Hillsborough (1996) (TV)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Charles McDougall

Writer:

Jimmy McGovern (written by)

Release Date:

5 December 1996 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Sport

Plot:

Drama based on the real life events of April 1989, when ninety-six Liverpool supporters were crushed to death during an F.A...

Plot Keywords:

Tragedy | Soccer | Based On True Story

Awards:

6 wins

Cast

Tracey Wilkinson	...	Jan Spearritt
Kevin Knapman	...	Adam Spearritt
Mark Womack	...	Eddie Spearritt
Sarah Graham	...	Sarah Hicks
Anna Martland	...	Vicki Hicks
Annabelle Apsion	...	Jenni Hicks
Christopher Eccleston	...	Trevor Hicks
Stephen Walters	...	Ian Glover
Scot Williams	...	Joe Glover
Rachel Davies	...	Theresa Glover
Ricky Tomlinson	...	John Glover
Maurice Roëves	...	Chf Supt. Duckenfield
Joe Duttine	...	PC One
Stephen Hackett	...	PC Two
Bruce Jones	...	Video Technician

Also Known As:

Inquest

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Gigg Lane Stadium, Bury, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company:

Granada Television

Bad memories

A brilliant TV film that brought back too many bad memories. Christopher Eccleston turns in yet another faultless performance but anyone who can remember that day will look at the archive TV footage and thank the Lord that they were not at that game.

For anyone who doesn't know the details, this film is about a football game played in the late eighties involving Liverpool football club. It was a cup semi final and thousands of fans were still trying to get into the ground when the game started. Due to the number of fans trying to get into the ground there was a massive crush in the Liverpool end of the ground and dozens of fans, young and old alike, died in the crush. Squashed against the jail-like railings round the edge of the terracing. If there is one memory that will stay with me as long as I go to football games, it is the sight of children's faces squashed up against the iron railings, unable to breathe, unable to move. Some (well most) say that the police were to blame. Watch the film and make up your own mind.

The film recaptures the mood of everyone who saw the live pictures being beamed across the country as the news came in of more and more deaths. It brings back the sheer shock and horror experienced by everyone who has ever been at a football game. It is a very moving and harrowing film but ultimately the performances turned in by the cast make this an essential piece of viewing. Outstanding.