The Military Workshop
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2005
- Messages
- 4,778
Just finished watching this on Netflix.
American forum members obviously familiar with the story of the longest (17 years) and most expensive manhunt in FBI history. Whilst heard of it at the time was not familiar with the details.
Sam Worthington plays FBI agent James Fitzgerald and Paul Bettany the Unabomber. Chris Noth the head of the FBI team.
One of the most interesting crime cases due to :
Length of investigation
Bombings around the country
Apparent random nature and hard to determine motive
Nothing connecting victims to each other or bomber
That FBI allowed publication of bombers "manifesto". It was this that led to his capture as his brother recognised it and reported it to Task Force.
The importance of linguistics in examining letters and manifesto written by the bomber.
and role of profiling
The series makes it appear that Fitzgerald's (consultant to series) bosses were constantly belittling his linguistics work and at one point removed him from the case. It certainly did no favours towards the reputation of those in charge. One where it says "Based on a true story" but you have to wonder what has been changed or invented for dramatic purposes.
You do get angry when the senior FBI guys take all the credit for his work after spending so much time ignoring it.
One of those series where as soon as finished wanted to find out more. Could not find it on Hollywood v History. Did find an article where a producer said Fitzgerald never actually met Unabomber as he did after his arrest in series. Much is made of him trying to convince him to plead guilty as FBI did not want it to go to trial. Another article by a former FBI agent who worked on part of the case suggested Fitzgerald was only involved for a short while.
Either way an interesting series but hard to tell truth from fiction in relation to Fitzgeralds role.
American forum members obviously familiar with the story of the longest (17 years) and most expensive manhunt in FBI history. Whilst heard of it at the time was not familiar with the details.
Sam Worthington plays FBI agent James Fitzgerald and Paul Bettany the Unabomber. Chris Noth the head of the FBI team.
One of the most interesting crime cases due to :
Length of investigation
Bombings around the country
Apparent random nature and hard to determine motive
Nothing connecting victims to each other or bomber
That FBI allowed publication of bombers "manifesto". It was this that led to his capture as his brother recognised it and reported it to Task Force.
The importance of linguistics in examining letters and manifesto written by the bomber.
and role of profiling
The series makes it appear that Fitzgerald's (consultant to series) bosses were constantly belittling his linguistics work and at one point removed him from the case. It certainly did no favours towards the reputation of those in charge. One where it says "Based on a true story" but you have to wonder what has been changed or invented for dramatic purposes.
You do get angry when the senior FBI guys take all the credit for his work after spending so much time ignoring it.
One of those series where as soon as finished wanted to find out more. Could not find it on Hollywood v History. Did find an article where a producer said Fitzgerald never actually met Unabomber as he did after his arrest in series. Much is made of him trying to convince him to plead guilty as FBI did not want it to go to trial. Another article by a former FBI agent who worked on part of the case suggested Fitzgerald was only involved for a short while.
Either way an interesting series but hard to tell truth from fiction in relation to Fitzgeralds role.
