To think some crimes should not be turned into a drama

[Mtngfres]

Flicking through Netflix and came across 'Maxine'. Realised to my horror that it was a true crime drama about Maxine Carr and the Soham murders 20 years ago. Think it was on TV last year but never heard about it.

I actually felt quite sick and no way I would be able to watch it.

I have watched True crime dramas in the past - The Sixth commandment for example was well done and you could tell it had been done with information and consent of families too. It was still hard to watch.

However, Crime dramas about child murder that many of us still remember on the news just feels too much. Not sure what consent was obtained from victim families either but it just feels wrong to dramatise.

I know it's all about viewing figures though and people always watch these programmes so I won't be surprised if they dramatise other terrible crimes that are best left alone.

I disagree but I think it's important to tell the story accurately and sensitively. I think the Saville series is an example of how to do it well. They're telling the story but interspersing it with testimony from the victims - people who up until this point never had a voice.

If the series is sensationalised or gratuitous then that's different but in the case of Holly and Jessica, there will be many who've never heard of this case and in a way it's reminding people these poor girls did exist and their lives counted. If the families strongly objected, then I might be inclined to think differently but sometimes if they're fine well, these programmes can honour the victims plus help others come to terms with the horrific things that happened to them.

The people on the Hamas/Israel thread are interested in Hamas/Israel. The people on the True Crime on Telly thread are interested in Trues Crime on Telly.

It’s not difficult.

This always bothered me, as someone who has been in an abusive relationship I can completely see why she thought she had no choice. Plus she wasn't there when he commited the crime, she could never have changed the outcome of what happened. Obviously she should have told the police from the outset but I don't think she deserved anywhere near the hate that he deserved, yet they were pretty much equally vilified

I totally agree with your first paragraph. As someone who was sexually abused as a child I can say that being believed gives you a lot of closure. When the man that abused me was spared prison it was so comforting when he was finally convicted a few years after (for crimes against others).

Savile was the first of these true crime things I've watched. I thought it was informative (I had no idea about the details, including necrophilia rumours) and would be useful in educating those people who said they had doubts.

I felt the same. The programme showed how audacious and nauseating Savile was as a person. I thought too that the reactions of his victims was very well done. There was no salaciousness only a tormented child's reaction

I watched Maxine the other night. I was interested because I worked for the police years after on the bichard enquiry. I do know where you are coming from though

I've just come across this series and shocked its there, it's just still seems too recent and must be so hard for the girls families to see this advertised etc too. RIP always to those two beautiful angels.

This made me laugh far to much 😂

Why?

I don’t consider myself to be lacking a sense of humour and I certainly have an (unhealthy, according to some!) interest in true crime. But mockery is different.

I think many young people now would struggle to comprehend the level of sexism and misogyny in the UK in the 70s, and the Long Shadow portrays this well imo

This. I was born in the mid 70s so didn't really know what it was like then. My heart broke for Marcella Claxton and the awful way she was treated