I'm assuming from the coda at the end of this film that Nik Vos is/was a real individual but I cannot find out any other information on the guy. Does this film use a pseudonym for his character - or is he an amalgam of several individuals?
In any case, if anyone can provide a mini biography of the man it would be appreciated...
The head of the real investigation was Fanie Etsebeth. He was interviewed by the local press. The newspaper is called "The Rapport" - 25/02/2007. I will see if I can find the article on-line, and translate it.
sharehttp://152.111.1.251/argief/berigte/rapport/2007/02/24/RH/V/MJcatchfire.html
All the original lead investigator basically says is that they never had to beat him, because he turned immediately. He also showed the newspaper court documents proving that the terrorist never worked at the plant, but was there solely to blow it up and that he was also charged with murdering two people while he was on the run. When the terrorist was confronted with this evidence by the newspaper recently, he simply claimed it to be false. He definitely was no saint!
So at the end of the day, Nik Vos was a conscientious investigator doing his job. Should he be blamed for that?
shareNik Vos beat up Patrick's wife and young Sixpence. Did they deserved to be blamed?
shareIf it is vital information that NV seeks, ugly as it may be, well...there is some merit in the process he is using, to get it.
shareNo its not, Patrick was an innocent man. It was Vos' tactics that turned him into a terrorist. Whats the point of tactics used to combat terrorism if they only create more terrorists not to mention they murdered his friend.
shareCome on, get real. These guys wanted to blow up a major chemical plant and loss of innocents was bound to have taken place no matter what precautions were taken (i.e. blasting the place when everyone was out to lunch or some similar naive nonsense). These guys were terrorists and NV's job was to prevent them from to accomplish their mission. He succeeded and the "badies" were caught. NV would've been the hero who saved the day in other films but, not in the one we're talking about. Did anyone mention "double standards"?
share"Every man is right in his own eyes.." but whatever his internal motivations, Nic Vos/Fanie Etsebeth (or whatever his name is/was) choose to serve Evil. And that isn't something that you can defend.
shareCome on max get real -as you put it.
If we get there who draws the line between "overzealous" question and forcing a confession out of sth?
And what about wrongful mistreating?
I don't want humans to be statistics:1 out of 5 condemned innocent etc
I hear what you say, dim 1377, but if you gotta know this vital piece of info that can prevent the damage and save lives, then a certain degree of "excessive zeal" is understandable. Don't you agree?
shareYou don't answer my question Max.You just repeat the same cold war era argument.
From the Count of Monte Christo to the taxi driver from Cambul,many have suffered due to false accusations.
We will not stoop to the level of the wrong doers.
Will you be as supportive as you are now if it is you who get arrested and mistreated?
Will I feel the same if someone blasts my child?
I really don't know
We must grant this movie and Robins' great performance the motive it gives us to discuss upon the issue.
Cheers Dimitris