Emanuela Orlandi, la disparue du Vatican

Let's get rid of one aspect upfront: as several reviews remark, the documentary drags a little here and there; could've been 3 episodes maybe? Yes probably.

But - is this really the point?

No, I done think so. This is a tragic story and had to be told; and re-told over and over again.

The documentary has the big merit of laying on the table all the facts and the underlying theories, from the most credible to the obviously fake, behind the Orlandi case in a rather objective and lucid manner.

And while, as expected, the documentary offers no culprit, it leaves the viewer with a well documented certainty: whatever the truth is, there is only one knowing it: the Vatican. And the Vatican keeps hiding it; and this is an insult to the family, to the justice system and to their faithfuls.

Considering the huge cost in terms of reputation damage this is causing to the Vatican, the benefit of doing it must be bigger. So it must be VERY big.

An extraordinary documentary about how The Vatican covered up the disappearance of one of their own. I thought I knew a lot about The Church's corruption, turns out covering up hundreds of years of paedophilia was just the beginning. Their links to organised crime, international political corruption, potential human trafficking are all on show. However at the centre, is a real, grieving family who dedicated their lives to this organisation and still have no answers, 40 years on. Every person needs to know this story. Especially every Catholic.

If you thought the British Royal Family was a mess, Trump's America a ridiculous reality show, and the circumstances around JFK's death a puzzle, welcome to the Vatican!

I've appreciated the courage of the journalists and the reconstruction of this very muddy story.

It is a little bit too kitsch in some passages, but it is very useful and well mounted.

I hope that this will contribute to re-open the case and to give some relief to this very suffering family.

It is not known whether this new media attention will even succeed in reopening the judicial investigation, which had been archived for years: "Difficult - declares Pietro Orlandi - until I find a magistrate who wants to put his finger on and start over to get to understand. So far. There was no one. Someone tried. But then he was excluded from the case. The Vatican suits everyone and everyone suits the Vatican.

Very long and drawn out but unfortunately is exactly what this poor family have had to endure for most of their lives. One review thought it was one sided but when the Vatican have refused to comment, take part, provide any other facts or show the slightest bit of compassion to this dignified family it can only lead to the obvious conclusion. The church can no longer hide these dreadful crimes and say no comment without defending themselves. This is the real reason populations are deserting the churches. Too much of their abhorrent behaviour has come to light. So many are no longer sheep but some have been lambs unwittingly to a miserable slaughter. They all need justice.

If you are looking for a great mystery story around the Vatican this is for you. Not about its history but showing one of the greatest powerful scandals that has never been confirmed by these church authorities.

It's a well done documentary which has been worked out with each possible kidnapping theory about the Vatican girl Emanuela Orlandi.

Until today nobody heard the truth behind this criminal case. I was never boring.

My rating for these series of 7 out 10 matches the actual one of 7.2.

God stays Emanuela near to her.

If you are interested in intriguing true stories don't miss My Daughters Killer or The Serpent.