The Bombing of Pan Am 103

What’s it about?

On 21 December 1988, flight Pan Am 103 explodes over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie. This miniseries shows the devastating effect it had on the town and the dozens of families who lost loved ones, and the years-long investigation for local police and the FBI to find out who was responsible.

The facts 

• Directed by Michael Keillor (Line of Duty)
• Starring Connor Swindells (Jingle Bell Heist), Patrick J. Adams (The Madison), Peter Mullan (Top of the Lake), and Merritt Wever (Unbelievable)
• English language 
• Runtime: Six episodes that are around 60 minutes each
• Originally released on BBC One in the UK

Why did it get this rating? 

This series was self-rated by Netflix. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Violence and content that may disturb

The series focuses primarily on the emotional impact of the tragedy, rather than the physical, so we don’t see graphic footage of victims themselves. In one scene, we follow a character as he’s called to a farm, because there is a body in a field which is still strapped to its aeroplane seat. We see this body facedown, without wounds.

In the first episode, there is an explosion behind some residential buildings, which turns out to be the plane landing on houses. There is a tragic and intense scene of rescuers trying to find survivors among burning houses which have been reduced to rubble. They cannot find any survivors. We don’t see any dead bodies.

We are shown luggage and plane parts strewn throughout the countryside. 

The investigation looks at a number of theories behind the bombing of the plane, which includes racial profiling of ethnicities from the Middle East that some viewers may find offensive. 

The bombing of the plane is declared an act of terrorism.

Suicide themes

One character is understood to have killed themselves, though we are not given any details other than that he was found dead in the woods. Characters speculate that the pressure of the tragedy and long investigation got to him.

Offensive language

There is infrequent use of offensive language, and it is not present in all episodes. Very occasionally, when a character is particularly moved, they use the word “f*cking” as an intensifier.

Helplines

The suicide themes, grief, and terrorism could be upsetting for some viewers, especially for those who have gone through similar experiences. If you are struggling with what you have seen on-screen, please reach out for help. If you or someone you know needs to talk:

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information 

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?