THEY took on McDonald’s in the libel courts and won – and now the story of a postman and gardener who were at the centre of the UK’s longest libel trial is to be screened on BBC tonight (Thursday), two days before the company’s 50th birthday.
Originally made in 1997 by Camden Town film-maker Franny Armstrong, the film has since been updated.
It charts the story of how Helen Steel and David Morris were taken to the High Court by the multinational fast-food chain over allegedly libellous leaflets the pair handed out on the doorstep of McDonald’s restaurants.
In the new film, Franny, 32, charts the progress of their David-and-Goliath style battle against the company.
Ms Armstrong said: “It’s timeless, and we wanted to show what has happened next.
“It was never about McDonald’s, not for Helen and Dave or me. They are just one multinational corporation and I personally don’t care what they do, but what I am excited about is that there has been a sea change in the public awareness of the big McLibel issues, like nutrition and advertising aimed at children.”
McLibel is being shown on BBC4 at 9pm tonight (Thursday).