The early 2000s saw the introduction of Horizon, a new IT system aimed to simplify life for Subpostmasters. However, the system had unforeseen flaws. Subpostmasters reported losses in their accounts, only to be reassured by the Post Office they were alone in experiencing the issue. In reality, many SPMs faced similar problems. The Post Office subsequently accused some of theft, leading to jail sentences. After years of advocacy, Subpostmasters with criminal convictions are now seeing their convictions overturned. While compensation remains pending, the documentary Mr Bates vs the Post Office: The Real Story explores the devastating effects of these events on the Subpostmasters through intimate interviews, drama clips, and archival footage.
Mr Bates vs the Post Office: The Real Story
The documentary pieces together the devastating effects of the scandal on the Subpostmasters themselves, using intimate interviews, dramatic clips, and archival footage from the time, as well as specially shot material of the actual locations involved.
