spectacle. What I got was a very obvious commentary on how the media ruins lives.
The PM has a choice. Comply with the kidnapper's demands, or don't and risk the life of a young Princess. When the episode starts, people think that the video is faked. Obviously the PM shouldn't comply with such a heinous act.
But public opinion shifts when a severed finger is mailed to the news room. The stakes are higher now, people want her freed from real danger. And with the pressure of the public against him, PM complies, damaging his relationship with his wife despite public opinion of him changing yet again. By the end, things are back to normal for the most part, but not quite.
This episode depicts how social media and news construe a society where your fate is decided by the masses. A billion people tuning into the PM having indecent acts with a pig, it truly tells you how sick humans really are. Because it doesn't affect us, we're just on the outside looking in, we don't have to think about the long-term ramifications until it's all said and done.
I liked this episode. It wasn't my favorite thing to watch, but it got me thinking.
The PM has a choice. Comply with the kidnapper's demands, or don't and risk the life of a young Princess. When the episode starts, people think that the video is faked. Obviously the PM shouldn't comply with such a heinous act.
But public opinion shifts when a severed finger is mailed to the news room. The stakes are higher now, people want her freed from real danger. And with the pressure of the public against him, PM complies, damaging his relationship with his wife despite public opinion of him changing yet again. By the end, things are back to normal for the most part, but not quite.
This episode depicts how social media and news construe a society where your fate is decided by the masses. A billion people tuning into the PM having indecent acts with a pig, it truly tells you how sick humans really are. Because it doesn't affect us, we're just on the outside looking in, we don't have to think about the long-term ramifications until it's all said and done.
I liked this episode. It wasn't my favorite thing to watch, but it got me thinking.
Unpleasant and pointless
stwmby9 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I have loved some Black Mirror episodes, laughed at others, and been mesmerised and shocked by some. The common denominator though is that every one I have seen has enthralled me.
And then I watched The National Anthem.
Before I go on I should point out that the British Government has a long standing non-compliance standpoint in regard to ransom demands, and they absolutely would not allow the Prime Minister to become involved in a situation as depicted in this film: So the basic premise of this story falls at the first hurdle.
Moving on to the show itself, the way the press are shown - with a journalist taking pornographic selfies in a toilet in exchange for information is frankly ridiculous, the acting is ropey - with Roy Kinnear's son hopelessly miscast as the Prime Minister, and the kidnapped princess not much better (incidentally, why did forensics take so long to realise the severed finger wasn't that of a young slim princess but instead that of a middle aged male carpenter?!)
This is a nasty voyeuristic and pointless story, part of the excellence of the Black Mirror series is that it bears relevance to the modern world - indeed a Shape Of Things To Come - this tawdry mess does nothing other than attempt to shock.
I have loved every minute of Black Mirror; this episode however taints the whole series.
And then I watched The National Anthem.
Before I go on I should point out that the British Government has a long standing non-compliance standpoint in regard to ransom demands, and they absolutely would not allow the Prime Minister to become involved in a situation as depicted in this film: So the basic premise of this story falls at the first hurdle.
Moving on to the show itself, the way the press are shown - with a journalist taking pornographic selfies in a toilet in exchange for information is frankly ridiculous, the acting is ropey - with Roy Kinnear's son hopelessly miscast as the Prime Minister, and the kidnapped princess not much better (incidentally, why did forensics take so long to realise the severed finger wasn't that of a young slim princess but instead that of a middle aged male carpenter?!)
This is a nasty voyeuristic and pointless story, part of the excellence of the Black Mirror series is that it bears relevance to the modern world - indeed a Shape Of Things To Come - this tawdry mess does nothing other than attempt to shock.
I have loved every minute of Black Mirror; this episode however taints the whole series.
National Anthem: Darkly comic, thrillingly real and soberingly honest
bob the moo15 June 2013
Although I love Charlie Brooker and heard nothing but good things about this show, it took me well over a year to get around to watching it. Without knowing more than people saying it was good, I sat to watch this first episode really not even knowing if it were a drama, a satire, a comedy or what it was. In the end I was very glad to come to this with no knowledge and it turned out that as a genre it really defies definition because it does so much at the same time and does it so well.
The episode opens with the Prime Minister woken by news that a young female member of the Royal family has been kidnapped and has released a video demand. The nature of this demand is the whole episode and it is darkly comic when it is revealed. At this point I thought the episode might lose the tension that it had in its early scenes but in reality it doesn't – it maintains it through the duration and all events. The ridiculousness of it all never goes away but the race against time is thrilling and really drew me in. My curiosity and my inability to look away from the screen mirrors the public in the episode and it is cleverly done in the way that it doesn't judge the reality of the news networks, the social media and the public – it simply lets it happen in a realistic way, the viewer is left to make their own unavoidable judgment and it is all the more sobering for being totally realistic.
