Love and Hate: The Story of Colin and Joanne Thatcher

This is one Canadian TV drama you won't want to miss considering the fact that almost 20 years following the brutal slaying of Joanne Thatcher by her estranged husband - former Saskatchewan cabinet minister Colin Thatcher, he remains in the news every now and then with his efforts to be released from jail and he continues to maintain his innocence. This made-for-TV mini series is a chilling account of the events surrounding the lives of C & J Thatcher with veteran Canadian actor Kenneth Welsh as the cold and calculating Colin Thatcher and Kate Nelligan as Joanne, a woman who endured his physical and emotional abuse even after their divorce as her maniacal husband will not stop unless he has sole custody of the children. Welsh's portrayal of Thatcher as a completely selfish and extremely violent individual and who uses his wealth and political power over others earned him a deserving Gemini award.

This story shocked Canadians. It all seemed so sordid and sensational - not something that would happen in Canada. Powerful politician and rancher Colin Thatcher (Welsh) might have become a true titan of Canadian politics but booze, womanising and a temper of near legend got in the way not merely of political greatness but ruined his marriage.

This TV movie captures as much of how real life in Canada can resemble a night-time soap opera. Welsh's over the top performance is in keeping with one of those sensationalistic TV miniseries except Thatcher in real-life was far scarier.

Excellent ensemble cast assembled here but it didn't quite make for the result the CBC had hoped for vis a vis ratings. I'd still broadcast it and rebroadcast it, perhaps even make a sequel. This story remains so incredibly shocking when you note that Colin Thatcher had every advantage in life including being born into one of the most powerful families in the place he was from.

If you are American think of it as a Kennedy-type or a Bush-type becoming a Secretary of Energy in a State where his father was once a two-term governor and being looked to as a potential future governor himself, have a picture perfect wife and children but cause his life to implode via his own narcissistic tendencies.

No matter what you say Colin's pupil's did when you met him...thank god that isn't used by police forces to determine who is lying or not... Colin T CAUSED the death of his ex-wife whether or not he was the shooter or not. End of story. He deserved every day he spent in jail. And if he actually managed to brainwash his weak minded son Greg, into doing the murder, double shame on him. Colin Thatcher is scum, and so are his sons. I don't imagine any of them will ever find peace...after how they treated, and what they did to their loving mother.

This movie was very well acted and Welsh did deserve his Gemini award for his chilling portrayal of CT. How backwards things seem 'way' back in the 80's when politicians could tell a female reporter to 'get back into the kitchen'.

To the person who said Thatchers pupils didn't dilate so he didn't commit the murder in your opinion. There is simply one important factor you left out. When one is a NARCISSIST, as Thatcher CLEARLY IS, they lack having a conscience or empathy! NO CONSCIENCE means they can even pass lie detectors half the time! Narcissists can be the most charming people you will meet! Like a snake charmer! Don't fall for the B.S. because that is exactly what Thatcher fed you! A bunch of B.S. HE IS GUILY AS SIN!!!!!!! And I too have been following this case since I was about ten years old! I'm 44 now. Nothing can convince me he didn't do it! He killed his very own wife for pity sake! Does it get worse than what he did? I don't think so!

I had the chance to meet Mr. Thatcher 12 years after I saw this movie. Seeing the movie and actually meeting the man in person was quite the experience. He had wished me luck in my future. The place I met him was in Saskatchewan Penitentiary while he was facing charges for threatening an R.C.M.P. officer during his 2001 Judicial Review. I walked around the prison yard with him and he described his years in prison. I asked him if he did the crime and he looked me straight in the eye and told me that he didn't. There is something that happens in a person's eye pupils if they are lying and that sure didn't happen when he said he didn't kill his wife. He may have not been the Father or Husband of the year but that doesn't mean he is a murderer. Since Canada has abolished the Death Penalty back on July 17, 1976, the police forces of Canada (R.C.M.P, E.P.S., W.P.S. etc. etc.) have been laying more and more 1st Degree Murder charges based on circumstantial evidence. Don't forget Canada rarely used DNA evidence like they do now so ask yourselves "Could there be possibly another innocent man in prison?" AGAIN. I believe his eldest son Greg Thatcher may have been the killer all along because he also hated his mom too based on the hatred that instilled in him by Mr. Thatcher back in the 80's. I have followed the case since the movie in 89 and read all the Appeal decisions regarding the case and I know come to a serious conclusion that this man is really innocent !!