Lockerbie: A Search For Truth Review

Since his daughter, Flora (Rosanna Adams) was killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on 21st December 1988, Doctor Jim Swire (Colin Firth) has led a campaign to find out the truth of what happened and to see those responsible brought to justice. It’s a campaign that has taken many turns, as the GP from Windsor was forced to navigate global politics and events, whilst dealing with generally uncooperative governments, potential cover-ups, and a waning public interest in the deadliest terrorist attack in UK history.

From the beginning, ‘Lockerbie: A Search For Truth’ is both harrowing and surreal. Seeing this tragic event from the oddly unique perspective of the residents in this small Scottish town, as the wreckage of Flight 103 rained down on them, is truly terrifying. While the aftermath is almost apocalyptic, as we survey a neighbourhood literally decimated. Needless to say, the crash site has been brilliantly but respectfully recreated. It’s actually quite strange, eerie even. There is a definite sense of helplessness, of ‘where do you even begin?’ But it’s the little things that really take you aback; like seeing piles of cutlery from the plane littering the floor. And yet, things only get stranger, somehow, after the event. In fact, this story of a father’s search for truth goes to some very unexpected places.

Colin Firth and Catherine McCormack deliver fantastic performances as Jim and Jane Swire, a couple who on that fateful night saw their family torn apart in the blink of an eye. Their portrayals of grief and the varying ways in which it affects them are raw and genuine. Firth – who spent time with the Swires in preparation for the miniseries – brings a fire and drive to Jim, but also an emptiness. It’s like something is missing from within him, which is understandable. As is his inability to rest until he gets some answers. While McCormack’s portrayal of Jane and her struggles with loss is particularly hard-hitting, as she is tormented by not only the death of her daughter but the horrific way in which it happened.

Strangely, you find yourself both feeling sorry for Jim and admiring him at the same time. The lengths he has gone to are mind-blowing, and the series does an excellent job of unravelling this incredibly convoluted story. I certainly wasn’t aware of some of the milestones of the case, not to mention the places that Jim’s campaign would take him. And none of it is likely to inspire faith in government, politicians, or even the justice system, as there is a real sense of interference by those in power. Jim’s interactions with Murray Guthrie (Sam Troughton) – an amalgam of journalists and experts who have reported on Flight 103 and aided Jim over the years – are enlightening. But the series also doesn’t shy away from the fact that Jim’s dedication may have cost him something beyond the loss he has already suffered.

Now, it is worth noting that ‘Lockerbie: A Search For Truth’ is based on Jim Swire’s book (The Lockerbie Bombing – A Father’s Search for Justice) which he wrote with Peter Biddulph. So the series does follow his beliefs about the incident and its aftermath. Although it doesn’t definitively say he’s right – even if the actions and apparent inaction of consecutive UK and US governments are suggestive – it is his perspective for the most part. Throughout the series, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi – an alleged Libyan intelligence officer and the only man convicted for the bombing – is brilliantly played by Ardalan Esmaili, who manages to humanise this most vilified man. Through Esmaili’s performance we see al-Megrahi in a very different light. But is this simply Jim’s impression of him? Was it real, or was it the role he played for Jim, and those representing him? We will likely never know. Then there’s the increasing amount of longer and longer time jumps, which may hint at the frustratingly long wait for answers that the families are continuing to endure, but it also leaves you wondering what we aren’t seeing, what has been skipped over or forgotten.

It may never go as far as challenging you to draw your own conclusions, but what the series does do very well is point out the discrepancies in the case, especially as the trial of al-Megrahi and Al Amin Khalifah Fhimah (Mudar Abbara) comes into focus. Which might just inspire or revitalise interest in the case. That said, despite a revitalised interest and Jim’s incredible campaign for answers, you can’t help but come away from this with a sense of hopelessness. Will the truth of Pan Am Flight 103 ever be known? Will those responsible ever be brought to justice? Unfortunately, with every passing year, this seems less and less likely.