This documentary was very disappointing. Firstly, it could've been 2 episodes or even just 1 long one. They spent so much time discussing things not related to the actual case and the way they kept circulating back on the story rather than continuing to move forward was excruciating. Everyone interviewed was so dull and crusty (except the defence lawyer) so again made the story very dry and move even slower. By the time I could tell there was going to be no resolution to the story it was too late and I was too far in. I hate to say it but this was very dull to watch. Even with no real resolution I'm not left wanting more.
27 Reviews
Which is bad? The documentary or the investigation?
djastp26 September 2023
I'm not sure if the investigation itself was this bad, or the way the documentarians put together and edited this documentary makes the investigators look foolish. Were they trying to put together a lengthy series, but not having enough information, they put in every needless detail they could find? It's difficult to understand the timeline of when events happened or when certain individuals/groups became suspects or were eliminated. Then, in the middle of the second episode, we start going back into retrospective of who Jill Dando was and why she was loved. Didn't we already learn that at the beginning?
But then, when a newcomer looks into it things, there seems to be common sense used to discover connections. So is it a bad documentary, or actually a reflection on how poorly this investigation was done. They would provide details of evidence, and then make claims as to why somebody was a suspect, even though it doesn't correlate with the evidence . Nothing added up, but is it just bad footage, questioning, or editing?
Just felt frustrated watching it, not intrigued like I usually would be while watching a crime documentary...
But then, when a newcomer looks into it things, there seems to be common sense used to discover connections. So is it a bad documentary, or actually a reflection on how poorly this investigation was done. They would provide details of evidence, and then make claims as to why somebody was a suspect, even though it doesn't correlate with the evidence . Nothing added up, but is it just bad footage, questioning, or editing?
Just felt frustrated watching it, not intrigued like I usually would be while watching a crime documentary...
Part 3 never asked one question
feargal-9155829 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The question being where was Barry George when Jill was shot ? This was half eleven on morning of 26 April 1999. They didn't ask Barry himself who they managed to get who had put on a considerable amount of weight in 23 years since the events. He was never asked so he didn't have to volunteer the answer. They didn't ask the copper who lead the investigation had they determined his location at the time of the murder. They even showed police footage of him being interviewed but was never asked his location. Proving it was elsewhere would have straight away ruled him out .
This sort of question would have been asked on a popular crime television programme at the time The Bill. Also where was the motive ? Was he lying that he didn't know nor even heard of Jill Dando? Did he even watch television at all ? One amusing aside was his Steve Majors jumper he wore whilst doing an evil knievel stunt . That was clearly a nod to Steve Austin /Lee Majors who was the six million dollar man .
At the end of it all it is interesting that the head policeman is still convinced that they got the right man originally despite having too much circumstancial evidence on him . Whether or not though was it right that the police stop their investigations into her death ? Are they not undermining their very own British legal system?
This sort of question would have been asked on a popular crime television programme at the time The Bill. Also where was the motive ? Was he lying that he didn't know nor even heard of Jill Dando? Did he even watch television at all ? One amusing aside was his Steve Majors jumper he wore whilst doing an evil knievel stunt . That was clearly a nod to Steve Austin /Lee Majors who was the six million dollar man .
At the end of it all it is interesting that the head policeman is still convinced that they got the right man originally despite having too much circumstancial evidence on him . Whether or not though was it right that the police stop their investigations into her death ? Are they not undermining their very own British legal system?
Another World
atleverton7 October 2023
I'm Canadian and I have been to the United Kingdom once. For the most part it was a pleasant visit, apart from one immigration officer who seemed certain that I was about to work illegally in his beautiful country, which was strange because I was only there to visit as a tourist for a literal weekend. One thing that struck me is how similar the two countries are, Canada, United Kingdom, and yet how vastly different they are. There's the same fast food restaurants and people somewhat speak the same language, but the mentality is quite different and things that are famous internationally are not necessarily the things that people in those countries care about the most. The case of Jill Dando is a good example of this. The documentary makes a comparison between her and lady Diana. In Canada knows who Lady Di was, I doubt many people would have heard about Jill Dando and her case. The documentary does a good job of explaining the basic facts of the case, and you get the feeling that it was not created merely to be some sort of venue for sordid true crime, so as a way to try and bring the case to a resolution. I am struck by the fact that this is yet another case that was widely talked about in the media and because of that attention and focus, the true killer was allowed to get away with it.
Interesting yet frustrating
sue-062395 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I remember this shocking murder and, from the start, it did seem that it must have been a professional hitman. To stealthily come up behind a woman at her door, shoot her in the head then disappear without a sound isn't something, surely, that a "normal" person could do.
The big question for me is still this - how did the killer know Jill would be at her house that very morning when apparently she was mainly living with her fiancé?
