The Biko Inquest

This is a televised play/film based on the real transcripts of the inquest following the death of anti-apartheid South-African leader Steven Biko.Even for that reason only, it is a highly interesting piece, however,its value is enhanced by the powerful script and dialogue as well as the strong performances by the cast.Albert Finney directed this, his second (and last, up to now at least) directorial attempt after the scandalously underrated ''Charlie Bubbles'' in 1968.His job is a rather discreet one,as he lets the documents and the power of both truth and deception speak for themselves and, to those familiar with the real events, it will seem as an honest piece of work, without propagandistic sentimentalities. Richard Attenborough's film ''Cry freedom'', which shortly followed Finney's, narrates the events that led to Biko's arrest and subsequent death, it however takes many poetic licenses, a case not to be found in this one.It is powerful, at times shocking and I can only lament the fact that Finney has never seriously moved to the directorial seat before or since that.