The Execution of Gary Glitter
Encyclopedia
The Execution of Gary Glitter is a ninety-minute 2009 mockumentary
that follows the imaginary trial and execution by hanging
of Gary Glitter
for 'offences against children'. Set in an imaginary Britain in which the death sentence has been reintroduced, the drama examines the possible consequences of capital punishment
when Glitter is put on trial as a paedophile
under imagined Capital Crimes Against Children legislation. The drama was written by Rob Coldstream and starred Hilton McRae
as Glitter. Former politician Ann Widdecombe
and journalists Miranda Sawyer
and Garry Bushell
appeared as themselves in the film, discussing the fictional trial and execution.
The Execution of Gary Glitter was screened at Sheffield Doc/Fest and was nominated for the The Sheffield Innovation Award.
The programme was described by the Radio Times
as "a strange, often repellent film... and you might just feel a bit grubby afterwards." It also featured in Charlie Brooker
's Screenwipe Review Of The Year 2009, during which Brooker remarked "It certainly made me think. It made me think 'I don't want a television any more.'" It was a hit with the viewing audience and gave Channel 4 one of its highest ratings for the year.
Glitter lodged a complaint with Ofcom
about the show, alleging unfair treatment. The complaint was not upheld.
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
that follows the imaginary trial and execution by hanging
Hanging
Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...
of Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter is an English former glam rock singer-songwriter and musician.Glitter first came to prominence in the glam rock era of the early 1970s...
for 'offences against children'. Set in an imaginary Britain in which the death sentence has been reintroduced, the drama examines the possible consequences of capital punishment
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
when Glitter is put on trial as a paedophile
Pedophilia
As a medical diagnosis, pedophilia is defined as a psychiatric disorder in adults or late adolescents typically characterized by a primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children...
under imagined Capital Crimes Against Children legislation. The drama was written by Rob Coldstream and starred Hilton McRae
Hilton McRae
Hilton McRae is a Scottish actor in the fields of theatre, television and film.-Career:McRae was part of the radical theatre group 7:84 before graduating from Edinburgh University, and by 1977 he had joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. His most mainstream American film was his role as Green...
as Glitter. Former politician Ann Widdecombe
Ann Widdecombe
Ann Noreen Widdecombe is a former British Conservative Party politician and has been a novelist since 2000. She is a Privy Councillor and was the Member of Parliament for Maidstone from 1987 to 1997 and for Maidstone and The Weald from 1997 to 2010. She was a social conservative and a member of...
and journalists Miranda Sawyer
Miranda Sawyer
Miranda Sawyer is an English journalist and broadcaster.She grew up in Wilmslow, Cheshire with her brother Toby, who is an actor. She has a degree in Jurisprudence from Pembroke College, Oxford...
and Garry Bushell
Garry Bushell
Garry Bushell is an English newspaper columnist, rock music journalist, television presenter, author and political activist. Bushell also sings in the Oi! band The Gonads and manages the New York City Oi! band Maninblack. Bushell's recurring themes are comedy, country and class...
appeared as themselves in the film, discussing the fictional trial and execution.
The Execution of Gary Glitter was screened at Sheffield Doc/Fest and was nominated for the The Sheffield Innovation Award.
The programme was described by the Radio Times
Radio Times
Radio Times is a UK weekly television and radio programme listings magazine, owned by the BBC. It has been published since 1923 by BBC Magazines, which also provides an on-line listings service under the same title...
as "a strange, often repellent film... and you might just feel a bit grubby afterwards." It also featured in Charlie Brooker
Charlie Brooker
Charlton "Charlie" Brooker is a British journalist, comic writer and broadcaster. His style of humour is savage and profane, with surreal elements and a consistent satirical pessimism...
's Screenwipe Review Of The Year 2009, during which Brooker remarked "It certainly made me think. It made me think 'I don't want a television any more.'" It was a hit with the viewing audience and gave Channel 4 one of its highest ratings for the year.
Glitter lodged a complaint with Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
about the show, alleging unfair treatment. The complaint was not upheld.