Lockerbie

As Episode 1 of "Lockerbie: A Search for Truth" (2025 release from the UK; 5 episodes ranging from 48 to 61 minutes each) opens, it is "21st December 1988" and we are introduced to the Swire family in Bromsgrove, England. Flora Swire is about to leave for a trip to the US from Heathrow. Then disaster strikes as Pan Am 103 crashes, and all passengers and crew perish, as do 11 people on the ground in Lockerbie, Scotland. What exactly happened, and who did this? At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this min-series is based on Jim Swire's book of these events and its long aftermath, and hence the series reflects his perspective, and his only, as he searches for those responsible for this barbaric act of terrorism. As the years go by, Swire finds himself chasing ghosts, and battling his own government. Incredibly, the British government to this day, now 37 years later, have refused to instigate an independent investigation of the terrorist attack and has refused the release of multiple documents that could shed light on all of this. As to this mini-series, there is very little to be uplifted by this. Not that the script is weak or the performances are off (Colin Firth stars as Jim Swire), but because all of this is so incredibly depressing.

"Lockerbie: A Search For Truth" started streaming on Peacock some days ago. I watched all episodes over 2 evenings. This mini-series is currently rated 68% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and sounds about right to me. If you are curious what really happened when Pan Am Flight 103 was downed over Lockerbie, Scotland all those years ago, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

It is telling that part of the title of this miniseries is "a search for the truth." The implication being that it has not yet been found. I remember the incident well, the explosion and field of debris in the area of Lockerbie, Scotland, as the airliner was on its way from London to New York City.

Colin Firth is cast in the lead role, and is very effective, as Doctor Jim Swire. His young adult daughter was on that plane, he and the rest of his family were devastated by the news. Swire was not happy with what he and others were being told, it seemed that important information was being left out and/or not addressed. So he took it upon himself to dig deeper, and that search included traveling to Libya and meeting with Muammar Gaddafi. The program is based on his writings and thus has some bias to it.

A big part of what troubled Swire and others, a communication was found which warned of a bomb ahead of time, but apparently was only shared within USA and UK agencies. Then, right after the plane went down from the on-board explosion, agents showed up quickly as if they were already in Scotland and expected the event. That was very troubling if indeed that is what happened.

I found this five-part miniseries streaming on Peacock. I would have preferred a single movie of 90 to 120 minutes but I understand the business model, more running time generates more revenue. While it isn't a stellar watch it does provide interesting content for those who have an interest in the event.

This Sky TV series (now on Peacock) won't be everyone's cup o' tea. It's largely an intense recounting of the decades-long investigation into the Pan Am 103 bombing that technically remains unresolved. Episode 1 was riveting with a gut-wrenching reenactment of the airliner crash over Lockerbie Scotland. Some will find the rest of the series tedious, unless they enjoy investigative journalism and/or legal dramas. Colin First plays Dr. Jim Swire, the father of one of the bombing victims. Swire was obsessed with uncovering the truth - both for his daughter and eventually for the convicted Libyan man who he came to believe was innocent. The lengths he went to were incredible and startling. The attempts to spur an independent inquiry and the uncovering of the intricate details of the event were fascinating. I learned so much about this case. Like many people, I thought it was all settled, but another criminal trial is coming up in 2025. Overall, I found this to be a very compelling series.

I remember sitting with my parents when the news bulletin came in about Lockerbie, an event which shocked our nation. I had returned from my first trip to the USA that summer, working on a summer camp near Syracuse. A number of students from Syracuse had also worked there over the holiday. A group of them were on that flight, returning from a trip to London. I would not find out that friends of friends had lost several people on board that flight, several from one class alone, until many years later.

The narrative presented to the public about who & why was responsible was always confusing & convoluted and I was never entirely convinced by the official version.

Here we finally get the television drama this story deserves, told, perhaps wisely (though I am sure some will think it unfair) primarily from one family's perspective searching for the truth. I consider myself fairly educated on this subject, but this show brought several things to light that I was previously unaware of. What is very clear is that these families were lied to from the outset and facts were deliberately withheld from them.

Catherine McCormack gives the performance of her life as the grieving mother, with Colin Firth doing what he does best in the leading role. This series is not an easy watch, but as I have said before about similar productions, it is absolutely 100 percent essential viewing. Another stand out performance is that of Sam Troughton as the intrepid reporter chasing all the pieces of the jigsaw, while newcomer Jemma Carlton holds on her own against the heavyweights. Remember under Thatcher (don't get me started) there was no Public Inquiry into Hillsborough, Marchioness nor Lockerbie.

Naturally any drama taking on a topic as emotional tragic as this must be handled with care, sensitivity and respect for those directly impacted by the events. I won't presume to know their views, but I think they would be very satisfied with the powerful results we have here.

The crash itself is especially well handled. We see enough to know the utter horror of what they went through both in the air and on the ground but no more than is required.

This sequence is extremely well directed by Otto Bathhurst.

I urge you to watch it. The main theme here is everyone should always be held accountable for their mistakes. Otherwise those damaged by such events can't even begin to heal.

I highly commend the entire production team.

First class drama - watch it now.

I've only completed episode one at this point and I'm astounded by how I'm left feeling afterwards. This was always going to be a hard watch but in fact what is more powerful than its ability to break your heart is the giving us the audience a mere taste of how unbelievably shocking and life altering this event must have been for the residents of Lockerbie, the families of the passengers and the country as a whole. I was only eight at the time so had no real memory of this happening but from shielded to educated, I highly commend the series makers. It's beautifully made, acted and a just tribute to every victim.