Being There.

Rating: Null/10 (18 May 2003)

Having just watched, "Bloody Sunday" which is just one version of an event that actually happened.The film tries to deal with a 24 hour period namely the day of the march/rally.One of it's shortcoming's is that for whatever reason,certain facts were omitted.John Hume the renowned SDLP moderate,who was still being touted as one the speaker's,even on the morning of the march/rally refused to have anything to do with,and considered that holding it was "irresponsible" at best.The assurance's
given to Ivan Cooper by the two arms of the IRA,the "Provo's"and the "Official" were questionable,even Chief Supt Lagan was skeptical.The part played by Martin McGuinness just prior to the start of the march/rally who was 2nd in command of the"Provo's" in Derry.There were armed IRA members in the crowd.The whole situation was an accident waiting to happen,and Ivan Coopers dream turned into a nightmare.One of Mr Coopers comments,that the march/rally had been "Hijacked by Terrorism" is close to the truth.As a film it is quite well done,and all credit to the cast for their performances,and of course to Director Paul Greengrass for an attempt at a very difficult subject.He did try to remain impartial,but slipped as the film progressed.If the film had covered the period from Magilligan Strand to Derry,then the reasons for not holding it would have obvious.Pointing the finger of blame is useless,as all parties were far from innocent.