McLibel (film)

McLibel is a 1997 documentary film directed by Franny Armstrong and Ken Loach (credited as Ken Sieve) about the "McLibel case," the longest-running English trial in history. The film documents the legal battle between McDonald's Corporation and two London Greenpeace activists, Helen Steel and Dave Morris, who were sued for distributing a leaflet entitled "What's Wrong With McDonald's?"

The film follows Steel and Morris as they defend themselves against McDonald's libel suit, highlighting the considerable disparity in resources between the two sides. It explores the various issues raised by the leaflet, including McDonald's impact on the environment, animal welfare, and worker's rights. It also features interviews with experts and former McDonald's employees.

McLibel was initially made on a low budget and distributed primarily through screenings and by selling VHS copies. In 2005, after a European Court of Human Rights ruling that the McLibel trial was unfair, Armstrong made the film available for free download. The film has been translated into several languages and has been widely used by activists and educators. A sequel, "McLibel 2: Burger Culture on Trial," was released in 2005.