Der Fall Jens Söring - Tödliche Leidenschaft

I give this one a solid 8 and would have given it a 10 if they hadn't drawn it out because I think the series could have wrapped up in less time. Anyway, the two main characters, wow are they sociopathic clever I'll give them that one. I don't want to add details because I don't want to spoil it, but the twists in this, the sheer creepy natural style of the two makes the hairs on your neck stand up. I can only say that I wish the crime investigation tech of today had been available back then. I watched this in a morning (I wake up really early) and couldn't stop. The investigative side and commentary woven in makes this a well done documentary. I'll say remember one word 'passion'...in more ways than one.

Back in April 1985, The Police are alerted to the home of Derek and Nancy Haysom, who have both been brutally murdered. Police are keen to talk to their daughter Elizabeth, and boyfriend Jens Söring, but the pair have fled the country.

It's a fascinating, bizarre story, which for me, after watching this, is still unresolved. I was as muddled by the end, as I was at the start.

What on Earth really happened, there's so much information, but it's so hard to put the pieces together, it seems that people are firmly in his or her camp, could it not just simply have been a case of both of them did it, and aimed to make it all so messy and complex?

You are only hearing one side, as only Jens Söring speaks, you don't hear from from Elizabeth outside of the trials and Police interviews.

I'm going to say it again, did it need to be four episodes long, the first episode could easily have been edited down, as could the fourth.

7/10.

It's been a while since I've seen a criminal documentary, the truth is that this one is very well documented. Very detailed and with very good moments in the courtroom, realistic and without actors, I loved that. Well.. almost all of them are the real characters of the investigation and the crime.

The story is strong, with real images of the crime, be careful if you are sensitive to this type of story, it can give you nightmares. The documentary is very exciting and has 4 episodes that keeps you on the edge of the seat. It has terrifying moments and those that leave you stunned.

There is more than enough evidence to imprison them both, the letters between Elizabeth and Jens are the best example. If the crime was committed by Elizabeth or Jens, or both, only they will know. We will never know, although the movie tickets made me doubt, but the truth is that I don't know, it's quite complicated. That they deserve jail, that's certainly clear to me.

Jens uses his intelligence to turn the story around, very credible in my opinion. He served more than 30 years in prison, so there is a reasonable doubt. It is clear that the help of powerful politicians and his diplomatic status also help him. Let's be honest, because of him they freed Elizabeth too, that seemed strange to me but logical at the same time.

Jens leaves prison very happy and cheerful, but I imagine that after more than 30 years, prison becomes your home, right? Or so I think. I also didn't mind that he spoke in German, it is his native language and he expresses himself better that way.

This documentary is very well made, one of the best crime documentaries I have seen in recent years, and I also did not know about this crime.

It is worth it from start to finish, it is scary and at the same time it is very psychological. As you can see, I am a fan, I recommend it without a doubt.

Of course, the Romeo and Juliet of the 1980s wouldn't end up like Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - they would become Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This is an intriguing and well-made 4-part true-crime documentary about two bookish, uppity Echols scholars who together planned and committed the murder of the girl's parents back in 1985. But who did what? And were they both to blame, or did one manipulate the other?

Unlike what many commenters on here seem to think, the series is actually made by a German crew, not an American one. Which arguably is one of the reasons why Jens speaks German in his new interviews. Another reason is obviously that he now lives in Germany and maybe is no longer that fond of the United States, which he claims are guilty of miscarriage of justice against him.

After watching the series, I don't really have any strong opinions as to who of the two did what, or who is more believeable. And that tells me the producers did a fairly good job in balancing their narrative. The series is not an apologia for Mr. Söring, even if the story he tells himself obviously is just that.

In summary, this is a story of star-crossed love, youthful arrogance/stupidity, and in all probability at least a certain amount of antisocial personality disorder(s).

All I can say without ruining or spoiling it is I was riveted. This story is so bananas it's hard to even believe but it's true, it happened. I remember seeing their faces on the tv when I was young but I don't remember what exactly what went down and if you don't know, I would advise you go in not knowing. It's better that way. Because at one point my jaw was on the floor. Basically it's the story of two high IQ rich kids with enormous egos who fall in love and develop a shared delusion based on literature works like Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. They then plan to murder the girl's parents so she could be "free." -insert rolled eyes emoji- You can binge watch this in a night and it's highly worth it.