QUIZ

UK, 2020, 145 minutes, Colour.
Matthew Mc Fadyen, Sian Clifford, Mark Bonnar, Michael Sheen, Helen Mc Crory, Nicholas Woodeson.
Directed by Stephen Frears.

Quiz is a three-part miniseries based on an episode in 2001 from the popular ITV television quiz, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?.

The first part of the series is interesting in terms of establishing the history of the program, its being introduced in the 1990s, production discussions about contents and style, the pilot program, the invitation to popular host, Chris Tarrant, to be the anchor of the program. For those who enjoy television quizzes, this is interesting background.

However, the series also presents a court case with Major Charles Ingram and his wife Diana (Matthew Mc Fadyen and Sian Clifford) in court with charges of cheating on the program.

The series then goes back to the background of the major and his wife, her particular interest in quiz programs, her brother, Adrian, rather fanatic on quizzes, inventing a machine to improve his fastest finger talents, making contact with individuals and groups who are obsessed with quizzes and invent ways of aiding contestants, ways of cheating. Once again, this is very interesting and may prove a surprise to most viewers that such groups existed – especially for the device of “phone a friend� and directing the calls to a group, an expert seen as preparing all kinds of answers, priding himself on being able to supply the answer within the short space of time required by the program.

Diana’s brother is a suspicious character, in need of money, dubious connections, present in questionable circumstances on the night in question. Diana herself is preparing a kind of manual to help contestants to be ready to answer quizzes. Major Ingram is a reputable soldier, with his wife and children, persuaded to go on to the program, trained in all kinds of detailed questions by his wife, advisers noting that there was a shift in the type of questions, many relating to popular music and television culture of the time which he knows very little of.

Charles Ingram finds that he is the fastest finger and goes on to the program, Michael Sheen being the very embodiment, and look, of Chris Tarrant and his style on the program.

Major Ingram gets the first question wrong, uses up his connections very early, including a call to Diana’s father who is not able to give him a correct answer. As the show progresses, it would seem that Major Ingram is not up-to-date with the questions, takes a long time to answer, changes his mind a number of times. As the program progresses, he not only changes his mind but chooses answers that he had already said could not be the answer. So there is great dramatic tension as he moves towards the million pounds is and, to everybody’s astonishment, wins.

There are suspicions from the house manager, from the television technician, and suspicions that there are too many coughs indicating answers.

The film is also interesting in showing the production team and their discussions, the technical work in highlighting coughs, various suspicions, especially of one of the contestants sitting in the audience. In the court case, the prosecuting lawyer makes a good case for the couple having cheated. Helen McCrory? as the defence lawyer, does an analysis of the tapes, the editing, the singling out of coughs for particular sequences, the extensive background of coughs and audience reaction.

The screenplay, written by James Graham, seems to be giving both sides of the case, though with scenes of the couple at home, the frequent coughing that passers by inflict on them, a boy spitting on the Major’s face, the media and their suspicions, the drama would seem to be favouring the Ingram’s, so that for those who do not know the court outcome, it may come as a surprise that they are found guilty.

So, looking back, the probabilities are that they are guilty, but the defence makes a good case for reasonable doubts. The judge gave them a suspended sentence and they were to spend time preparing their appeal.

Stephen Frears has had a long career, almost half a century in directing a vast range of films as well as television programs.

1. The title? Audience interest? Television quizzes, choosing of candidates, questions and answers, prizemoney intentions, compere? Audience participation in the studio? The at-home audience?

2. The English version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? The 1990s, ITV, Paul Smith and his idea, his partners, presenting the ideas to the executives, meetings, discussions, questions, the issue of the compere, Chris Tarrant, the pilot show, the song and the title for the quiz, favourable results, going into production? The film providing background for audiences to understand details of and action for programming?

3. The format of the show, the fastest finger to get the candidate, the different stages of questions, money prizes?

4. The framework of this series, the court case, the Ingrams in court, the other member accused, the indication of cheating, the prosecutor, the defence lawyer, the jury?

5. The background of those interested in quizzes? Diana Ingrams brother, Adrian? His obsession, practising, applying to go on the show, the machine for the fastest finger section? His contacts, other fanatics? The background of the group, the expert, the links, examining all the questions, getting the data? “Phone a friend� and the calls being diverted to them, the expert finding the answer? The widespread influence in the 1990s and early 2000’s?

6. The Ingrams, Charles and his military background, his relationship with his wife, the children, his brother-in-law, the brother-in-law and his financial needs? Diana, her continued interest, connections, writing the manual?

7. The family going on the show? Charles going on, winning the fastest finger? His performance on the show, getting the first question wrong, using up his options? His father-in-law not able to provide a correct answer? The suspicions of the floor manager, the television technician? Giving the information to the producers?

8. Charles Ingram and the further questions, stating that an answer was wrong and then actually choosing it? Possibilities for cheating? Headphones? Coughs? His saying that he was playing to the tension of the program? His winning the million pounds?

9. The immediate suspicions, the activities of the producers, the meetings, checking the video, editing, highlighting coughs? The issues of the law? Paul Smith, coming in at the end? The sponsors and their reactions? Chris Tarrant’s opinion?

10. The treatment of the Ingrams, the police arriving, the mocking with so many coughs, the boy spitting at Charles? The issue with the military and his going on leave? The situation at home with the children?

11. The court case? The suspicions of the brother? The other competitor and the accusations of coughing? The questioning of Chris Tarrant?

12. The intensity of the prosecutor, the questions? The obvious improbability that of all people Charles Ingram could not win £1 million? The work of the defence lawyer, finding all the loopholes, the bias in the editing to find them guilty by the producers, the characters? Not guilty beyond reasonable doubt?

13. The screenplay, in favour of the Ingrams? Audience shock at the jury’s verdict of guilty on all counts?

14. What was the audience left with in terms of innocence or guilt of the Ingrams? And the reputation of the shows and the possibilities for cheating?