The Crooked House: A Black Country Tragedy

Directed by Luke Reader

2026

An iconic Black Country pub that made the national news in 2023 for all the wrong reasons is the central focus of a new local documentary. The historic location, closed at the time, was destroyed by fire and then demolished contrary to authorities advice.

This new documentary from local filmmaker Luke Reader aims to explore the pub’s history and the events that unfolded during that turbulent year and its knock-on effects. And he has interviewed a number of people, all with strong local connections to the building, to give context to what happened.

We open with some scene-setting old footage - possibly VHS - where we briefly hear a potted history of the pub. Built around 1765, flooding and mining caused the pub to subside giving it its unique “crooked” appearance, which leans three times further than the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa (!)

All the staples of documentaries are there - archival footage, a host who knows his onions, and some animated sections to illustrate the circumstances of the situation. And the importance of the pub, not just for tourists but giving nearby locals a sense of heart and community, is conveyed well.

A few improvements in the documentary’s style could have raised the bar. Another pass on the narration and changing up the interview locations, which all take place in one place, could have enhanced the piece. No doubt owing to the limitation of getting everyone together, more assortment in the location of those speaking may have added a little more interest to the visuals.

The interviews include a local Counsellor and local campaigners and pub patrons - all who share warm memories alongside their obvious sadness at the pub’s destruction. Their tales of a famous “goose”, its friendly customers and the family occasions that took place there serve to make its demise all the more heart-breaking.

As the true story comes to light, we are told of the company debt that led to the closure of the pub in the first instance - not its actual footfall or popularity. And then its suspicious fire following that. And ending with the final nail in the coffin as developers went against written advice and tore down what was left.

More positively though, are the efforts of these people and their campaign to regenerate the area, and even taking steps to rebuild the pub brick-by-brick to retain the heritage of the area.

A little “home-made” and rough-around-the-edges, “A Black Country Tragedy” perhaps needs a tad more polish at times. What isn’t in doubt though, is its hugely passionate exploration of the wonky pub and the people who are determined to remember this historic piece of local history. An engrossing and charming documentary.

Support the campaign here https://www.savethecrookedhouse.com

★★★½

3.5 / 5

Michael Sales

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