Paisley: A Life

A documentary on the life of Ian Paisley that charts his remarkable journey from rabble-rousing preacher and divisive demagogue to his role in finally delivering political stability to Northern Ireland.

The film features interviews with many of those closest to Paisley at crucial junctures in his life. Ian Paisley Junior speaks about his childhood and family life, Tony Blair and Jonathan Powell give the inside story of Paisley's role in the negotiations which led to devolved government and Martin McGuinness remembers the Ian Paisley he knew.

The documentary also features interviews with people who knew Paisley as a young preacher, and loyalist leaders Jackie McDonald and Billy Hutchinson discuss Paisley's complex and often contradictory relationship with loyalism.

Eamon McCann examines Paisley's role in opposing the Civil Rights Movement and specifically the attack on Civil Rights marchers at Burntollet Bridge in 1969. Thatcher advisor, Charles Powell and former leading member of the Thatcher government, Tom King, discuss their experiences of being on the receiving end of Paisley's ire surrounding the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

The film is a frank and comprehensive assessment of Paisley's role in the conflict in Northern Ireland, as well as his role in its conclusion, told by those who dealt with Paisley first hand as a preacher, politician, and ultimately peacemaker.