Barry George was clearly a weirdo and lived in a disgusting, filthy place that no sane person could tolerate but would he be capable of such a professional-style hit? I was very surprised at how well-spoken and attractive his sister is too - yet she was never asked about why he was living in such squalor, nor about his previous convictions.
The ex-con's statement that he knows who did it but can't say for fear of his life - but it would surprise people - was frustratingly not pursued in any way.
Finally - as seems to be the fashion lately in documentary-making - did we really need so many "reaction" head shots of the participants (particularly Hamish Campbell) staring pensively into middle distance?
The big question for me is still this - how did the killer know Jill would be at her house that very morning when apparently she was mainly living with her fiancé?
Barry George was clearly a weirdo and lived in a disgusting, filthy place that no sane person could tolerate but would he be capable of such a professional-style hit? I was very surprised at how well-spoken and attractive his sister is too - yet she was never asked about why he was living in such squalor, nor about his previous convictions.
The ex-con's statement that he knows who did it but can't say for fear of his life - but it would surprise people - was frustratingly not pursued in any way.
Finally - as seems to be the fashion lately in documentary-making - did we really need so many "reaction" head shots of the participants (particularly Hamish Campbell) staring pensively into middle distance?
Police doing more harm than good
rbrb28 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is a true documentary about the vicious killing of a well-loved British tv celebrity.
In my view the police are shown to be totally useless.
And: an innocent man is arrested, charged and convicted for a crime he did not commit.
He served 8 long years in jail but thanks to a decent reporter who alerts the authorities that the main evidence against him was flawed, then after a retrial he is found not guilty.
What really angers me is that: i) the main investigation police officer still considers the innocent man is really guilty; and ii) there is little real or proper criticism of the total incompetence of the police in failing to solve this case but trying to pin it on someone who was innocent.
6/10.
In my view the police are shown to be totally useless.
And: an innocent man is arrested, charged and convicted for a crime he did not commit.
He served 8 long years in jail but thanks to a decent reporter who alerts the authorities that the main evidence against him was flawed, then after a retrial he is found not guilty.
What really angers me is that: i) the main investigation police officer still considers the innocent man is really guilty; and ii) there is little real or proper criticism of the total incompetence of the police in failing to solve this case but trying to pin it on someone who was innocent.
6/10.
More Detail, Please.
mikeiskorn12 October 2023
This is a wonderful documentary on such a very sad case. I remember hearing about it but not know much about it at the time. However, there were so many holes left in the documentary that really left the viewer wondering what had happened. Especially with regards to the lifestyle of the accused, it never seem to go into more depth and tell us about what happened or even tried to explain his mental state and why he acted the way that he did. Hopefully this will kick start the police to open the investigation again, but after all this time, is it likely that we're gonna find the true answer? Worth a watch if you like true crime.
No further forward
craigtallent-4767927 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Great quality documentary but felt disappointed as I thought this would bring the shooter to justice.
It just reformatted old video and added a dramatic twist of reenactments thrown in Lots of speculation regarding the who done it side of the story.
Definitely a good production with lots of detail but shows a downside of a police investigation
Could have been condensed into one episode.
The whole investigation was horrible for all involved and just felt that this brought everything back to the surface for the family to re live.
I hope one day justice will be served and that the true criminal sentenced.
It just reformatted old video and added a dramatic twist of reenactments thrown in Lots of speculation regarding the who done it side of the story.
Definitely a good production with lots of detail but shows a downside of a police investigation
Could have been condensed into one episode.
The whole investigation was horrible for all involved and just felt that this brought everything back to the surface for the family to re live.
I hope one day justice will be served and that the true criminal sentenced.
Slain but Unexplained
Lejink29 September 2023
The question in the title of this new three-part Netflix series is of course rhetorical as currently no-one is serving a jail sentence for the cold-blooded murder back in 2000 of British TV's golden-girl of the time, presenter Jill Dando. Miss Dando had everything going for her, a ubiquitous television presence, winner of broadcasting awards and in her personal life, happily engaged to be married in the near future.
Brutally killed with a single shot to the head outside the door of her London home, the nation was stunned at the callousness of her execution-like death, the more so when considering that she was one of the co-presenters on the top-rating true-crime public-participation programme "Crimewatch".
Over three episodes, we're dropped straight into the mystery, with a little time also allowed to document her rise to fame and for family and friends to speak warmly of her.
Different theories were propounded by the police, fuelled by the press, with rumours of an underworld contract on her life due to her crime exposés or a politically-motivated assassination by a Serbian hitman because she had recently broadcast an appeal for aid for the people of wartorn Sarajevo.
