Une Affaire Française

This is not a documentary but a fiction based on real facts and which tells of a failure of the French justice in a case of child murder, and the media and legal storm that shook an entire family and public opinion almost as much as the murder of the child, and which no one living at the time will ever be able to completely forget. The French know how to make TV films and prove it once again: this one, in 4 episodes, is very well scripted, very well directed and very well played by excellent sober and sensitive actors. The TV movie, which obviously cannot cover all the facts and multiple twists and turns of the affair up to the present day as well as a Wikipedia page, is an excellent synthesis very respectful towards the protagonists of the affair whose many are, 37 years after the fact, still alive. Everything is not completely dark in this TV movie as it also presents with great modesty part of the story of remarkable and exemplary marital love.

Thus was a fascinating faction series about a case that shook France. In six episodes, the programme followed the twists and turns of an increasingly incompetent investigation.

The gendarmes led by their decent and honest captain were clearly not up to the job and were despised by the city cops who took over. However, these latter were just as bad but far more venal. Both sets of cops were hampered by a weak and vacillating examining magistrate. Unfortunately his bungling and character flaws led to more tragedy and unnecessary exposure to vilification of some of the main players.

Framed through the eyes of a couple of invented characters for much of the time, the programme deviated from real life on occasion for dramatic effect.

Despite anyone of my age knowing the vague outlines of the story, the amount of detail was fascinating and the factual information given at the end of each episode was germane.

I watched this in a 36 hour period and thoroughly enjoyed it while at the same time being shocked at the injustices going on and the terrible consequences flowing from them.

Une Affaire Française

Warning: the text at the beginning and end of each episode contains spoilers. Why they did this I cannot imagine.

If this was produced as a fictional drama it would have seen as completely unrealistic and be panned by one and all.

The fact that it is based on a real case is simply shocking.

The bungling ineptitude of so many ranking officials is beyond comprehension: The judge who was more interested in promoting his career than doing his job.

The completely obnoxious and narcissistic journalist who decided who should be charged and did all he could to make it happen. No thought of the consequences, his arrogance was beyond measure.

The city inspector who was only interested in charging somebody and furthering his career.

The rat pack of frenzied journalists. Really, did they behave this way? Shades of the hounding of the Royals in the UK.

This is a drama may have you shouting at the screen at the injustice of it all, it really is that bad.

One aspect that puzzles me was that no investigation appeared to take place in tracing down the letters that Christine was supposed to have post-ed. Surely the postmark on the envelopes, should they be found, have proven which day they were posted on.