This hour long documentary explores the personality of notorious serial killer Dennis Nilsen. We review The Dennis Nilsen Story on ITV.
Dennis Nilsen was a man who admitted to murdering up to 15 young men at his homes in London.
He disposed of their bodies in his garden and down his drain.
“I’m sort of an odd one out. Well, my life has been lived on this profile of being the odd one out.” – Dennis Nilsen
60 minutes of intrigue and raw unfiltered detail makes up The Dennis Nilsen Story.
Narrated by David Tennant the documentary features some of the key figures involved with Nilsen around his killing spree including criminologist David Wilson who frequently corresponded with Nilsen over several decades.
What also added substance to this gripping documentary was the inclusion of Brian Masters, Nilsen’s biographer who features heavily in the TV series Des and was the closest person to Nilsen whilst he was incarcerated.
A mild-mannered civil servant who worked at a local job centre, once a member of the police force (briefly) and a former Army caterer Dennis Nilsen’s past is explored from start to finish with no stone unturned.
The documentary features new material and unseen archive footage shot by Nilsen himself and interviews with the victims’ families.
Nilsen’s interview with police is also shown, shot in 1992 from Albany Prison.
A video that was originally banned as this cold-hearted killer talking to openly, freely and almost boasting about his crimes to the police is quite extraordinary to witness.
David Tennant perfectly recreates the chilling police interview in the series Des and it further reenforces what a stellar performance it truly was.
For true crime fans I thought this hour-long documentary was well structured, detailed and certainly worth your time.
Truly horrifying but highly educational for those interested in true crime and the macabre.
The Dennis Nilsen Story review by Sean Evans
Our Rating
Summary
The Dennis Nilsen Story on ITV is certainly one for all true-crime fans out there. Wonderfully structured, detailed and with first hand accounts from the most credible people surrounding Nilsen and his victims. It’s a solid piece that shines a cold, harsh light on one of the UK’s most notorious serial killers.
