Grenfell Uncovered

It is striking that what the wealthy residents of Kensington and Chelsea deemed derelict - the Grenfell Tower, considered an eyesore threatening the value of their multi-million-pound homes - would come to symbolise a far more tragic dereliction of duty: the failure to protect the lives of its own residents.

In what proved to be a fateful and fatal cost-cutting decision, the council opted to save just £5,000 by replacing the recommended fire-retardant zinc cladding with combustible aluminium composite material (ACM). The cost? Seventy-two lives lost, and countless more irrevocably altered - through grief, PTSD, and guilt borne by survivors, first responders, and even the emergency call operators who repeated the doomed "stay put" advice.

This documentary seeks to answer the question that still haunts the public: who is responsible? The supplier knew the material posed fire risks, yet continued selling it in countries with lax building codes, including the UK. There had been numerous international precedents of ACM-fueled fires. In most, casualties were avoided. A 2014 fire in a Melbourne high-rise, for example, involved 400 residents and resulted in zero deaths - thanks to swift evacuation procedures.

The warnings were there. After a 2009 fire in London claimed six lives, a coroner urged reforms to fire safety legislation. The British government ignored them. One senior official is even alleged to have said, "Show me the bodies."

This film offers a definitive and devastating examination of the Grenfell disaster, interwoven with harrowing testimonies from survivors and first responders. In the end, the tragedy stands as a damning indictment of a system warped by corporate greed, corner-cutting, and governmental neglect. Because really - what else could it be?

I watched Grenfell: Uncovered because I remember the tragedy vividly when it happened. Being originally from London, I was deeply shocked seeing it unfold on the news - knowing how many lives were affected made it all the more real.

What stood out immediately was the shocking blame placed on an individual for supposedly starting the fire due to a faulty fridge. Even worse, I was disgusted by how people online targeted him because he was Muslim. What's race got to do with it? That kind of response shows how quick some are to scapegoat, instead of focusing on the real causes.

The documentary was an eye-opener. It revealed how the company responsible for the cladding tested their materials and knew they were unsafe, yet those materials were still used. It's horrifying to think that corners were cut - possibly just to make the building look better - at the cost of lives.

Despite all this, the bravery of the firefighters left me in awe. To go into a burning high-rise knowing the risk, trying to save as many people as possible... I can't imagine what they went through that night.

It was emotional hearing the voices of survivors from such a diverse community. You could feel the trauma in their stories, and the documentary didn't shy away from the rawness of it. I didn't know much about the public inquiries before watching this, but I came away angry - especially at how the council prioritised appearance over safety, and how poor training or decision-making from various authorities might've played a part.

There's clearly a lot of finger-pointing going on, but what's painfully obvious is that this disaster was avoidable. Cheap materials, ignored warnings, and a government slow to respond - it's a tragedy that still hasn't seen proper justice.

This documentary is important. It informs, it moves you, and most of all, it reminds us that this should never have happened - and can't be allowed to happen again.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10)

I wasn't in the UK when the Grenfell Tower tragedy happened, and I hadn't followed the news much at the time, but watching this documentary has been absolutely heart-wrenching.

It's a powerful, raw, and respectful account of the people affected, the lives lost, the survivors' trauma, and the sheer scale of injustice. The way it's structured gives space for voices that need to be heard, and it doesn't let you look away from the deep failures that led to such unimaginable loss.

The documentary doesn't sensationalise, it humanises. You feel the grief, the anger, the disbelief. It's devastating, but important. I cried. I got angry. And I was left thinking about how preventable it all was.

10 stars. Everyone should watch this.

As an American...especially in these unimaginable trump presidency days... this documentary is the flashing neon sign reminding me (and hopefully many others) that the desire to be less regulated by government is like crossing your fingers.

When are more people going to understand that the people driving the "less regulation" train is big business?

Why does it take tragedy after tragedy in places all around the world to remind people that big businesses and government will almost always choose profit & lower cost OVER people's lives?

An oil spill, this fire, a train derailed-and everyone seems to remember why regulations are needed. But the loopholes for govt & big businesses are found & within a few days - some people resort back to screaming for "less regulation".

This documentary is a reminder that when money drives your travel, shelter, food, health, etc - regulations & enforcement of them, shouldn't only become important when a disaster like this touches your life.

Those responsible need to be held accountable!

Grenfell Uncovered is a harrowing, necessary watch-but what's most disturbing is what hasn't happened. The documentary lays bare the tragic sequence of failures, greed, and neglect that led to 72 needless deaths. It's a sobering account, yet years later, no one has been held accountable. No justice, no charges-just silence and bureaucracy. The film reignites fury, forcing us to confront a system that allowed this disaster and continues to protect those responsible. It's an indictment, not just of the fire, but of the inaction that followed.

Money Rules :(