RBS: Inside The Bank That Ran Out Of Money, on BBC2 earlier this week, was an exceptionally well-made documentary. It didn't tell you anything new about the RBS story but it did skillfully weave together stock footage, archive interviews, talking heads and the occasional witty flourish (e.g. Peggy Lee singing Is that all there is? over the end credits) to produce an engrossing programme.
Plus there was the bonus of previously never-before-broadcast footage of Fred the Shred's final meeting with RBS shareholders. It's immensely satisfying to see him face up to an angry investor demanding an apology. The then chairman Sir Tom McKillop had already apologised but when an hour passed without a similar gesture from Fred, said investor grabbed the microphone and stated that people wanted to hear the word sorry pass his lips. "I wouldn't want there to be any doubt. I am extremely sorry," says a squirming Fred. Whether he meant it is left for you to decide - the programme has a slightly mocking tone when covering the record loss of £28 billion and Government bail-out and the fact that one of the central players walked away with a fat pension and knighthood intact. But ultimately the narration is coolly detached, rather than Michael Moore style lecture/rant. And all the better for it.
Watch it here.
Plus there was the bonus of previously never-before-broadcast footage of Fred the Shred's final meeting with RBS shareholders. It's immensely satisfying to see him face up to an angry investor demanding an apology. The then chairman Sir Tom McKillop had already apologised but when an hour passed without a similar gesture from Fred, said investor grabbed the microphone and stated that people wanted to hear the word sorry pass his lips. "I wouldn't want there to be any doubt. I am extremely sorry," says a squirming Fred. Whether he meant it is left for you to decide - the programme has a slightly mocking tone when covering the record loss of £28 billion and Government bail-out and the fact that one of the central players walked away with a fat pension and knighthood intact. But ultimately the narration is coolly detached, rather than Michael Moore style lecture/rant. And all the better for it.
Watch it here.
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