Hillsborough (1996 TV Movie) User Reviews

Heartbreaking and sobering

[gibbs-18172 · 9/10 · 29 March 2020]

Written and shown 20 years before the families finally got justice.

If you know the story it is well acted with some commentary if you don't know the story you will be appaled at what the 96 families endure .

It did the cause well and shone a spotlight on the disgusting red tape and cover ups

Heartbreaking and Powerful......

[Irishchatter · 9/10 · 1 June 2014]

I found this movie so capturing even if I'm not a football fan myself. It really captures the reality of those policeman's jobs on that faithful day and how extremely ignorant they were for opening the gates and covering it all up as if it was no big deal. I really applaud the families for their courage and bravery for finding justice. I liked how the families stood up up together for their loved ones who died that day when the policeman made excuses that they were either drunk or didn't get a ticket. It was like taking candy from a baby but this time, these people wanted to keep their jobs and not care what happened! I'm really grateful that i have found this film to capture history and we all must not let this tragedy happen again. My condolences are with the families, friends and the 96 victims altogether <3

Heart Wrenching

[guy-dalby-517-865385 · 9/10 · 2 January 2021]

This is a moving film about the Hillsborough disaster. I have seen this film a few times and always find it difficult to watch. In fact the last time I saw it I had to turn it off as I got so upset. Great performances from the cast.

a realistic and dramatic movie

[Fezza · 25 June 2000]

This movie is about the disaster in the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, where 96 supporters died by getting pressed against the fences. Furthermore the movie is about the faults of the police that led to this accident. You can feel the pain and the rage that the family and the friends of the 96 have felt. The police (who is for me responsible) is trying to blame the supporters that should have been drunk and have had no tickets. The movie does not make a real or the right statement. It only shows what happened on this day and the following years. It shows the fight for justice by the families and the story of some of the 96 supporters. They will never be forgotten.

A fantastic look at the real story of the 1989 Hilsborough Stadium Disaster

[James-Jack · 10/10 · 3 April 2005]

April 15th 1989 an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Sadly overshadowed by the death of 95 Liverpool supporters, who should never have lost their lives. This film follows three families, who attended the game. Christopher Eccleston and Ricky Tomlinson give marvellous emotional performances as the fathers of two of those families. The film also follows their quest for justice, and their trips to the courtroom to battle for an enquiry in the tragic events. In the end, they are let down by the British justice system, who initially fail to order an enquiry into the disaster. Later a decision reversed, and now the Taylor enquiry has changed the way football will be attended forever. Poignant and moving film. Watch it.

The truth

[ellybendi · 10/10 · 21 April 2018]

This film is as close as you are going to get to the real truth. When you watch real-life interviews the families, it is like they are quoting right out of the film so you know Jimmy McGovern gave a faithful representation. And yet, it took another 20 years following this film for the cover-ups & truth to come out in a court of law. Scousers knew the truth the whole time & never stopped fighting.

Outstanding performances by all involved. Such a traumatic subject matter has been represented with the utmost respect.

Hopefully there'll be a sequel in the future where Duckinfield & the whole corrupt lot go down for manslaughter.

Heavy handed drama

[LW-08854 · 6/10 · 28 December 2023]

A drama that's largely undone buy it's own sense of outrage and anger. Characters shout their way from scene to scene and it really doesn't allow you to think for yourself. The cast are not even able to do a Liverpool accent either mostly which I found strange. The story takes you through the different stages of the disaster, the aftermath and the inquest which followed. It's shot and acted well but it just comes off as too much of a polemic.

On the technical side it's fairly well shot and the sound and editing are all fine and don't draw attention to themselves too much but instead try to allow the story to just flow naturally.