Eventually the police thought they'd got their man in the person of the intellectuallly-challenged and decidedly odd Barry Bulsara. A failed stuntman amongst many other things, who lived in abject squalor not far from Dando's house. He seemed to have an unhealthy stalking habit of unsuspecting females in his neighbourhood and was infamously pictured wearing a gas'mask and toting a gun which looked suspiciously like the murder weapon.
Put on trial on what appeared to many outside the police investigation to be largely circumstancial evidence, he was nonetheless convicted and given a life sentence before eight years later he was acquitted on appeal, leaving the mystery unsolved today.
Similarities are drawn between Miss Dando and Princess Diana who was killed not long before her and there's little doubt that the former's death and of course the manner of it had a comparable impact on the British public.
This programme I thought was presented in a rather flashy, sensationalist manner with sharp edits, dramatic backing music and overlapping interview inserts treating the case almost like some latter-day small-screen fictional thriller. Personally I'd have preferred if a more sober, documentary-style approach had been taken. It gets a bit silly though when they interview a professional ex-criminal in what looks like a pub who dubiously floats the idea of a gangland hit and then refuses to elaborate on it. Earlier we'd seen her current fiance, her former BBC boss and ex-lover and rather spivvy manager all paraded but quickly discounted as possible suspects.
Thx conclusion the programme appears to reach is that since Bulsara's release the police look to have scaled back their investigation with the senior investigating officer at the time still adamant today that he believed they'd got their man. Against that, an obviously still-damaged Bulsara himself is shown in a series of presrnt-day interviews, strongly defending himself. Significantly, Dando's own brother won't be drawn on his own views.
Like I said earlier, I'm not sure the very modernist presentation served the serious subject matter well, but nevertheless it is hoped that just airing such a high-profile series as this might yet help bring out the truth behind this baffling and still unsolved crime.
Brutally killed with a single shot to the head outside the door of her London home, the nation was stunned at the callousness of her execution-like death, the more so when considering that she was one of the co-presenters on the top-rating true-crime public-participation programme "Crimewatch".
Over three episodes, we're dropped straight into the mystery, with a little time also allowed to document her rise to fame and for family and friends to speak warmly of her.
Different theories were propounded by the police, fuelled by the press, with rumours of an underworld contract on her life due to her crime exposés or a politically-motivated assassination by a Serbian hitman because she had recently broadcast an appeal for aid for the people of wartorn Sarajevo.
Eventually the police thought they'd got their man in the person of the intellectuallly-challenged and decidedly odd Barry Bulsara. A failed stuntman amongst many other things, who lived in abject squalor not far from Dando's house. He seemed to have an unhealthy stalking habit of unsuspecting females in his neighbourhood and was infamously pictured wearing a gas'mask and toting a gun which looked suspiciously like the murder weapon.
Put on trial on what appeared to many outside the police investigation to be largely circumstancial evidence, he was nonetheless convicted and given a life sentence before eight years later he was acquitted on appeal, leaving the mystery unsolved today.
Similarities are drawn between Miss Dando and Princess Diana who was killed not long before her and there's little doubt that the former's death and of course the manner of it had a comparable impact on the British public.
This programme I thought was presented in a rather flashy, sensationalist manner with sharp edits, dramatic backing music and overlapping interview inserts treating the case almost like some latter-day small-screen fictional thriller. Personally I'd have preferred if a more sober, documentary-style approach had been taken. It gets a bit silly though when they interview a professional ex-criminal in what looks like a pub who dubiously floats the idea of a gangland hit and then refuses to elaborate on it. Earlier we'd seen her current fiance, her former BBC boss and ex-lover and rather spivvy manager all paraded but quickly discounted as possible suspects.
Thx conclusion the programme appears to reach is that since Bulsara's release the police look to have scaled back their investigation with the senior investigating officer at the time still adamant today that he believed they'd got their man. Against that, an obviously still-damaged Bulsara himself is shown in a series of presrnt-day interviews, strongly defending himself. Significantly, Dando's own brother won't be drawn on his own views.
Like I said earlier, I'm not sure the very modernist presentation served the serious subject matter well, but nevertheless it is hoped that just airing such a high-profile series as this might yet help bring out the truth behind this baffling and still unsolved crime.
Waste of time
otarisv28 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Literally! Police, film makers, etc didn't do themselves any favours with this one.
One minute it's a "professional hit", the next minute/episode it's not.
Somebody said that crimpings on a casing are typical in Eastern Europe. How come? Who said that? Was he/she interviewed?
What about that "reliable" informant Mr James who apparently lied to get competition off the street. And it took them months (their words) to dismiss his info? Really?
There were three suspects at the very start of the investigation, and none tracked down.
Serbian connection was dismissed due to no info from "security services"? They said that twice. Did police actually do anything about that? Because it seems that it's the only case with some motive. Unless, of course...
