1958, fresh from reporting around the world, Alan Whicker takes his first trepidatious step into the world of television with a report for the ground-breaking Tonight programme. Even having been with the Army Film Unit in WWII, and reporting from the Korean War, putting his face in front of the camera for the first time is nerve-racking experience for Alan.
Alan instantly finds himself at home when the cameras roll. To Alan’s immense relief and happiness, the producers like his style and he becomes Tonight’s roving reporter, travelling around the UK for a series of social interest stories. His manner and skill at talking to the ‘public’ is popular with the viewers, if not with his superiors who find him altogether too jovial.
But Alan has an idea – an idea for a series of stories that will take him around the world. The only issue it proposes the Alan and a cameraman and sound recordist as a three-man crew, something that has never been done before. And that they will continue on their journey and fly the rushes back to the BBC.
The only thing is to get to the Head of Television to sign off on it.
It’s agreed and the idea turns into reality. Soon Alan, cameraman Cyril Moorhead and sound recordist Freddie Downton set out on a 30,000-mile world trip, crossing five continents while filming more than forty different reports. Each one flown back to London for film editor Jack Gold to shape into stories for the nightly show.
Has Alan bitten off more than he can chew? Is his idea just over ambitious? Alan pushes his tiny crew to the limit as they race around the world at break-neck speed. Pushing longer, faster and further than any other crew has done before.
But will the crew survive the marathon? Will he get his countries and stories covered before they collapse with exhaustion?
Will his style of filming have been worth it? Will the public like it?
Alan knows he dispensable and could lose his beloved job in the time it takes to sign his end of contract paper. Can he make a programme from what he filmed?
© TBC Audio Ltd