The acting is great. There are lots of faces you will know from much lighter shows (In The Thick of It particularly) but they never let it become a comedy and they all sell every bit of it. The performances and the dramatic direction are really key in making the concept work and it works very effectively. As an episode it is not only very difficult to describe but also best not described and approached with no prior knowledge but it is well worth checking out for what it does.
The episode opens with the Prime Minister woken by news that a young female member of the Royal family has been kidnapped and has released a video demand. The nature of this demand is the whole episode and it is darkly comic when it is revealed. At this point I thought the episode might lose the tension that it had in its early scenes but in reality it doesn't – it maintains it through the duration and all events. The ridiculousness of it all never goes away but the race against time is thrilling and really drew me in. My curiosity and my inability to look away from the screen mirrors the public in the episode and it is cleverly done in the way that it doesn't judge the reality of the news networks, the social media and the public – it simply lets it happen in a realistic way, the viewer is left to make their own unavoidable judgment and it is all the more sobering for being totally realistic.
The acting is great. There are lots of faces you will know from much lighter shows (In The Thick of It particularly) but they never let it become a comedy and they all sell every bit of it. The performances and the dramatic direction are really key in making the concept work and it works very effectively. As an episode it is not only very difficult to describe but also best not described and approached with no prior knowledge but it is well worth checking out for what it does.
Sick, Tense and Realistic Story
claudio_carvalho2 January 2016
In London, in Christmas, the Prime Minister Michael Callow (Rory Kinnear) is awakened by his advisors Alex Cairns (Lindsay Duncan) and Julian Hereford (Donald Sumpter) that show a video of Princess Susannah of Beaumont (Lydia Wilson) to him. The princess is the pride and joy of the Royal Family and beloved by the people, and she tells that she was kidnapped. Further, the kidnapper demands that Michael have sex with a pig on live television; otherwise he would kill her. Michael's wife Jane Callow (Anna Wilson-Jones) supports her husband while his advisors try to hire a porn star to perform the act while the secret service tries unsuccessfully to track the kidnapper down. Meanwhile the media seeks for news at any cost. What will the prime minister do?
"The National Anthem" is the promising beginning of "Black Mirror", with a realistic and sick story of terrorism. The plot is tense and the attempt to find the responsible in short time is still impressive. The story shows the power of Internet and how unethical and destructive the press can be in certain situations seeking for a scoop. The conclusion is very ironic. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): Not Available on DVD and Blu-Ray
"The National Anthem" is the promising beginning of "Black Mirror", with a realistic and sick story of terrorism. The plot is tense and the attempt to find the responsible in short time is still impressive. The story shows the power of Internet and how unethical and destructive the press can be in certain situations seeking for a scoop. The conclusion is very ironic. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): Not Available on DVD and Blu-Ray
Intense emotion..!
ahmxii21 October 2021
There are many bad reviews here because of what this episode is on the surface. Look at the regular people during the episode, they are making fun of the whole thing and seem to be enjoy the whole scandal up until a point. Look at that reporter who honestly did not care about the PM or the princess, she just wanted a story. Now compare that to the world we are living in. This episode is nothing short of a criticism of reality. It shows how the humans have become desensitized and borderline psychotic. This episode is the least about a man getting it on with a pig...
This episode has the great atmosphere and makes each paragraph sensational equally. It leads the audience to the climax successfully. But I think the describing to the turning point of the poll is too abrupt.
This episode has the great atmosphere and makes each paragraph sensational equally. It leads the audience to the climax successfully. But I think the describing to the turning point of the poll is too abrupt.
Good episode, just not the propper jumping off point.
tellison-440876 January 2018
I plan to review all Black Mirror episodes once I have seen them all twice. I like to space it out as to not tire myself of this utterly fantastic show. I plan to make my reviews spoiler-free!
So as for the opening episode of the entire series, "The National Anthem." As most of you know, most Black Mirror episodes take place in the future. The opening is episode is based within our real world, and the technology that is available to us. One of the aspects I love about Black Mirror so much is that it reveals the deeper, darker traits of human nature. The types of traits we like to pretend we all don't have, but we do. This episode is surely no exception of that.