Surely, the fiancé must've known that Jill was going to her home that morning to collect those faxes. Yet "they" say that only one person knew - the agent. Btw, both of them, and some other close ones, were dismissed at a stroke of a pen. At least in the film.
There is no insight into Jill Dando's private life apart from her own words that she is what you see, no skeletons, etc. Perhaps.. Yet somebody knew where she would be that morning, or gone to the great length to get to her.
Police were under a lot of pressure of course. Still, as incompetent as in any spoof detective movie. Years wasted.. don't waste your hours, nothing new to see there.
One minute it's a "professional hit", the next minute/episode it's not.
Somebody said that crimpings on a casing are typical in Eastern Europe. How come? Who said that? Was he/she interviewed?
What about that "reliable" informant Mr James who apparently lied to get competition off the street. And it took them months (their words) to dismiss his info? Really?
There were three suspects at the very start of the investigation, and none tracked down.
Serbian connection was dismissed due to no info from "security services"? They said that twice. Did police actually do anything about that? Because it seems that it's the only case with some motive. Unless, of course...
Surely, the fiancé must've known that Jill was going to her home that morning to collect those faxes. Yet "they" say that only one person knew - the agent. Btw, both of them, and some other close ones, were dismissed at a stroke of a pen. At least in the film.
There is no insight into Jill Dando's private life apart from her own words that she is what you see, no skeletons, etc. Perhaps.. Yet somebody knew where she would be that morning, or gone to the great length to get to her.
Police were under a lot of pressure of course. Still, as incompetent as in any spoof detective movie. Years wasted.. don't waste your hours, nothing new to see there.
Slow but good
dkent21327 September 2023
I love watching documentaries, especially those that focus their story on the murders of John F. Kennedy and Princess Diana. I also happened to like the Who Killed Jill Dando? Documentary; produced by Netflix, which had immediately caught my eye when loading up the streaming channel. But how good was it?
It was professionally made and filmed on a decent budget; so no issues there. I'm grateful that in the first episode they focused on how much Jill Dando was loved and missed, but I feel as though they had focused too much on on that and therefore; as other critics have mentioned, became longwinded.
I applaud the producers for ensuring the stories about all suspects were covered in this documentary and for including QC Michael Mansfield. But like others have said, there was no need to have the documentary go on for so long as most of the information was repetitive; and at times, a little boring. It is definitely worth a watch though as I learned quite a lot more than I previously did.
It was professionally made and filmed on a decent budget; so no issues there. I'm grateful that in the first episode they focused on how much Jill Dando was loved and missed, but I feel as though they had focused too much on on that and therefore; as other critics have mentioned, became longwinded.
I applaud the producers for ensuring the stories about all suspects were covered in this documentary and for including QC Michael Mansfield. But like others have said, there was no need to have the documentary go on for so long as most of the information was repetitive; and at times, a little boring. It is definitely worth a watch though as I learned quite a lot more than I previously did.
A compelling subject, not given the full insight it could have
wellthatswhatithinkanyway5 November 2023
STAR RATING: ***** Brilliant **** Very Good *** Okay ** Poor * Awful
Jill Dando rose from humble beginnings in Weston super-mare to becoming the presenter of Crimewatch, the BBC's flagship crime reporting programme, and becoming a household name. However, it all came to a shuddering end in April 1999, when she was brutally gunned down on her doorstep, prompting a massive police investigation and massive speculation over who was behind it. Eventually, a suspect, Barry George was arrested and charged, before eventually being convicted, then sensationally exonerated after contradictory evidence emerged, leaving the case unsolved in the aftermath.
In April 1999, less than two years after the dust had started to settle over Princess Diana's death, the public consciousness was dealt another blow when Jill Dando, who bore a striking similarity to the late princess died in similarly shocking circumstances, albeit with an apparent air of criminality about it. What followed was a sensational series of events, worthy of a TV drama, and even more unbelievable than the actual event itself, but sadly left a family without any justice. Director Marcus Plowright here resurrects the prominent cold case, and does his part in keeping it in everyone's mind.
Dando was not only successful, but evidently well liked, and yet Plowright does not expand in any scope or depth on the devastating emotional impact her murder left on colleagues, friends or family, even with these people involved in the production, instead forensically focusing on the police investigation, from the Serbian links involving the ongoing Kosovan war at the time, to the shaky police pursuit of George, focusing more on his eccentricity rather than anything truly solid, resulting in an unusually succinct three part Netflix production.
