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TfL bosses attacked for giving go-ahead to Tube suicide film
Robert Mendick, Chief Reporter27.03.08
Tube bosses were accused of insensitivity after taking money for a new film in which a driver searches for a suicide victim to jump under his train.
Passenger groups and transport unions are calling for a boycott of Three And Out, a black comedy starring Office actor Mackenzie Crook, when it is released next month.
In the film, the Tube driver - played by Crook - accidentally kills two people who fall under his train. He is told by colleagues of a London Underground rule - not actually true - that a third death within a month will see him pensioned off with a huge cheque.
He decides to find a third person prepared to commit suicide by jumping under his train in what is billed as a "comedic caper". The script was approved by Transport for London, which received an undisclosed sum to allow filming on parts of the Tube network.
According to TfL, 116 people have died from falling under Tube trains in the past five years.
Brian Cooke, chairman of the passenger group London TravelWatch, said he was "amazed" TfL had sanctioned the movie. "It shows a lack of appropriate consideration for the sensitivities particularly of bereaved people," Mr Cooke said.
A spokesman for the train drivers' union Aslef said : "It is an absolutely sick and revolting premise that will only upset our members. The makers can say it's fiction but people will think there are drivers looking for somebody to murder."
Writing in the union's monthly journal, Aslef 's general secretary Keith Norman said: "Having witnessed it myself, I know the life-changing trauma that drivers can suffer when they have been involved in an incident like this... Is this really the best material for a film comedy that the industry can come up with?"
TfL defended the decision to give the movie the go ahead - scenes were filmed in East Finchley and Charing Cross Tube stations - and said some changes had been made to ref lect London Underground's sensitive handling of Tube deaths.
A spokesman said: "The Tube is a major part of London and is often the subject or location for dramas and other films.
"Having had our officials examine the request put to London Underground by the film's producers, the Tube was allowed to be used for a small number of scenes."
The film's makers Worldwide Bonus Entertainment said it had sent the script not only to TfL but also to the Samaritans to ensure issues were dealt with " sensitively". A spokesman said: "Everyone involved in Three And Out has been aware of the difficult - and at times heartfelt - issues that the film raises."
The film, opening on 25 April, also features Imelda Staunton, Sir Antony Sher and a cameo by Kerry Katona.
Reader views (9)
The best way for ASLEF to have dealt with this would have been to ignore it. As it is they've given this film great free publicity. I will certainly be going to see it now. Thanks Mr Norman. Any relation to Barry?
- Casey Jones, London, UK
Human Alert No 15000!
Life is dangerous - no matter how many laws things will offend - for sanity's sake the complaint about this is rubbish - and speaking as someone whose close relative decided to take their own way out - I am not offended by this - its fiction! I suggest the people who are complaining get off their backsides and live life properly - before they too might be tempted.
- Sara, SE1
Their are no comedy writers left in this country worth talking about, this is about as good as it gets for today's rubbish television for mindless people to watch - these writers need to go back to school and start from scratch.
- Ralph Parsons, London,England
The TfL actually approved this? I've always suspected they found delayed, overcrowded, and dirty trains amusing, but never would have guessed they found killing their passengers funny.
- R M, London, UK
I see another strike coming, it was sunny today.
- Milly Tant, Highgate
Sounds hilarious! Perhaps we'll go watch this movie the next time the trains are suspended because some selfish person has decided to end his life at the hands of a poor train driver!
- Bec, London
How can a driver actually murder someone by running them over with his train? People choose to jump so it is never the driver's fault.
As for the union shouting the odds about stress and trauma to their members - what about the trauma and upset it causes other passengers who actually witness a suicide or murder on the tube? I witnessed someone being pushed under a train and I was completely traumatised and unable to travel on the underground for almost a year but London Transport refused me (and countless other passengers) any form of help or counselling as it "wasn't their fault".
I say let the film go ahead, if you don't want to see it, you don't have to. There is always a choice, which you cannot force on to other people.
- Mary Ann, LONDON
"people will think there are drivers looking for somebody to murder." And just how would someone murder someone whilst driving a tube train? What a ridiculous comment.
- Squiz, Islington
Oh dear, I suppose this means that the unions will call a strike if all their members are not issued with free tickets...
- Jules, London
