Watch ReMastered: The Miami Showband Massacre

ReMastered: The Miami Showband Massacre is a 2019 documentary film about a tragic event that occurred on July 31, 1975, in Northern Ireland. It is directed by Stuart Sender and produced by esteemed filmmaker, Massy Tadjedin. The story revolves around the famous musical troupe, the Miami Showband, who were known for their soulful performances in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The band was on a tour and was returning from a gig in Banbridge, Northern Ireland, when they were stopped by a group of masked men at a checkpoint. The men, who were members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), forced the band to perform a set of songs, which they appreciated. However, while the band members were packing their instruments, a bomb that was planted in their van by the UVF exploded, killing three of the band members.

The documentary interviews the surviving band members, including bassist Stephen Travers, who was one of the victims but survived, and the families of the deceased members. It also features interviews with politicians, including former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who discuss the political climate of the time and the events that led up to the massacre.

The film provides a detailed overview of how the UVF operated, including interviews with Alan Brecknell, a former UVF member who revealed how he was recruited and what he was instructed to do. The documentary explores the concept of 'collusion,' which is the practice of state forces indirectly aiding paramilitaries.

In addition, ReMastered: The Miami Showband Massacre also looks at the investigation that followed the massacre, which was fraught with controversy and was said to be lacking in proper investigation. In this regard, the film looks at the role of the media in covering the event and the subsequent political fallout that came as a result.

Throughout the film, there is a lot of great archival footage, including concert footage of the Miami Showband as well as news reports from the time, which help recreate the atmosphere of the period. The archival footage and dramatizations bring to life the excitement and joy of the Miami Showband as a group of musicians, and it is painful to watch how their lives were abruptly cut short.

The documentary is very well researched and presents a balanced perspective on the Miami Showband Massacre, with interviews with some of the key people involved who also provide an account of their side of the story. The film highlights the recurring theme of politics driving such attacks, where musicians and civilians become the target of an extreme ideology.

Overall, ReMastered: The Miami Showband Massacre is a gripping and emotional documentary that sheds light on one of the worst atrocities of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. It is an important film that illumines the bravery of musicians and the hope that comes with music. The film is exceptionally well made and directed to provide a riveting and harrowing account of the Miami Showband Massacre, with interviews and archive footage adding a personal touch that makes it all the more significant.

ReMastered: The Miami Showband Massacre is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.