Shoot to Kill
Directed by Peter Kosminsky, Written by Michael Eaton, Produced by Nigel Stafford-Clarke
A dramatisation of the events surrounding a number of killings in Armagh in 1982, and the subsequent ‘Stalker’ inquiry into the allegations of ‘shoot to kill’ policy in operation in the RUC.
Original transmission: ITV 03/06/1990 (120mins)
ITV 04/06/1990 (60mins)
ITV 04/06/1990 (70mins)
The original transmission of ‘Shoot to Kill’ was directly followed by a discussion show concerning the issues raised by the series. It was simply called ‘The Issues’ and was chaired by Olivia O’Leary. Some of those directly involved in the ‘Stalker’ inquiry (featured in the drama) also appeared in the discussion, as well as the director Peter Kosminsky, a member of Amnesty International and a number of MPs. Due to the hard-hitting nature of the series, and taking legal advice into account, UTV refused to show ‘Shoot to Kill’ in Northern Ireland.
The film featured allegations that the police in Northern Ireland was running a hit squad to kill active paramilitaries. The widespread belief that the police were murdering suspects in this way may have delayed the amelioration of relationships between the police and the Catholic community.
Further Infomation
Genre
Documentary/drama (Three-part serial) - Broadcast
Company
Zenith Productions (for Yorkshire Television)
Release Year
1990Period Set
1982WRITER(s)/ DIRECTOR(s)/ PRODUCER(s)
Writer
Michael Eaton
Director
Peter Kosminsky
Producer
Nigel Stafford-Clarke
ACTORS
Jack Shepherd - John Stalker
David Calder - Det Chief Supt John Thorburn
John Ryan - Det Chief Insp John Simons
Jane Cunliffe - Det Sgt Eileen Scarrett
T.P. McKenna - Chief Con Sir John Hermon
Ian McElhinney - Asst Chief Con Trevor Forbes
Oliver Maguire - Det Supt Thomas George Anderson
George Shane - Det Chief Insp Samuel George Flanagan
Patrick Drury - Detective Inspector
Richard Hawley - Con John Robinson
Gary Whelan - Con David Brannigan
Aaron Harris - Sergeant X
Daragh O'Malley - Constable X
Dick Holland - Constable Z
Peter Cellier - MI5 officer
Barry Birch - Michael Tighe
Breffni McKenna - Martin McCauley
James Greene - Director of Public Prosecutions for NI
Tony Mathews - HM Insp of Constabulary for the NW
Peadar Lamb - Mr Tighe
Stevan Rimkus - IRA informant
Denys Hawthorne - Professor Marshall