Key Highlights
- The Tony Blair Story features interviews with Blair himself and his family.
- Peter Mandelson, a former ally, provides insights into Blair’s presidency.
- The documentary covers both highs and lows of Blair’s political career.
- Cherie Blair reveals that her husband isn’t romantic and has never bought her flowers.
A Definitive Look at Tony Blair: The Documentary
So, is this the definitive documentary on Tony Blair? You might think this is new, but…
The three-part series titled “The Tony Blair Story” does not disappoint. Channel 4’s Michael Waldman has crafted a serious, wide-ranging record of Blair’s political career and its peaks and valleys.
Blair’s Authority
With the former Prime Minister himself as a talking head, along with his family, friends, and even enemies—Peter Mandelson—the documentary exudes authority. Blair appears soberly suited, sometimes reflective, often defensive, occasionally combative, but absolutely refusing to psychoanalyse himself.
Mandelson’s Insights
Unlike some other documentaries about Blair, it stars the man himself. Peter Mandelson, Britain’s disgraced former ambassador to the US, was interviewed before his downfall. He talked about Blair, saying that he could sometimes be a “little tin-eared,” referring to his intractability over Iraq.
Interestingly, Mandelson advised Blair towards the end of his tenure: “Just get up off your knees! Don’t be apologetic. Stop being a supplicant.”
Blair’s Stand on Iraq
There is no softening of Blair’s position on Iraq even after all these years. The man is not for turning.
Family Contributions
The documentary also includes rare appearances from three of his four grown-up children, although their contributions are frustratingly brief. Cherie, his wife, said that Blair isn’t very romantic and has never bought her flowers, which given all the money they have seems a bit rum.
Daughter’s Perspective
Kathryn said she hated the press and thought they were particularly horrid to her mother. “If someone told me today they worked for the Daily Mail, I’d probably turn around and walk in the other direction.” She also stated that her father isn’t finished yet and still has more he wants to do.
Blair’s Political Legacy
Waldman’s documentary is a serious, wide-ranging record of not only Blair’s political career but his early life as well. It reveals that his father, Leo, was born to travelling performers and was subsequently fostered by the Blairs.
Expert Opinions
Bill Clinton provided a note of dissent: “Initially I had been proud of Blair, but when he volunteered that Britain would take on Helmand, the most dangerous place in Afghanistan, that was him being brave with other people’s bodies in a not very well thought-out way.” Andrew Neil called Blair an “integral part of a golden age in Britain” which many people wish we were back in now. Blair himself wasn’t sure why Waldman wanted to make this series about him now.
Conclusion
While we could call this his “Bob from Twin Peaks” era, it’s clear that the story isn’t over yet. It’s a serious, wide-ranging record of not only Blair’s political career but his early life as well. Whether or not it is definitive, it certainly does what it says on the tin.
★★★★☆