The content of this episode is so dark, so disturbing, and for lack of a better word, just plain gross. Having the diabolical mind that I have, I am able to stomach it, and enjoy the twisted-ness of it all, to some degree anyway. If I myself were to write my own TV show, novel, etc... I would probably never delve into the territories that this episode does. Certainly not for the faint of heart. I suppose my favorite aspect of this episode is that the ultimatum presented could happen in today's world... and perhaps have the same outcome. When such a choice is presented to a person in order to save someone in danger, as well as to save face when they themselves are in a position of power, I'm not sure I see it playing out in any other fashion.
The downside, and why I decided to give this 8 stars, is due to the content being so gross. The acting is great, the story is interesting and powerful, and again, the darkest potential of our human nature is revealed in this episode. Upon recommending this show (perhaps my favorite show of all time, next to Breaking Bad and Boardwalk Empire), I always throw out the disclaimer that this is not the first episode that should be watched. I sincerely think Charlie Booker and crew made a mistake having this be the first episode, as people were probably turned off right from the get go. But, every episode of the series stands alone, with their own concepts.
All-in-all, this episode is an interesting look into what could happen if power is given to the wrong hands. The boundaries that are crossed are shocking... but that is one of the many things I love about the show in general. This just isn't the best episode, but it still encapsulates what the show is about. Delivering a dark and ominous message about what can come at the expense of the ever-rising importance and power of technology in our life.
So as for the opening episode of the entire series, "The National Anthem." As most of you know, most Black Mirror episodes take place in the future. The opening is episode is based within our real world, and the technology that is available to us. One of the aspects I love about Black Mirror so much is that it reveals the deeper, darker traits of human nature. The types of traits we like to pretend we all don't have, but we do. This episode is surely no exception of that.
The content of this episode is so dark, so disturbing, and for lack of a better word, just plain gross. Having the diabolical mind that I have, I am able to stomach it, and enjoy the twisted-ness of it all, to some degree anyway. If I myself were to write my own TV show, novel, etc... I would probably never delve into the territories that this episode does. Certainly not for the faint of heart. I suppose my favorite aspect of this episode is that the ultimatum presented could happen in today's world... and perhaps have the same outcome. When such a choice is presented to a person in order to save someone in danger, as well as to save face when they themselves are in a position of power, I'm not sure I see it playing out in any other fashion.
The downside, and why I decided to give this 8 stars, is due to the content being so gross. The acting is great, the story is interesting and powerful, and again, the darkest potential of our human nature is revealed in this episode. Upon recommending this show (perhaps my favorite show of all time, next to Breaking Bad and Boardwalk Empire), I always throw out the disclaimer that this is not the first episode that should be watched. I sincerely think Charlie Booker and crew made a mistake having this be the first episode, as people were probably turned off right from the get go. But, every episode of the series stands alone, with their own concepts.
All-in-all, this episode is an interesting look into what could happen if power is given to the wrong hands. The boundaries that are crossed are shocking... but that is one of the many things I love about the show in general. This just isn't the best episode, but it still encapsulates what the show is about. Delivering a dark and ominous message about what can come at the expense of the ever-rising importance and power of technology in our life.
Incredibly bold and prescient
safenoe22 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
With all the allegations (uncorroborated) around Piggate (just Google it), this series opener was incredibly prescient big time. Charlie Brooker is one talented guy, and his creation of Black Mirror really tapped into our social media/mobile phone/internet/Facebook obsession. This was before Pokemon Go by the way.
This episode is disturbing in many ways, and you can sort of imagine pranksters pulling off such a stunt to humiliate those in power. Wow! Anyway, you are kept guessing until the end and you wonder will the British Prime Minister cave into the demands of the kidnapper? The end is skilfully filmed, and maybe there are DVD outtakes on this.
This episode is disturbing in many ways, and you can sort of imagine pranksters pulling off such a stunt to humiliate those in power. Wow! Anyway, you are kept guessing until the end and you wonder will the British Prime Minister cave into the demands of the kidnapper? The end is skilfully filmed, and maybe there are DVD outtakes on this.
Black comedy, but only just.
Sleepin_Dragon5 January 2018
I know the reviews for this one are generally hugely positive, but I find the first episode a bit of a stumbling block, When you think of subsequent episodes this one just lacks the true cutting edge. Sure it's a disturbing watch, and the performances are superb, fair play to Rory Kinnear, he is superb here, such an amiable actor, it adds to the repulsion and sorrow you feel for the character. The problem I have with this one, is the only picture I have in my mind is David Cameron holding that piglet, distressing all round. It's slick in delivery, it's definitely sick, just a story I'm not particularly struck on, a good watch though.
