The Scott Watson case once again came under the spotlight after a recent 'North and South' magazine article in which we finally got to hear quotes from Watson himself and it was fascinating. After reading this and once again becoming entranced by the case, I thought it was time I finally purchased 'Murder on the Blade?' and gave it a watch. I'm glad I did. It's a very finely produced piece of journalism from a man who clearly knows the case inside out and just how absurd it truly is.
Anyone with a half a brain can work out pretty quickly that there's no way in the world Watson actually committed this crime. The question is how did he ever get convicted? With a lot of suspicious behaviour on the part of the New Zealand police it would have to be said. I've been to Marlborough and asked locals their opinion on the case and the first thing they ever say is that he's the type of bloke that "could" have done. He even admits himself in the interview he wasn't the most likable guy. It seems the police got this opinion in their mind and then were never able to deter themselves from it, despite every piece of evidence indicating there was no way this could be the case.
It's a fairly dry documentary but if you have the least bit of interest in the case this won't bother you. I would have liked to see it ended with an impassioned speech by Keith Hunter stating just how disgusted he was with what has gone on here. A powerful ending was perhaps missing but the information provided beforehand spoke for itself. Be prepared for some pretty horrendous acting in the reenactment scenes but aside from that it's a very well made piece of New Zealand television. Make sure you give it a look.
