Prigionieri di viaggio

Five may not be the UK's most-watched terrestrial TV channel, but personally I think their programming is often far superior to either BBC1 or any of the ITV channels. They're particularly good at commissioning documentaries (which are a lot cheaper than drama, I guess), and have screened lively and informative docs covering everything from art, military history, engineering, medical issues to...well, you name it.

"Banged Up Abroad", produced by Raw TV, is a case in point. The reconstructions using actors are not cheesy (BBC, take note), the camera-work is not intrusive with faux-verite shakiness (everyone else, take note), it's well directed with the minimum of voice-over, and manages to extract heartfelt, and often very moving, narratives from the actual protagonists.

It also skillfully avoids falling into a trap of implicit racism concerning the foreign countries where people find themselves imprisoned. Very often conditions are shocking, and the prison system in question is failing miserably on inmates' rights, but the programme never lazily and simplistically portrays foreign nations as inherently corrupt and beyond-the-pale.

I've found every episode both gripping and illuminating from beginning to end. One can only imagine how hammy BBC1 would make it, with someone like Michael Burke doing the voice-over.

It's a shame that this series, currently airing, consists of only four episodes. This week they told the story of two American girls imprisoned in Peru, so perhaps they will continue to spread their net to relate the stories of other non-Brits. It would also be interesting to hear the stories of those not imprisoned for drug offences - how about the testimony of someone held at Guantanamo Bay?

Let's hope that this excellent programme has a third series.

I just want to say that I love love love this show. One reviewer writes how the show has shifted from representing "unfair tourists" to "glorifying drug-runners". I believe there is still a good mix of episodes in which tourists are unfairly locked up and also in which undoubtedly, poor decision makers are also punished (though NOT fairly). Personally, I like these episodes that divulge the insides of the "poor decision-makers''' experiences. That's the lure of the program. If someone is not looking for this type of entertainment, fair enough. But I find it incredibly fascinating and have also been introduced to new books (from Chris Chance) and new research opportunities from these individuals. To each his own. I love the show and find it compelling, exciting and well, ....addicting!

My favorite show on National Geographic Channel! It's nice to hear the stories about many interesting lives, you can always learn a new life lesson. Altough I like the show very much, I would definitely want to hear the pure truth, not the variation of the story with some changes.

This television series is about people that have traveled to foreign countries for various reasons, and have ended up in prison. Each episode generally starts off with an individual explaining how, and why they ended up going abroad. It has real people explaining real stories. The series has reenactments as the person is talking about the events. The way this series is put together really makes you feel like you were there. National Geographic does an amazing job of adding a human element to these narrative stories. It touches on subjects like drug smuggling, kidnapping, gun running, and even journalists at the wrong place at the wrong time. It gives insight to different countries, laws, or lack of laws, and paints a picture of both human endurance and suffering. Absolutely engaging.

One of the best shows on TV. The way in which the former jailbird (more often than not) ends up being a drug runner (more often than not) is gripping. The producer does a great job as from the start to the finish its normally one person talking without interruption. That could get boring in certain situations but for some reason never does. The show is so good we normally know the outcome- person ends up in jail for drugs but even so always has twists and turns. There are shows which are not about drugs but lets face it the drug busts are the best ones and you are hooked- waiting for the time they get caught. Then there is the aftermath in jail and what its like to be there. It's better than a Hollywood movie as its dramatic without extra drama being written into like a 'true story' film. The only reason why it's not 10 out of 10 is because of the 'coming up' bit at the start. Would be better if the viewer was unaware of what was to come all the way through.