What would you do?
Bored_Dragon1 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The princess was kidnapped. Via a YouTube video, the kidnapper demands that the Prime Minister have sexual intercourse with a pig in a live television broadcast, in exchange for the Princess' life. While police are trying to track him down, and the crisis staff monitors the reactions of the public, we observe the horrific dilemma of the Prime Minister who is slowly giving in to the pressure, until a complete breakdown.
While the series is largely based on SF and futuristic premises, this episode is a purebred drama, quite possible at this very moment. The episode deals with the terrifying power that the Internet already possesses, the psychology of the masses, and the influence of the media on public opinion, questioning the policy of non-negotiation with terrorists, all through the prism of an individual in a hopeless situation.
Although the script has some obvious flaws, and the episode somewhat flirts with black humor, the overall impression it leaves is deeply shocking, quite frightening, and thought-provoking.
8/10.
While the series is largely based on SF and futuristic premises, this episode is a purebred drama, quite possible at this very moment. The episode deals with the terrifying power that the Internet already possesses, the psychology of the masses, and the influence of the media on public opinion, questioning the policy of non-negotiation with terrorists, all through the prism of an individual in a hopeless situation.
Although the script has some obvious flaws, and the episode somewhat flirts with black humor, the overall impression it leaves is deeply shocking, quite frightening, and thought-provoking.
8/10.
Overrated
dougmacdonaldburr7 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I am giving this highly rated series a chance. This first episode was okay. I was entertained enough, but, it is nothing to write home about. It is also not as clever as it thinks it is. The internet has changed the world is hardly a radical new idea. There was also quite a lot of subtle political correctness which I didn't care for. The BBC is about as bad as it gets when it comes to that. So far I am interested enough in the show to give more episodes a chance, but, it has not yet won me over. Time for episode 2.
P.S. I had to include a spoiler alert so I could include my thoughts. I would not have had sex with the pig. If I were the prime minister, I would not let a random psychopath, other slimy politicians, those unelected sponges the royals or the disgusting public tell me what to do. As it turns out, I would have made the right decision, because the guy had released her 30 mins before anyway. So I wouldn't have had to f*** a pig. That whiny princess would be let go and the crazy terrorist would be the only one harmed because he cut off his own finger. I also hate the PM's wife. She is really angry at him even though he didn't do anything to cause the situation. I hated that reporter the most. Luckily she got shot. That made me very happy.
P.S. I had to include a spoiler alert so I could include my thoughts. I would not have had sex with the pig. If I were the prime minister, I would not let a random psychopath, other slimy politicians, those unelected sponges the royals or the disgusting public tell me what to do. As it turns out, I would have made the right decision, because the guy had released her 30 mins before anyway. So I wouldn't have had to f*** a pig. That whiny princess would be let go and the crazy terrorist would be the only one harmed because he cut off his own finger. I also hate the PM's wife. She is really angry at him even though he didn't do anything to cause the situation. I hated that reporter the most. Luckily she got shot. That made me very happy.
Twisted Ironic Ending was missed by all **Spolier Alert**
apindy0120 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
No need to review the entire plot as it has been outlined by many other viewers. The twist in the plot was not the time-line of the Princesses' release, it was that the PM had arranged this in order to feed his immeasurable ego. When we cut to the scene in the gymnasium one year after the "incident", the PM is striking futbols with a carefree joviality as he has become and will remain, a beloved and cherished National Treasure for decades to come. What I am not 100% sure about is if his wife was aware of the plan. but most signs point to it. Early in the show, she shows complete disdain for her husband - probably disgusted at the thought of what is going unfold shortly. The PM's "over the top" reactions at certain times prior to the "incident" were to convince those around him that he was truly freaking out......Easily believable with the atmosphere so tautly charged. The call placed to the PM by his wife while he was being motorcaded to the "event" was perfectly well timed and his refusal to answer this staged call only made him more of a sympathetic character.
Suggest you watch the show again from a standpoint of knowing that the whole thing was a ploy by the Prime Minister and you will be blown away seeing how it unfolds.
Suggest you watch the show again from a standpoint of knowing that the whole thing was a ploy by the Prime Minister and you will be blown away seeing how it unfolds.
Strange beginnings
anselmdaniel5 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This review contains spoilers for the first episode of the first season of Black Mirror.
The first episode of Black Mirror concerns a royal princess that is kidnapped with the ransom being the prime minister must have sex with a pig on live television. The episode covers the beginning from the ransom video being displayed to the revelation of the ransom. The British government is in panic as they seek to stop the media frenzy caused by the royal princess' kidnapping and ransom.
