Lockerbie: A Search for Truth

Colin Firth shines in the new limited series Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, which dives into the very real and tragic event of the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing that claimed over 200 lives and left no survivors from those who boarded the aircraft. It’s a chronological narrative that follows Dr Jim Swire – father of Flora, one of the unfortunate victims of the great tragedy – and his efforts to uncover the truth of the bombing and find justice for his daughter. Split into five episodes, each about an hour long, the show plays out over 20 years, expanding on moments of importance in the everchanging revelations and investigations surrounding the event.

A story with many sides, the historic bombing of the plane and its crash into the Scottish town of Lockerbie is quite a delicate and nuanced subject matter. Its ever-present theme of how big an impact one singular event can have on multiple different lives, and its effect even decades down the line, is a compelling throughline. This is emphasised greatly through archival footage littered across the series, showcasing real-life contentious reactions of everyday people and politicians all across the world, and the polarising discussions surrounding Jim’s actions and their consequences.

One other fascinating aspect of the piece is the trial and the courtroom sequences. The twists and turns and the intensity created by the score and sound design excel in drawing investment from the audience. Seeing the prosecution’s techniques, the deceit of those being cross-examined, and the disbelief of those watching gives weight to the idea of relentlessly chasing after the truth.

However, there are so many layers of emotions and perspectives to highlight that the five-episode limit is a detriment to the show’s ability to create depth and explore the complex dynamics and emotions at play. This is most evident in the series’ heavy reliance on time skips and montages to speed along the plot. Some key information and important emotional beats get lost because of the choice to only mention them in passing or contain them within these montages. This is particularly the case for Flora, who is the driving force for everything that Jim does.

Her death should have been a turbulent and profound journey for the family, but the grieving process for her comes across as very abrupt, which results in an emotional disconnect between the audience and Jim’s conviction. Another is the growing friendship between Jim and al-Megrahi. There are interesting themes to touch on here in terms of Jim and his self-serving act of kindness – his efforts to help al-Megrahi out, not because it’s what he feels is right, but because it’s what he feels is what needs to be done to bring justice for his daughter – could have been an interesting anchor in developing their dynamic. Instead, these moments are reduced to a rush of images and just one final moment of peace they have together.

All that said, Firth is excellent in the role of Jim. Viewers can feel, through the screen, the depth of his emotions: his conviction for truth and justice, the love he has for his daughter, and the genuine care he begins to develop for al-Megrahi. As he descends further into his obsession, whether it’s the trial or the appeal for al-Megrahi, and pushes the people he loves away, one can’t help but truly feel for him and understand his desire and relate to the conflict he feels regarding whether or not he’s doing the right thing.

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth isn’t a groundbreaking nor perfect adaptation of such a visceral tragedy. With dreary visuals and a lack of emotional depth and investment in the characters and relationship dynamics, the series can come across as a shallow and mediocre drama. However, the captivating performance by Firth, lots of intrigue in the courtroom scenes, and the well-executed glimpse into the trials keep the show steady and entertaining nonetheless.

Mae Trumata

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth is released on Sky on 2^nd January 2025.

Watch the trailer for Lockerbie: A Search for Truth here: