Helen and Dave were wonderful and inspiring; whether it's McD's or somebody selling cars or diapers or whatever -- there's always the mythic subtext of freedom and independence; from Marlboro Man to "Have it your way" to cars on the lonesome hiway surrounded by pristine mountains -- it's all about how unlimited our choices are; how "free" and/or freewheelin' we can be; nothing puts the lie to the test better than a couple of real human beings willing to stand up and tell the truth -- beneath all our freedom lurks an ugly dependence -- whether it's the exploitation of animals, or workers being treated as such. This is absolutely a remarkable film; both for the story it tells and for pointing out the big problem of one man's freedom being another's suffering.
Rob Smoke, oldstogie@hotmail.com, on 28 november 1998

 
 
haven't seen the film but good on you for doing so much, we all owe a lot to morris, steel and everyone else who helped.
greg sawyer, gregsawyer@clear.net.nz, on 22 march 1998

 
 
I think that this is one of the finest examples of principled documentary filmmaking I have encountered for years. I deeply regret that legal pressures prevent us from giving it the audience it deserves, and I commend the film to anyone, broadcaster or public, with an interest in how the world really works. May I wish you the very best of luck in your efforts to find a broadcaster for this important story.
, , on 5 march 1998

 
 
i saw the film last night. does dave morris _really_live in that house?
kate canning, katec@hotmail.co.uk, on 26 january 1998

 
 
Whilst this trial has captured the imaginaiton of so many people and seemed to have spawned so many offspring - there's the McLibel book, the McSpotlight website, 'McLibel' the C4 reconstruction and the McLibel documentary - it seems ironic that it is the McLibel documentary which has fallen most foul of the worst fears that have made McDonald's synonymous with censorship and bullying tactics. Whilst the book ultimately seemed to fall foul of the defendants - it seems tame compared with what was said and went on in McLibel, the website was able to brag its untouchability and therefore could and did seem to publish whatever material it liked and the C4 reconstruction dealt with only the courtroom itself - the documentary was perhaps the biggest test to see if anything had changed - it was trying to marry what went on in the court with the issues about which this trial centred. That the film was made at all and that it CAN be seen is a triumph for those that have made and contributed to it. It is however just proof that the traditional media are still running scared. Having seen the documentary there can only be praise for its attempt to show what was said about the issues that were at the heart of the trial in one of the UK's highest courts and a belief that it is a quality production of broadcast quality. That we the British public have not yet be able to see it broadcast (terrestially), because of some unspoken and unmentionable threat one presumes, is an indictment of our broadcasters, our libel laws and the weaknesses we have been engendered with in the face of big business. We can only hope that sooner rather than later this will change.
Justin Meyers, lonestar@iname.com, on 11 december 1997

 
 
this is the most unbelievable fantastic film i've ever had the honour to watch. my how i wish i could be as talented, driven and insightful as the people who worked so long and so hard to put together this hour of pure televisual excitement.

the director, biased@spanner.org

 
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