This was a wonderfully full and powerful documentary on someone of whom I have long been aware, but it wa snot until seeing this this that I realised just how much he has done and the impact that he has had on not just UK society but in many other countries as well. I saw many similarities to Larry Kramer and Outrage in the US where radical and newsworthy methods of protest, often designed to be awkard and cause discomfort and disruption, had the desired effect and unpopularity, even with other organisations that were working to the same sort of ends - HRC in the USA, Stonewall in the UK. It was quite moving though to see and hear people whom Tatchell had crossed/protested against/upset, finally speak in praise of him - George Carey, Angela Mason of Stonewall - although there is always the point to be remembered that when in the past Tatchell was ‘doing his stuff’, the extent to which people who spoke warmly of him now, actually supported him or his aims. I think often the medium and format sometimes, in their minds. drowned out the message.
The biographical picture given was very illuminating - the vilely abusive stepfather (as his sister wisely commented, Peter T could easily have turned out very differently given that upbringing) and the now marvellously warm and supportive relationship with his mother which was very touching indeed.
McKellen made a good interviewer and by the end of the programme, with him preparing to protest in Qatar about their human and gay rights record as they were hosting the World Cup, one saw that he would carry on doing this until he dropped. It was made very clear too, but not sensationally obviously though, that he has suffered much physically for what he has done and achieved.
So, a superb and illuminating documentary.