The mystery of the episode is the best part. The revelation at the end being that the entire act was a work of art and reflection on modern society was great. This part elevated the episode for me and aided in the enjoyment of the episode.
The characters of this episode are well-acted but the characters themselves are two-dimensional. Each character has a single motivation and that is all that carries them through the episode. The wife of the prime minister simply did not want her husband to engage in the act even when it was to save someone's life. It did seem like the episode should have focused more on the theme of the reflection on society rather than the focus on characters.
The directing and editing are decent. The episode's visuals will not wow anyone but it will tell the story.
I would recommend the first episode of the first season of Black Mirror
Grade: B
The first episode of Black Mirror concerns a royal princess that is kidnapped with the ransom being the prime minister must have sex with a pig on live television. The episode covers the beginning from the ransom video being displayed to the revelation of the ransom. The British government is in panic as they seek to stop the media frenzy caused by the royal princess' kidnapping and ransom.
The mystery of the episode is the best part. The revelation at the end being that the entire act was a work of art and reflection on modern society was great. This part elevated the episode for me and aided in the enjoyment of the episode.
The characters of this episode are well-acted but the characters themselves are two-dimensional. Each character has a single motivation and that is all that carries them through the episode. The wife of the prime minister simply did not want her husband to engage in the act even when it was to save someone's life. It did seem like the episode should have focused more on the theme of the reflection on society rather than the focus on characters.
The directing and editing are decent. The episode's visuals will not wow anyone but it will tell the story.
I would recommend the first episode of the first season of Black Mirror
Grade: B
Effective satire needs to at least be remotely plausible.
TheCentralScrutinizer1 November 2016
I gave this 3/10 and all three points are for the actors, who must have strained mightily to make this thing something other than a half-assed attempt at a 45 minute Monty Python skit, and not an especially good one at that.
To call this show ham-fisted(didn't realize the pun until I'd typed it) is to do a disservice to both pigs and fists. There is simply not even the slightest chance that any person in any position of leadership whatsoever would even begin to contemplate doing what this person(the PM of England, no less)agreed to do. No chance whatsoever. Period. Nor would anyone advising him even begin to think about suggesting it.
It turned what may have been an interesting statement about the poisoning of our collective societal well that is social media, and made it an asinine farce.
I gave this series a shot based on a recommendation. If episode two is as flatly stupid as episode one, I'm done.
To call this show ham-fisted(didn't realize the pun until I'd typed it) is to do a disservice to both pigs and fists. There is simply not even the slightest chance that any person in any position of leadership whatsoever would even begin to contemplate doing what this person(the PM of England, no less)agreed to do. No chance whatsoever. Period. Nor would anyone advising him even begin to think about suggesting it.
It turned what may have been an interesting statement about the poisoning of our collective societal well that is social media, and made it an asinine farce.
I gave this series a shot based on a recommendation. If episode two is as flatly stupid as episode one, I'm done.
Is this really so far-fetched
TheDonaldofDoom7 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
If you were to describe the plot to someone, they would think it absurd. Yet the amazing thing about "The National Anthem" is that if you then go on to ask someone why they think it's so implausible they couldn't give a valid reason why. And it's easy to point out that no one would watch the prime minister have sex with a pig on TV, but when it comes to it people love humiliation. They love watching it, almost like a morbid curiosity. That's where the biggest tragedy lies, if no one tuned in to see the act the kidnapper would lose. Sure, he would have got the PM to have sex with a pig but he would have failed in his ultimate goal to make everyone in the country witness the humiliation. And yet, with full knowledge of this, people still watch. That says something dark about human nature.
And the punchline is that the princess had been released before the PM even did the act. Although it's a bit odd how they didn't work out the finger didn't belong to her earlier. It could be explained by the frenzy everyone was in that they didn't think to check but it seems like a basic thing to check.
This is a bleak introduction to the warped world of Black Mirror. Although it's amusing to see the PM has higher approval ratings a year on, that does little to reduce the shock factor the pig sex scene has.
And the punchline is that the princess had been released before the PM even did the act. Although it's a bit odd how they didn't work out the finger didn't belong to her earlier. It could be explained by the frenzy everyone was in that they didn't think to check but it seems like a basic thing to check.
This is a bleak introduction to the warped world of Black Mirror. Although it's amusing to see the PM has higher approval ratings a year on, that does little to reduce the shock factor the pig sex scene has.
no its not the best but its a masterpiece
deora-4317027 December 2019
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