a scandal that shook British society in the 1960s
A love affair would bring unimaginable consequences, the fire that lit the fuse that would set off a bomb. That explosion would have a chain reaction, destroying the lives of several people, a scandal that would hit the government of the time, but that the biggest victims would be those who did not have the power of influence to get away with it. .
In the 1960s, the respected British war minister John Profumo, who has every chance of becoming party leader and possibly even prime minister in the future, meets a young woman in her twenties, a former showgirl and friend of Stephen Ward, an osteopath with ties to British high society. In addition, the doctor is also friends with an attaché at the Soviet embassy, who is monitored by the security services. The intense adventure between the politician and Christine comes to an end, they have not seen each other or communicated for two years. For Profumo it is a forgotten affair, but Christine Keeler's unstable life will involve her in some shady deals with her black boyfriend, putting her in the spotlight of the tabloids. Politics, racism, sex, espionage, perfect ingredients for a scandal.
The mini-series tells us all the details of the events that spanned several years. Over the course of six episodes, we are given an idea of who Christine Keeler really was. Something that is difficult to determine. We'll never know what this woman really looked like, did she know it herself? Keeler wrote three books about her life, three different versions.
There were so many stories, versions, lies, over the years, that the truth could have been diluted into all the fiction.
The media paid for controversial statements, photos, interviews. Many of those involved were hoping for easy money.
It was Keeler herself who took the first step in bringing the whole scandal to light. She thought she'd make easy money, counting the affair. The friends who advised her were only thinking of getting their percentage. The newspaper, they just wanted to strike a blow at the conservative government.
Everyone was looking out for their own gain, even Keeler and Ward. What they never thought was that they would fall into the system's trap and end up sitting on the bench, judged and condemned.
Keeler and Ward became the defendants of the hypocritical moralism of the whole society of that time. Powerful men did not want to get involved in Ward's trial, many benefited from this friendship, the doctor introduced beautiful young women to influential men.
It has happened countless times, in scandals of this type, the older rats, the ones who really handle the power, get out of the way, emerge victorious. While they abandon those who are weak, after having enjoyed what they provided.
The fate of the real Ward was tragic. I think he's the one who came out of this whole scandal the worst. British moralistic society accused him of being a pervert, false justice found him guilty of pimping. But he wouldn't let others decide his fate.
Victims? Guilty? Corrupt? Innocent? According to my Internet research and the final titles of the mini-series, Keeler stated many times that she didn't want to be labeled a victim. He knew what he was doing, he was young and he wanted money, the best way to get it was to sleep with powerful men. Her friend Mandi also knew what she was doing, something that has existed since we have a notion of our existence. Powerful men like young women and know that they can make a profit quickly and easily.
In the six episodes of the mini-series we see how all the media attention is subtly diverted. After the politician's mission, the political coup against the government has been a success. Now the whole arsenal would be directed towards the weakest, those who had no chance of being victorious. The people would forget about the real corrupt ones and the media would give them a show with lurid details for their enjoyment.
To know more about the scandal, I invite you to look for information on the internet, I leave you a link to wikipedia: link
Andrea Harkin and Leanne Welham are the filmmakers in charge of directing the episodes, making a rather entertaining product, covering all possible details about the scandal. Both have experience in British television and film. The mini-series has the undisputed hallmark of British television productions.
The cast of British productions always hits the mark. All the actors do a great job. James Norton has captivated me with his performance as Ward, the actor famous for playing Sidney Chambers in the series Grantchester, he does an excellent performance, his character of course is manipulative but gives him a charming aura, making us feel sorry for him. The actor Ben Miles plays John Profumo, the political aristocrat, who will lose many friends and some respect, truncating his rising political career, but compared to the fate of others, he did very well. The beautiful actress Ellie Bamber plays Mandy, Keeler's friend and another of the girls who would start using her body for profit at a very young age, a frivolous girl who dreams of fame and money.
Actress Sophie Cookson is the big revelation, taking the lead, playing Christine Keeler. The actress has been seen in the role of Roxy in the two successful Kignsman films. The actress, besides her physical resemblance to the real Keeler, provides the character with the necessary elements to make the story credible. There is a high degree of naivety in the character and at the same time we reproach her for her selfish acts. He's a very contradictory character and reflects that very well on the screen.
Christine Keeler had her moments of glory, where magazines and tabloids wanted to have her on their pages. There's a very famous photograph of her, which I read became an icon. The photograph was taken by photographer Lewis Morley. The focus was on Keeler's alleged naked body in a fake chair of a famous design. This chair is in a museum. In the mini series we see how this mythical photograph was made, but if you want to know more about this icon, I recommend you to read this full report: link
Keeler is no longer in this world. He died in December 2017 at the age of 75, after a period of illness. The whole scandal became part of popular culture, inspired songs, plays, movies and now mini-series.
That scandal was not the only one, everywhere, this kind of scandal would continue to happen. The world is a place full of hypocrisy, where a sexual adventure can lead to the destruction of entire lives. The worst thing is that those who judge and administer justice are more immoral than what society has pointed out. But they are untouchable, it's real life.
My Rankin: 3.4/5
a photograph of the real Christine Keeler
Trailer
