The Banksy Story
3.8/5
Critic Rating
The story of Banksy's rise, the stunts, the culture and the story of how the work became so valuable.
Critic Reviews
Score: 3.5
Miranda Sawyer • The Guardian • Jul 29, 2023
"The Banksy Story is not really for me either, I’m afraid. It has some selling points. Our host, James Peak, is chatty, funny and clear, and there’s a lot of joy in this series, but the story of Britain’s most famous anonymous artist isn’t interesting enough to justify a 10-part podcast...The length means there is padding: much reputation enhancement, plus blether and daft effects. If there’s gold in here, it comes from interviewee Steph, who used to work with the artist. "
Score: 4
Charlotte Runcie • Telegraph UK • Jul 26, 2023
"There’s space, here, for a robust narrative structure and the chance to learn several new things...The Banksy Story, it turns out, is actually the Steph Warren story, with much of this series spent with her insights into the art world. Peak’s eviction is a rare moment of journalistic risk, but this series ultimately suffers from the same problem as the Saatchi show: Banksy isn’t there."
Score: 4
Patricia Nicol • The Times UK • Jul 22, 2023
"Revelation was lacking. Documentary programmes like this don’t fare well with secretive subjects. And while Peak and his sidekick soundman Duncan Crowe provide an enjoyably informative art tour, you notice the Banksy-shaped hole. In the absence of Banksy, another star interviewee emerges: Steph Warren...Warren is an engaging, sympathetic interviewee with an interesting hard-luck story, but she’s not Banksy."