Nearly a quarter of a century on, it's staggering that such a high profile case still remains unsolved, and that such a shambolic original investigation went without much in the way of reprimand. It inevitably led to a flurry of conspiracy theories (most notably a Jimmy Savile related one), which is one of many things this potentially interesting documentary could have gone into in more depth. ***
Jill Dando rose from humble beginnings in Weston super-mare to becoming the presenter of Crimewatch, the BBC's flagship crime reporting programme, and becoming a household name. However, it all came to a shuddering end in April 1999, when she was brutally gunned down on her doorstep, prompting a massive police investigation and massive speculation over who was behind it. Eventually, a suspect, Barry George was arrested and charged, before eventually being convicted, then sensationally exonerated after contradictory evidence emerged, leaving the case unsolved in the aftermath.
In April 1999, less than two years after the dust had started to settle over Princess Diana's death, the public consciousness was dealt another blow when Jill Dando, who bore a striking similarity to the late princess died in similarly shocking circumstances, albeit with an apparent air of criminality about it. What followed was a sensational series of events, worthy of a TV drama, and even more unbelievable than the actual event itself, but sadly left a family without any justice. Director Marcus Plowright here resurrects the prominent cold case, and does his part in keeping it in everyone's mind.
Dando was not only successful, but evidently well liked, and yet Plowright does not expand in any scope or depth on the devastating emotional impact her murder left on colleagues, friends or family, even with these people involved in the production, instead forensically focusing on the police investigation, from the Serbian links involving the ongoing Kosovan war at the time, to the shaky police pursuit of George, focusing more on his eccentricity rather than anything truly solid, resulting in an unusually succinct three part Netflix production.
Nearly a quarter of a century on, it's staggering that such a high profile case still remains unsolved, and that such a shambolic original investigation went without much in the way of reprimand. It inevitably led to a flurry of conspiracy theories (most notably a Jimmy Savile related one), which is one of many things this potentially interesting documentary could have gone into in more depth. ***
Don't make the doc unless you have something new to report on!
billiejoesmum2 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This was an incredibly boring and drawn out documentary that achieves absolutely nothing.
I wish I'd started counting how often they'd show clips of her with comments about her being the nation's sweetheart, girl next door, tv's Diana etc, because that seems to make up the bulk of the documentary. We all know how much she was loved and how sad everyone was when she died.
They skirt around the various theories, and come to zero conclusions.
At best this should have been one episode, but in reality it probably shouldn't have been made until they found something worth reporting.
I get the impression they investigated and found nothing, but decided to make the documentary anyway.
I wish I'd started counting how often they'd show clips of her with comments about her being the nation's sweetheart, girl next door, tv's Diana etc, because that seems to make up the bulk of the documentary. We all know how much she was loved and how sad everyone was when she died.
They skirt around the various theories, and come to zero conclusions.
At best this should have been one episode, but in reality it probably shouldn't have been made until they found something worth reporting.
I get the impression they investigated and found nothing, but decided to make the documentary anyway.
He was highly aggressive
tamralea27 September 2023
I don't know if he murdered her or not but classifying him as eccentric or quirky is an insult to the woman who have survived and endured his assaults. These incidents that he had been arrested for and found guilty of were violent and to dismiss the importance of what the survivors have gone through by classifying him as a type of harmless male is a disturbing trend that Netflix clearly is okay with.
In 1983 he served 18 months of a 33 month sentence for a 1982 rape. That's only one incident of MANY.
His record is well publicized so claiming ignorance doesn't pass.
Change your culture towards women and you might have a better outcome with murder investigations.
In 1983 he served 18 months of a 33 month sentence for a 1982 rape. That's only one incident of MANY.
His record is well publicized so claiming ignorance doesn't pass.
Change your culture towards women and you might have a better outcome with murder investigations.
Enjoyable 3 Parter
stuarttomanek28 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed this 3 part series on Jill Dando - her early life, rise to fame and awful murder.
I have seen other documentaries and I think what I found interesting about this one was the reaction of the police to the release of Barry George. They - or at least the man who led the investigation - stubbornly ignore facts and claim they got the right man. I think they know - just don't want to admit it as they would have to reopen the case.
Nobody heard a shot. Experts say this indicates a silencer was used - something that would be in the toolkit of a pro assassin but a hapless loner like George - would be unlikely to possess.
There was no evidence he had ever been in possession of a real firearm.
No motive was established. He had an interest in women - had some assaults to his name and collected photographs he had taken in the street.
Assaults and photos are one thing - killing is quite a leap. And no motive. Why would George want to kill Dando? He might want to photograph her and maybe assault her sexually. But kill her? It seems highly unlikely such an inept person could carry out this crime and not be seen or leave evidence in his flat which was a tip at the time.
As shown by the program, the police were clearly under pressure from the press and public to get a result and they must have thought it was Christmas when George fell into their clutches.
Thankfully the gun residue evidence was debunked and he was freed.
We may never know who killed Jill Dando and I think a Serb gunman acting in revenge for Britain's actions in the Balkans is probably the motive.
