Fred et Rose West: Un cauchemar britannique

I had never heard of these crimes, which are apparently very famous in the UK. This documentary is more about the never before released police interviews of Fred West, who was arrested for murders and sex crimes committed in his home where he buried the bodies in his cellar and his patio - including some of his own children.

The doc leads you to think Fred is the mastermind until (plot twist) it turns out maybe his wife Rose had more to do with these crimes than the police originally suspected, and then the documentary focuses on the police trying get Fred into confessing against Rose. What follows is the sensational trial that concluded these horrible affairs.

After this documentary, I felt I had more questions than answers so I decided to watch a few other documentaries (on YouTube) about the couple. What I leaned is that their crimes are quite a bit worse than this documentary hints at. Also, Rose was not only involved, but she was, in fact, infamously the mastermind behind most of the crimes. Fred was the Igor to her Dr. Frankenstein.

This documentary could have had another her episode to learn more about Rose, her tragic upbringing, and why a pedophile like Fred West could have inspired her into becoming a sexual sadistic serial killer and even include some of her own children.

Harrowing documentary, however, chunks of key details and Info left out/missing. If you've never watched a documentary regarding the story before then you'll probably find it really good, whereas for myself I've watched a few docs over the years about it which were a bit more in depth and included extra details etc.

All in all a very decent documentary regarding the shocking story but lacking key details, evidence and info. Three relatively short episodes which you can binge in one night so it's definitely worth a viewing especially if you've never seen a documentary regarding it before. 7/10.

The documentary feels rushed and that it needed another three episodes at least.

Key events such as Fred's brain injury, Rose's relationship with her father, more background on Rena and Ann McFall, the possibility that other victims such as Mary Bastholm may exist are all missed. Whilst some victims are given some coverage and family interviews conducted, an episode giving background on each victim would have emphasised the person behind the victim.

The new footage is interesting but seems to be the whole purpose behind the documentary rather than an attempt to add further context to the events being described.

Ironically Howard Sounes' (contributor and producer) own podcast contained much more information on this subject than contained in this documentary.

Frankly there have been channel 5 documentaries that are more detailed and informative.

Netflix's Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story aims to revisit one of Britain's most notorious serial killer cases, but ultimately falls short by omitting key details that could have provided a more comprehensive understanding of the crimes.

The three-part series does offer some compelling elements, such as previously unseen police footage and interviews with journalists and investigators. However, it largely fails to delve into the psychological dynamics between Fred and Rose West, their backgrounds, and the systemic failures that allowed their crimes to continue unchecked for decades. The documentary touches on the discovery of nine bodies at their Gloucester home and briefly mentions the abuse of their children, but it doesn't explore the full extent of their depravity or the impact on the victims' families.

Critics have pointed out that the series feels superficial and voyeuristic, lacking in-depth analysis or new information. For instance, it doesn't adequately address the role of Janet Leach, the "appropriate adult" during Fred's police interviews, who later testified about Rose's involvement in the murders. Additionally, the documentary doesn't explore the possibility of other victims, despite Fred's claims of having killed more than the confirmed number.

While the series may serve as an introduction for those unfamiliar with the case, it misses the opportunity to provide a deeper, more insightful examination of the Wests' crimes and their lasting impact. By focusing primarily on the sensational aspects, the documentary overlooks the complexities and nuances that could have offered a more meaningful narrative.

In conclusion, Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story presents a chilling tale but ultimately lacks the depth and detail necessary to fully comprehend the horror and implications of the Wests' actions.

I don't understand the negative reviews. I found this a compelling mini series. The police footage was intriguing. I had never seen it before. This was a human story that really took the family of the victims into account in a thoughtful way. If you just want gore details then you may be disappointed but for me, it was dark enough. A true life horror story that shone a light on the cruelty and depravity some human beings are capable of. Including many of the people involved in the case then and as they are now brought an added dimension. This documentary stayed with me after viewing. I appreciate Netflix makes by a sensitive, watchable documentary that didn't stoop to gutter level.