Sophie: A Murder in West Cork

I really wanted to like this more, but it's two quarts of plot in a five gallon pot.

I should say up front that the cinematography is gorgeous, the soundtrack and music are expertly done, it has all the current tropes of a streaming documentary (though perhaps a bit too much use of the interview gimmick where the subject stares silently into the camera as their voiceover plays on the soundtrack), and within the first fifteen minutes I wanted to visit Schull; after the first hour I wanted to live there.

That said, stretching this documentary out to about three hours of episodes seems more like a contract fulfillment than a need to tell a long story. There are very few cliffhangers; and while Episode 1 ends on a suitably Wow note, the story sort of bumbles along after that, mindful of the need to have long, gorgeous shots of scenery in between interviews so as to not reach present day too quickly.

While the case is practically entirely circumstantial, there is a lot of evidence implicating the chief suspect, with little to none pointing elsewhere and no other plausible suspects to talk about. Our suspect's chief defense seems to be simply saying that he didn't do it, over and over, and as we are now used to seeing how a trace of DNA can nail someone to the wall even decades after the crime occurred, the absence of much new insight into the case now makes one wonder why the film was made. As we moved through Episode 2, it seemed like Episode 3 was going to be the final, modern-day resolution at last. It wasn't.

I felt incredible sadness for the family of Sophie, and also the betrayal by the judicial system in Ireland. From the DPP who wouldn't prosecute and dismissed domestic violence as "one of those things that happen", to the incompetence and corruption of the Gardia, and even the attitude of the Coroner who didn't arrive on the murder scene until days later. Maybe the murder of a woman didn't warrant a speedy response. Also, the self serving 'key witness' who was out with her ex-boyfriend that night, but felt her own welfare came above the murder of an innocent woman when it came to her conflicting statements. I found the partner of Ian Bailey blinded by the extreme violence and abuse suffered at the hands of the 'poet' and maybe if she hadn't stuck by him for so long, justice would have been served. Mostly, I found the egotistical, angry, self indulgence of Ian Bailey the hardest thing to stomach. Here we have a violent man, with extreme sexual fantasies, lying to the audience in a vain attempt to attract pity. Where is the justice for Sophie, and how can a community life with such a man?

This documentary was overall well done, clearly exposing the person who committed the murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier. It was very helpful to include her family in the interviews.

There were several missing aspects to the story that I wish were included. First, it would have been helpful to have interviewed Jules. However my guess is that she was intimidated by the suspect and feared retribution.

Secondly, interviewing the forensic pathologist who did the autopsy would also have been helpful. What were the specific findings? Did they collect samples from the perineum, the mouth, the fingernails, etc.? Did they save the clothing she wore that night? DNA profiling was first used in 1987 in Florida. Surely the pathologist was aware of that forensic test even if they weren't using it. By saving clothing, etc., the testing could've been done later.

Lastly, how was the crime scene managed? Did they cordon off the path to the the house as well as the house itself? Did they look through out the house, looking for stains, hairs, finger prints and use Luminol to document the presence of blood inside? Did they check in detail the thorny bush for blood??? So many unanswered questions.

Locard's Principle used in forensic studies states, 'everything leaves a trace'. Was this the exception to that rule?? A miscarriage of justice for Sophie and her family.

Who killed the beautiful Sophie Toscan du Plantier, a hugely talented Frenchwoman, who sadly died in Cork in 1996.

Netflix do this kind of documentary series very well, this is another strong example. A very sad story, one that seems to continue, the famous Bailey case.

You get the background, the area, the scene, the crime, the suspect, and a resolution.....of sorts.

It could have been told over two episodes, it's true it is a little dragged out in parts, but it's a very intriguing story.

Some think the answers are black and white, and obvious, I'm perhaps a little more sceptical, give it a watch, and see what you think.

Very watchable, 7/10.

Good overview of a story I remember from all those years ago (I'm Irish). The pain of sophie's family is harrowing, the limitations of evidence frustrating, all that's left is gut human instinct of who is really telling the truth?