A good show with plenty of footage of Dando, her family and most importantly - an interview with George as he is today living in Ireland.
I have seen other documentaries and I think what I found interesting about this one was the reaction of the police to the release of Barry George. They - or at least the man who led the investigation - stubbornly ignore facts and claim they got the right man. I think they know - just don't want to admit it as they would have to reopen the case.
Nobody heard a shot. Experts say this indicates a silencer was used - something that would be in the toolkit of a pro assassin but a hapless loner like George - would be unlikely to possess.
There was no evidence he had ever been in possession of a real firearm.
No motive was established. He had an interest in women - had some assaults to his name and collected photographs he had taken in the street.
Assaults and photos are one thing - killing is quite a leap. And no motive. Why would George want to kill Dando? He might want to photograph her and maybe assault her sexually. But kill her? It seems highly unlikely such an inept person could carry out this crime and not be seen or leave evidence in his flat which was a tip at the time.
As shown by the program, the police were clearly under pressure from the press and public to get a result and they must have thought it was Christmas when George fell into their clutches.
Thankfully the gun residue evidence was debunked and he was freed.
We may never know who killed Jill Dando and I think a Serb gunman acting in revenge for Britain's actions in the Balkans is probably the motive.
A good show with plenty of footage of Dando, her family and most importantly - an interview with George as he is today living in Ireland.
What on earth was this??
souplahoopla30 September 2023
I was probably about 15 years old when Jill Dando was murdered. I was certainly familiar with her name, and i remember the murder - but i dont remember enough to have formed an opinion on anything.
This must be one of the worst true crime documentaries i've ever seen! Every aspect of every avenue was not explored. There was no detail about anything! Just nothing. All you got was surface level theories repeated to exhaustion.
I'm not sure if i was supposed to take sides by the end, but the whole thing was so vague i just thought 'obviously no one give a crap'. Except some gangster who says he 'knows' but cant possibly say...sure man, just take the paycheck.
Total waste of time.
This must be one of the worst true crime documentaries i've ever seen! Every aspect of every avenue was not explored. There was no detail about anything! Just nothing. All you got was surface level theories repeated to exhaustion.
I'm not sure if i was supposed to take sides by the end, but the whole thing was so vague i just thought 'obviously no one give a crap'. Except some gangster who says he 'knows' but cant possibly say...sure man, just take the paycheck.
Total waste of time.
Re-worked and Over-long
pkw1898427 September 2023
How many more of these two or three part murder/mystery unsolved documentaries are there going to be, when all they do is inform everything already known with no conclusion at the end (it finishes with two possible scenarios of who murdered Jill).
There is a no doubt it is well produced with interviews from colleagues, friends and family, but is ploddy at best. The 2019 1-hour BBC Documentary is superior, concise and more watchable.
As with the Suzy Lamplugh unsolved disappearance (who coincidentally disappeared from roughly the same area) the Metropolitan Police named their killer with mostly circumstantial evidence, and have wasted time and resources, while not exploring other avenues. The Barry George suspect story is so well know in the UK I'm surprised the producers devoted so much time to it.
The documentary confirms it is yet another unsolved murder embarrassment for the London Met, 24 years old.
There is a no doubt it is well produced with interviews from colleagues, friends and family, but is ploddy at best. The 2019 1-hour BBC Documentary is superior, concise and more watchable.
As with the Suzy Lamplugh unsolved disappearance (who coincidentally disappeared from roughly the same area) the Metropolitan Police named their killer with mostly circumstantial evidence, and have wasted time and resources, while not exploring other avenues. The Barry George suspect story is so well know in the UK I'm surprised the producers devoted so much time to it.
The documentary confirms it is yet another unsolved murder embarrassment for the London Met, 24 years old.
Coverage of the investigation only
ffmmktdgd30 September 2023
Another documentary drawn out in Netflix's typical style these days. I agree with the prior comment about whether it was an average investigation or average documentary. I'm going to go with both.
This doco offered no depth in area nor canvassed possible hypotheses to any meaningful extent. It was merely a retrospective of the investigation and honestly, it isn't worth a watch unless you're on a plane or similar with three hours to kill.
When you recall these events and see there's a doco, you have hope maybe new leads might come if it. I cannot see that happening as a result of this documentary and thus for me it's another example of Netflix cashing in.
This doco offered no depth in area nor canvassed possible hypotheses to any meaningful extent. It was merely a retrospective of the investigation and honestly, it isn't worth a watch unless you're on a plane or similar with three hours to kill.
When you recall these events and see there's a doco, you have hope maybe new leads might come if it. I cannot see that happening as a result of this documentary and thus for me it's another example of Netflix cashing in.
