My Review - Lockerbie
A Search for Truth
Streaming on Foxtel
My Rating 8/10
The shocking and savage terrorist bombing on December 21st 1988 that bought down Pan Am Flight 103 over a small town named Lockerbie in Scotland affected countless thousands of people including the 270 families and friends of the 259 passengers and crew on board and the 11 residents of Lockerbie that perished.
This 5 part series based on the book by Peter Biddulph and created for television by David Harrower and Jim Swire tells the true story of one of those many families .
Dr Jim Swire played with quiet sensitivity and skill by Master British actor Colin Firth his wife and two children lost their daughter and sister Flora who was a passenger on Flight 103.
It may sound an odd compliment but I'm often reminded of Britains other living acting treasure Dame Judi Dench when I'm watching a Colin Firth movie.
Like Judi Dench he has an incredible acting range and can play an everyday ordinary man, a King ,a secret agent or spy ,a romantic or comedy lead or even sing a vulnerable and touching version of "Our Last Summer ."in Mama Mia .
His character Doctor Jim Swire makes it his life's task to bring the terrorist or terrorists to justice but faces cover ups and the Prime Minister of the time Margaret Thatchers refusal to initiate an independent inquiry into the cause and culpability of the attack .
His obsession to find justice has consequences for his family life Jane Swire his wife is suffering ongoing trauma as Jim's participation in their remaining family suffers due to his preoccupation with finding evidence to bring the suspects to trial in The Netherlands.
Actress Catherine McCormack also gives a superb performance as Jane Swire her character had my sympathy throughout the series as she desperately wants Jim to move on from the past ,especially when the other families affected turn on him for seeking the release of the convicted Libyan man Abdelbaset Al- Megrahi who Jim is now convinced was framed and is innocent.
This terrible event in 1988 14 years be for the attack on The World Trade Centre was pivotal in the escalation of the modern airport security we thankfully experience today .
I also think after seeing the series that this event perhaps help start the fake news era we live in today where Fear can lead to False Evidence Appearing Real and there was plenty of false evidence involved in the Lockerbie tragedy.
The fear of Governments losing valuable oil rights plus the fear of reprisals or retaliation if the truth is revealed caused diplomatic coverups .
The very human story of this family touched by tragedy made this horrible event in our history seem more pertinent and made Lockerbie an interesting and informative one off series for me.
