• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

Movie Review – Dennis Skinner: Nature of the Beast (2017)

September 6, 2017 by Robert W Monk

Dennis Skinner: Nature of the Beast, 2017.

Directed by Daniel Draper.

SYNOPSIS :

A documentary taking an in-depth look at the life and work of committed socialist, trade unionist and Labour politician Dennis Skinner.

The committed socialist and Labour MP for Bolsover Dennis Skinner is shown a far softer side to his nature in this documentary from Daniel Draper. While there is an entertaining celebration of Skinner’s famously amusing quips and heckles during the annual Queen’s speech in the House of Commons, the film also draws attention to his love of gardens and a world outside politics. Indeed, one of Skinner’s most proud achievements was in scuppering Enoch Powell’s attempt to block stem-cell research. This plus a detailed look at family and work background – the ex-miner treats his political life as a job, just “like going to the pit”  – produce a portrait of a figure different but complementary to the feared so-called ‘Beast of Bolsover’.

Draper uses a combination of archived video and images inter-cut with interviews with Skinner and his surviving four brothers to show a clear view of a principled and hard working politician. Much is made of Skinner’s avoidance of socialising in the Commons bars or having anything to do with Conservatives, and a figure very different to the modern idea of a ‘career politician’ begins to emerge.

As with any biography of this nature there is a danger of lapsing into hagiography, but Draper mostly avoids this by keeping things on the level and sticking to the facts as far as possible. This plus idyllic shots of garden life, the magnolia flowers of St James’s Park and spoken memories of apple scrumping and sharing the wealth in rural Derbyshire paint a picture of an idealised world worth fighting for by any means. The technique of keeping interviewees on camera for a few moments after their comments also works well, humanising people and their political views in a sort of relaxed and informal way. An interesting and valuable account of one of British politics most noteworthy individuals.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

Robert W Monk is a freelance journalist and film writer.

Originally published September 6, 2017. Updated April 17, 2018.

Filed Under: Movies, Reviews, Robert W Monk Tagged With: daniel draper, dennis skinner, Dennis Skinner: Nature of the Beast

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Asian Shock Horror Movies You Have To See

The Top 10 Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes

15 Great Feel-Good Sing-a-Long Movies

The Best 90s and 00s Horror Movies That Rotten Tomatoes Hate!

10 Tarantino-Esque Movies Worth Adding to Your Watch List

The Bonkers Comedies of Andrew McCarthy

Movies That Actually Really Need A Remake!

The Rocky Horror Picture Show at 50: How A Musical Awoke A Generation

10 Great Movies About Making Movies

Not for the Faint of Heart: The Most Shocking Movies of All Time

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

Top Stories:

Movie Review – Black Phone 2 (2025)

Movie Review – Frankenstein (2025)

Slow Horses Season 5 Episode 4 Review – ‘Missiles’

Movie Review – Good Fortune (2025)

Comic Book Review – Star Trek: Picard Omnibus

Movie Review – Ballad of a Small Player (2025)

10 Must-See Horror Movies Guaranteed to Make You Squirm

Movie Review – Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein (2025)

The Top 10 Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes

Hasbro unveils new Star Wars: The Black Series Darth Vader, Boba Fett and Purge Trooper & Patrol Trooper figures

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

Max Headroom: The Story Behind the 80s A.I. Icon

Godzilla Minus One and the Essential Toho Godzilla Movies

Incredible TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon

7 Forgotten 2000s Comedy Movies That Are Worth Revisiting

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles and Opinions
  • Write for Flickering Myth
  • About Flickering Myth
  • The Baby in the Basket