Shameless police and media
Mimzzzz2 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I love documentaries but this one is as far as I am concerned the poorest one.
Although he had some of the baddest criminal records I felt sorry for Barry because I am kinda sure that he did not comitted this murder.
The main police officer was soooo annoying at the end of the film. It was clearly, the main job for the police, to find anyone, litteraly, who can be MAYBE responsible for murder and put him behind bars, because hey, they were under pressure of the media because they didn't make any progress.
So, lets put the innocent man in jail, who f him?!!!!
Disgusting, the whole investigation, media, everything was so poor and disgusting.
I find it very, but very interesting that not in any moment her fiance wasn't a suspect? Why??
That man looked so suspicious, for me. Not a one tear nor did I felt his devastation that he was talking about on TV. He was, also, the person who knew where she will be at that particular moment, alongside her agent.
Completely ridiculous. They also tried to put blame on the Balkans because of NATO thing. MAYBE. But not so sure, Balkans were very busy with the war in ex Yugoslavia. I am telling you this as a Balkan person.
Glad that I saw Raphael from the Toughest prisons show. He is the man!
Such a shame movie. Rest in peace Jill.
Although he had some of the baddest criminal records I felt sorry for Barry because I am kinda sure that he did not comitted this murder.
The main police officer was soooo annoying at the end of the film. It was clearly, the main job for the police, to find anyone, litteraly, who can be MAYBE responsible for murder and put him behind bars, because hey, they were under pressure of the media because they didn't make any progress.
So, lets put the innocent man in jail, who f him?!!!!
Disgusting, the whole investigation, media, everything was so poor and disgusting.
I find it very, but very interesting that not in any moment her fiance wasn't a suspect? Why??
That man looked so suspicious, for me. Not a one tear nor did I felt his devastation that he was talking about on TV. He was, also, the person who knew where she will be at that particular moment, alongside her agent.
Completely ridiculous. They also tried to put blame on the Balkans because of NATO thing. MAYBE. But not so sure, Balkans were very busy with the war in ex Yugoslavia. I am telling you this as a Balkan person.
Glad that I saw Raphael from the Toughest prisons show. He is the man!
Such a shame movie. Rest in peace Jill.
just boring
moafuhr9 November 2023
It's official, the English police are the worst in the world.
Looking at this documentary I came to the conclusion that the United Kingdom can only be a dictatorship.
The police only acted with the press in mind.
Search warrants were authorized even when there was absolutely nothing against the individuals being investigated.
People were arrested without any evidence.
A person was arrested and considered a suspect just for having an 18mm gun, one of the most common types of weapons in the world.
My guess? She was killed by some Serbian nationalist. It is the possibility presented that makes the most sense.
The truth is that most cases are impossible to solve, especially older ones at a time when people didn't have smartphones, GPS and security cameras weren't so common.
Looking at this documentary I came to the conclusion that the United Kingdom can only be a dictatorship.
The police only acted with the press in mind.
Search warrants were authorized even when there was absolutely nothing against the individuals being investigated.
People were arrested without any evidence.
A person was arrested and considered a suspect just for having an 18mm gun, one of the most common types of weapons in the world.
My guess? She was killed by some Serbian nationalist. It is the possibility presented that makes the most sense.
The truth is that most cases are impossible to solve, especially older ones at a time when people didn't have smartphones, GPS and security cameras weren't so common.
Who killed her? Who knows? - the documentary makers don't.
gullyfoyle-016373 October 2023
What a pointless documentary. Just a rehash of everything that was raked over at the time.
No new theories. No new leads or avenues of investigation.
Stretched out and fairly pointless. No reason to watch it at all to be honest. Not particularly well made either as it jumps around and meanders back & forth.
It was clearly a professional hit. That at least should have enabled the documentary makers to weed out the silly dross. No mention of police revisiting the case to give it a modern DNA techniques overhaul.
Next case for the doc-makers to crack - Who shot J. R.? That would be more entertaining certainly.
No new theories. No new leads or avenues of investigation.
Stretched out and fairly pointless. No reason to watch it at all to be honest. Not particularly well made either as it jumps around and meanders back & forth.
It was clearly a professional hit. That at least should have enabled the documentary makers to weed out the silly dross. No mention of police revisiting the case to give it a modern DNA techniques overhaul.
Next case for the doc-makers to crack - Who shot J. R.? That would be more entertaining certainly.
No Answer To The Question
ddbmschmidt28 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The murder of Ms Dando was brutal and shocking, and even more-so with her striking resemblance to the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
This docu "series" could have been, and should have been, 1 episode. Anecdotes were dragged out, the story was disjointed.
The jailhouse "journalist", aka Criminal, who "knows who did it" but won't say...... sure! Why not include him repeatedly and allude to him actually naming names and resolving this case.... Nope!
