Ian Brady. Endgames of a psychopath.

Ian Brady, psychopath, sadist and child murder, has been in captivity for nearly 50 years; he is still a powerful and disturbing presence in the nation’s consciousness. With the aid of archive footage and contemporary analysis, director Paddy Wivell presents the inside story of the Moors Murderer since his crimes were discovered and charts his continued determination for power and control. Wivell meets with Brady’s mental health advocate Jackie Powell who talks about Brady’s recent seizure and subsequent treatment. Fred Harrison, author of "The Genesis of The Moors Murders" discusses Brady’s character. He states that the murders came from a desire for Brady to prove to his partner Myra Hindley that he was mentally strong enough to cause harm and take human life. Terry West, brother of Lesley Ann Downey, another victim, recalls his sister’s disappearance and Terry Kilbride, brother of John Kilbride, tells of the despair Brady caused. Brady’s psychiatrist professors Tony Maden and Jeremy Coid discuss the sadistic nature of these crimes, arguing that physical harm was not the sole reason, and that pleasure was derived from terrorising and controlling the victims. Benedict Birnberg, a civil rights lawyer, who represented Brady, identifies a type of anger in Brady that is directed at institutions newspapers, doctors and solicitors. Birnberg believes this anger is a part of Brady’s pathology that allows him to keep going. By committing these murders Brady proved to himself he was above morality and Harrison suggests that through the creation of his killing cult of Brady and Hindley, he was able to construct his own reality to help make sense of his existence. Coid attributes the spiritual connection with Hindley as part of Brady’s initial battle when imprisoned. Brady felt betrayed when Hindley broke up with him; to Brady it symbolised the destruction of his preeminent power, leading to further deterioration in his mental health. Lord Longford’s campaign for Hindley’s release during the 1980’s angered Brady and motivated him into revealing information about the murders and Hindley's complicity. This also allowed Brady to regain control over his crimes - he assisted in a search for the body of Keith Bennet. The body remained undiscovered however and Malcolm MacCulloch who treated Brady suggests he may have used this as a chance to revisit the site of the crime but withheld information to once more gain control over the whole situation. Religious Studies Teacher, Alan Keigthley, recognises a difference in Brady’s intelligence and believes this led him to his dismissal of psychiatric help. Jackie Powell reveals instructions she received from Brady including a letter to Winnie Johnson that was not to be opened until after Brady’s death. Wivell argues this is a final victory dance from Brady. Wivell concludes this is not an act of empathy or remorse but just another one of his cruel power games, demonstrating Brady’s desire for control is still as strong as it was fifty years ago.