THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 103 was a thoughtful, compassionate, tragic, true story of the transatlantic plane that crashed over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988. The film details the unimaginable investigation that followed after 270 lives were immediately lost along with 11 locals when the jet exploded and crashed over this small village community. It is an inspirational movie depicting how tenacious and dedicated the investigators were to find justice for the victim’s families. It shows how no stone was left unturned even though the crime scene was scattered over 850 square miles and involved experts working together from 21 countries.
The pacing was a slow burn at times. BBC Film Production did an incredible job making sure many of the key, intimate moments were created accurately. This was a time when the FBI and the CIA did not have today’s, modern tracking tools. Older sleuthing techniques were all they had, that produced thousands of interviews across the globe. It was the early stages of learning how to deal with terrorist groups who had a grudge against the United States. This was also before our country knew how to deal with hate-filled, radicalized organization. There was a learning curve that had to be met and would pave the way for how America’s Justice Department would eventually treat the families who suffered the loss if a loved one. This was all demonstrated with tender care by the brilliant actors who portrayed key roles in this horrendous incident. Bravo…simply bravo.
Sometimes we don’t take the time to process such a tremendous loss of lives because it might not touch us personally. THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 103 spotlighted a different perspective. It allowed the audience to not only see the number of body bags neatly arranged and tagged across an ice rink floor, (because the morgues were filled to capacity) but also to share the endless moments of kindness Lockerbie gave unconditionally to everyone involved. The film did not hold back in sharing the shock and eventual toll this 12 year journey took from everyone’s lives. It changed paradigms and united humanity in ways that are still being discovered with the descendants of the dead. Justice dies not always bring closure. Our connections to each other does. Kudos for making this point so crystal clear.
THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 103 might not be for everyone, but I have to say it is worthy of your time and empathy. Life can be a short journey for many. Those poor, innocent souls never knew what would hit them as walked together and boarded. Their goal was to make it home for the holidays. This film is an intelligent, gentle reminder as to how fragile all of us are. May we never forget.
THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 103 is streaming on Netflix.
