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Black Mirror
S1.E1
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IMDbPro

The National Anthem

  • Episode aired Dec 4, 2011
  • 44m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
53K
YOUR RATING
Lydia Wilson in Black Mirror (2011)
  • Drama
  • Mystery
  • Sci-Fi
Prime Minister Michael Callow faces a shocking dilemma when Princess Susannah, a much-loved member of the Royal Family, is kidnapped.Prime Minister Michael Callow faces a shocking dilemma when Princess Susannah, a much-loved member of the Royal Family, is kidnapped.Prime Minister Michael Callow faces a shocking dilemma when Princess Susannah, a much-loved member of the Royal Family, is kidnapped.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
53K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Otto Bathurst
  • Writer
    • Charlie Brooker
  • Stars
    • Rory Kinnear
    • Lindsay Duncan
    • Donald Sumpter
Top credits
  • Director
    • Otto Bathurst
  • Writer
    • Charlie Brooker
  • Stars
    • Rory Kinnear
    • Lindsay Duncan
    • Donald Sumpter
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 144User reviews
    • 41Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos25

    Rory Kinnear in Black Mirror (2011)
    Lydia Wilson in Black Mirror (2011)
    Lydia Wilson in Black Mirror (2011)
    Lindsay Duncan, Tom Goodman-Hill, Donald Sumpter, Patrick Kennedy, and Rory Kinnear in Black Mirror (2011)
    Johann Myers, Alex Macqueen, and Justin Edwards in Black Mirror (2011)
    Johann Myers in Black Mirror (2011)
    Alex Macqueen in Black Mirror (2011)
    Anna Wilson-Jones and Rory Kinnear in Black Mirror (2011)
    Rory Kinnear in Black Mirror (2011)
    Anna Wilson-Jones in Black Mirror (2011)
    Lindsay Duncan in Black Mirror (2011)
    Lindsay Duncan and Rory Kinnear in Black Mirror (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rory Kinnear
    Rory Kinnear
    • Michael Callowas Michael Callow
    Lindsay Duncan
    Lindsay Duncan
    • Alex Cairnsas Alex Cairns
    Donald Sumpter
    Donald Sumpter
    • Julian Herefordas Julian Hereford
    Tom Goodman-Hill
    Tom Goodman-Hill
    • Tom Bilceas Tom Bilce
    Anna Wilson-Jones
    Anna Wilson-Jones
    • Jane Callowas Jane Callow
    Patrick Kennedy
    Patrick Kennedy
    • Section Chief Walkeras Section Chief Walker
    Alastair Mackenzie
    Alastair Mackenzie
    • Martinas Martin
    Chetna Pandya
    Chetna Pandya
    • Malaikaas Malaika
    Alex Macqueen
    Alex Macqueen
    • Special Agent Callettas Special Agent Callett
    • (as Alex MacQueen)
    Jay Simpson
    Jay Simpson
    • Rod Senselessas Rod Senseless
    Helen Fospero
    • Lucinda Towneas Lucinda Towne
    Lydia Wilson
    Lydia Wilson
    • Princess Susannahas Princess Susannah
    Sophie Kennedy Clark
    Sophie Kennedy Clark
    • Laurenas Lauren
    Andrew Knott
    Andrew Knott
    • Brianas Brian
    Allen Leech
    Allen Leech
    • Pikeas Pike
    Johann Myers
    Johann Myers
    • Noelas Noel
    Sophie Wu
    Sophie Wu
    • Jamieas Jamie
    Rakie Ayola
    Rakie Ayola
    • Shellyas Shelly
    • Director
      • Otto Bathurst
    • Writer
      • Charlie Brooker
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This episode became the subject of discussion when, in September 2015, then-current Prime Minister David Cameron was alleged to have placed his penis into the mouth of a dead pig as part of a university initiation rite (with even some of the hashtags seen in this episode being used).
    • Goofs
      In the opening scene, a telephone rings with the single tone used in North America; British phones ring with a double tone.
    • Quotes

      Malaika: It's like 911's happened, and we're broadcasting sandwich recipes.

      Pike: We're not a chat room.

      Jack: [entering] It's on CNN. And Fox. And MSNBC, Al Jazeera, NHK...

      Pike: All right! Oh, God, this planet!

    • Connections
      Featured in Screenwipe: 2015 Wipe (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Organum
      By Max Richter

      From "The Blue Notebooks"

    User reviews144

    Review
    Top review
    The National Anthem
    The Prime Minister is woken up in the middle of the night to find out Princess Susannah has been kidnapped. In her ransom video, the kidnappers demand he broadcast a video of himself having sex with a pig on live TV in exchange for her release.

    This episode isn't futuristic, but it shows the power of social media and the internet. The ransom video spreads like wildfire despite being removed 9 minutes after it was uploaded. The public opinion is broadcasted on the news as the polls sway. The faces of the public watching are shocked and disgusted yet they can't look away.

    Since Black Mirror episodes are individual stories, I recommend skipping S1Ep1 if you're new to the series, come back to it later. It doesn't do the show justice overall and could turn off first time viewers. It's a disturbing thriller with a twist.

    5/10
    helpful•30
    10
    • scottsetchell
    • Apr 17, 2019

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 4, 2011 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Chesham Broadway, Chesham, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Zeppotron
      • Channel 4 Television Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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