DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT
The decline in journalistic standards and the overwhelming obsession with 'celebrity' has never been more in the news, especially with the Leveson enquiry fresh in people's minds.
We first met Harold when we interviewed him for our film on Don McCullin. He is one of the most inspiring people we have ever met.
Harold Evans was unafraid to pit himself against big corporations and governments when he thought he was right. He was a champion of the 'little guy'. But nothing prepared us for the three year journey learning about and uncovering new important information, on the biggest man made disaster in peacetime. Thalidomide.
"When we tried to expose the plight of the thalidomide children - some without arms or legs, some born just trunks - they'd been denied compensation for ten years. Why wasn't there a huge national scandal about it. Why? Because we in the press weren't allowed to comment on a case before the courts." Harold Evans
Risking prison for contempt of court, Evans, along with his reporters and legal team, took up the families cause, and under fierce resistance from the drug company, found a way around the law and began what became known as the 'moral campaign', which, for the first time, let people know exactly how the children had been treated.
Harry's intervention on the victims behalf brought to its knees one of the biggest companies in the country; a company that was using its might to force the victims of their product to settle for a fraction of the compensation they needed.
We set out in a graphic manner what good journalism can achieve, with a positive message that says there is a use for newspapers other than to find out what Kim Kardashian's been up to.
Jacqui Morris and David Morris, 2016
Grierson Award Winner
Sheffield International Documentary Festival, Special Jury Award Winner
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, Audience Award Nominee
-
SELECTED REVIEW QUOTES;
“I’ve seen many excellent feature films based on real cases of investigative journalism, such as All The President’s Men, Kill The Messenger and Spotlight, but Attacking the Devil, by sticking strictly to the facts and making a virtue of having witnesses speak directly to the camera, outshines them all.”
The Guardian
“For a more inspirational portrayal of the power of British investigative journalism, you’re better off with the remarkable Attacking the Devil.”
The Independent
“Concentrated and compassionate but ultimately assembled with laser precision, this valuable and moving film confirms the Morris siblings as masters of their documentary craft.”
Sight & Sound, Trevor Johnson
"David and Jacqui Morris’s film is about the Thalidomide scandal and how Team Evans fought to shed light on its darkest corners, including the drug’s origin in prewar chemical experimentation in Germany. It's faultlessly told."
Financial Times
