Television Review: Crimes That Shook the World
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this documentary series pulls few
punches in discussing some very terrible crimes. Though there's
little actual onscreen violence, scenes show the aftermath of
carnage, and plenty of people describe, often in graphic terms,
exactly who did what to whom. The overall effect can be hard to
stomach.
Families can talk about crime and punishment. This show delves
into the actions of some of history's worst criminals, and
though it focuses mostly on
what they did, it also tries to explain why. Why do some
people become criminals? Are they motivated by greed, revenge,
or something else? Or are they fundamentally flawed in some
way? How do the criminals attempt to justify their actions? Do
they actually think they'll get away with it?
Each episode of the docu-drama series CRIMES THAT SHOOK THE WORLD takes an in-depth look at some of history's most infamous villains and the acts that made them famous, feared, and often reviled. The series blends old film footage and news clippings with interviews with survivors and investigators and dramatized reenactments of important incidents. Besides describing the crimes and the efforts to track down and prosecute the bad guys, Crimes That Shook the World also explains how the events often created a palpable feeling of terror in the local communities. Many episodes center on well-known serial killers, such as the BTK killer in Kansas or Washington state's Green River Killer.
Crimes That Shook the World is well made, but its effective re-creation of unpleasant events could certainly provide plenty of fodder for bad dreams -- or even dredge up some unpleasant memories for people who remember when these crimes were on the front pages instead of on historical TV shows. Though these notorious criminals have a certain irresistible appeal to many viewers, the detailed, matter-of-fact description of their deeds can be chilling and unpleasant to watch. Either way, it's definitely not for kids.
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