The investigation surely was flawed, but in a country to unaccustomed to gum violence, the police were ill-prepared.
Ms Dando deserved a better representation of her life, and untimely and violent end.
The question asked is never answered. The narrative was stretched too thin, and sometimes all over the place.
Too long, not concise. Ms Dando's loved ones deserve better.
This docu "series" could have been, and should have been, 1 episode. Anecdotes were dragged out, the story was disjointed.
The jailhouse "journalist", aka Criminal, who "knows who did it" but won't say...... sure! Why not include him repeatedly and allude to him actually naming names and resolving this case.... Nope!
The investigation surely was flawed, but in a country to unaccustomed to gum violence, the police were ill-prepared.
Ms Dando deserved a better representation of her life, and untimely and violent end.
The question asked is never answered. The narrative was stretched too thin, and sometimes all over the place.
Too long, not concise. Ms Dando's loved ones deserve better.
Tedious
leahbeah91 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I expected more from a docuseries about world class journalists investigating the murder of a beloved and celebrated anchor woman. Slow, meandering, and truly boring, this series just doesn't go anywhere.
I didn't know of Jill Dando before viewing this and the series was woefully remiss in creating sympathy or empathy for her - beyond the fact she was a human who was killed. The series like Ms. Dando was poorly executed.
I suggest you do what I did, which is to turn it off and investigate online to understand how the story turned out and the fast forward through the last episode and a half or so.
I didn't know of Jill Dando before viewing this and the series was woefully remiss in creating sympathy or empathy for her - beyond the fact she was a human who was killed. The series like Ms. Dando was poorly executed.
I suggest you do what I did, which is to turn it off and investigate online to understand how the story turned out and the fast forward through the last episode and a half or so.
So tired of the "Who Killed...?" titles anymore
endobiont18 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The lack of originality in the title itself should give you a clue as to how this one turns out.
The titles of the people giving interviews and narratives on what happened are only shown rarely, leaving you confused.
They tell you that the accused is not as smart as 99% of everyone else in the UK, yet offers more insight than the so-called experts they call on to give opinions.
They do not even delve the slightest bit into Jill's inner circle of friends as being the perpetrator, including her creepy fiancée, who seems to have an opinion on everything but who killed Jill.
If you're an American watching this documentary, you have no clue who any of the legal experts / UK celebrities and shows like Crimewatch are, and offer no insight into why they matter, with the exception of Princess Diana, whom they throw in as if there is some kind of hook...Yet has nothing to do (other than her hairstyle) with the deceased.
Recommend watching a better, more well-thought out documentary about anything less mundane than this subject matter.
The titles of the people giving interviews and narratives on what happened are only shown rarely, leaving you confused.
They tell you that the accused is not as smart as 99% of everyone else in the UK, yet offers more insight than the so-called experts they call on to give opinions.
They do not even delve the slightest bit into Jill's inner circle of friends as being the perpetrator, including her creepy fiancée, who seems to have an opinion on everything but who killed Jill.
If you're an American watching this documentary, you have no clue who any of the legal experts / UK celebrities and shows like Crimewatch are, and offer no insight into why they matter, with the exception of Princess Diana, whom they throw in as if there is some kind of hook...Yet has nothing to do (other than her hairstyle) with the deceased.
Recommend watching a better, more well-thought out documentary about anything less mundane than this subject matter.
A Waste of Time
wisewebwoman4 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is a doc that could have been over with in an hour. Instead it runs for 3 excruciating episodes.
I had the thought that the producer could have been guilty having received a lashing of cash into his account a few days before? Why? Her generosity? He was never questioned as to his jealousy over her new lover/fiance.
But the suspects who were left off the hook were a mystery. We were never informed of their alibis.
Also a key question was never asked - who stood to gain the most from her death?
The police were text book incompetence all the way.
That so-called intellectually challenged suspect who was first convicted and then released (that wasn't fully explained either) was a violent brutal rapist with convictions as long as your arm. Why was he presented so sympathetically? And not interviewed properly?
I was literally gobsmacked at this going nowhere repetitive pointless doc.
Avoid 1/10.
I had the thought that the producer could have been guilty having received a lashing of cash into his account a few days before? Why? Her generosity? He was never questioned as to his jealousy over her new lover/fiance.
But the suspects who were left off the hook were a mystery. We were never informed of their alibis.
Also a key question was never asked - who stood to gain the most from her death?
The police were text book incompetence all the way.
That so-called intellectually challenged suspect who was first convicted and then released (that wasn't fully explained either) was a violent brutal rapist with convictions as long as your arm. Why was he presented so sympathetically? And not interviewed properly?
I was literally gobsmacked at this going nowhere repetitive pointless doc.
Avoid 1/10.
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