Hillsborough is one of the most moving events of modern times, mainly because of the huge co-operation and bravery between fans in an effort to save lives. Advertising hoardings were pulled down and used as strechers. Desperate attempts at first aid were made. People tried to raise children above the crush, risking their own lives to do so.
The next day though, The Scum ran a story which went along the following lines:
They've never apologised.
Justice for the 96.
Before Jimmy McGovern wrote the docu-drama Hillsborough, he tackled the disaster in To Be A Somebody, the fourth episode of Cracker.
SYNOPSIS Albie Kinsella (Robert Carlyle) is at his father's funeral. This death compounded by Albie's marriage breakdown triggers some sort of post-traumatic stress disorder. When an Asian newsagent refuses him 4p credit, Albie snaps and returns to murder him. Initially shocked by his actions, Albie tries to justify this needless killing with a twisted logic; a logic which threatens an entire community, rationalising it as revenge for the ninety-six people that died at Hillsborough, a tragedy that Albie indirectly blames for the death of his father. One down and another ninety-five victims to go, Albie sets his sights on a freelance reporter, known to have worked with The Sun. Meanwhile, convinced that this murder bears all the hallmarks of a racist attack, the police centre their investigation around known local facist sympathisers. However, when all leads prove fruitless, and another psychologist's profile is undermined, Fitz's expertise is required. Fitz has to unlock the force that drives Albie to commit murder, a philosophy that has no reason and is potentially explosive.
Meanwhile, convinced that this murder bears all the hallmarks of a racist attack, the police centre their investigation around known local facist sympathisers. However, when all leads prove fruitless, and another psychologist's profile is undermined, Fitz's expertise is required. Fitz has to unlock the force that drives Albie to commit murder, a philosophy that has no reason and is potentially explosive.
Rates (at least by me) as probably one of the best moments of television acting, direction and screenwriting in the nineties. All ten of the Cracker episodes were fantastic but it is widely regarded (ie. not just by me) that To Be A Somebody is the best of the lot by a long throw.
CAST & CREW:
Fitz: Robbie Coltrane Judith Fitzgerald: Barbara Flynn D.S. Jane Penhaligan: Geraldine Somerville D.S. Jimmy Beck: Lorcan Cranitch D.C.I. Wise: Ricky Tomlinson Albie: Robert Carlyle
Written by: Jimmy McGovern - Produced by: Paul Abbott Executive Producer: Sally Head - Directed by: Julian Jarrold
© Granada Television MCMXCIV
The edition in question is that of Wednesday, April the 19th, 1989. The banner headline was 'THE TRUTH', beneath which were the bulleted points, none of which were actually true: 'Some fans picked pockets of victims' 'Some fans urinated on the brave cops' 'Some fans beat up PC giving kiss of life'
The Labour Party's 1983 manifesto was described as the 'longest suicide note in history'; that issue of The Sun was the most garish suicide note in history, and ensured circulatory oblivion in the Merseyside area. My mum is from Liverpool; we used to get the Sun. And then we did not.
It's often forgotten that the Daily Star ran the equally offensive headline 'Dead fans robbed by drunk thugs', and that the general tone of media coverage was initially directed against the fans themselves. The only official information at the time of the disaster came from the South Yorkshire police, and they were hardly unbiased, as covered in much greater detail above.
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