The BBC has commissioned a new film from IWC Media, Dunblane: The Shooting that Changed Britain (wt), to mark the 30th anniversary of the tragedy.
On the 13th of March 1996, a lone gunman walked into a primary school in Dunblane, near Stirling, and shot dead 16 pupils and their teacher in a Primary 1 gym class. To date, it is the deadliest firearms atrocity in the UK.
As the 30th anniversary of the tragedy approaches, the BBC has commissioned a moving yet powerful documentary film Dunblane: The Shooting that Changed Britain (working title). The 1×60 film, produced by IWC Media, will tell the lesser-known story of Britain’s gun culture at the time and an extraordinary turning point in Britain’s modern history. It will shed new light on one of Britain’s darkest moments and explain how legislative decisions made in the aftermath of the Hungerford shooting in 1987 led – nine years later – to an atrocity which shocked the world.
Dunblane: The Shooting that Changed Britain examines the wave of public anger following Dunblane. The Snowdrop Campaign founded by Ann Pearston, Jacqueline Walsh and Rosemary Hunter, and supported by many of the grieving parents including Mick North, led a hard-fought campaign to introduce a total ban on handguns for private citizens. At first this was met with political and public resistance in some quarters and support in others and led to passionate debates as politicians wrestled with unfathomable grief of the families. Yet the film reveals the steps which led to Britain introducing tough new gun laws over the next 18 months.
Revealing evidence from the government archives, the film will examine both sides of the debate around Britain’s gun laws in the 90’s and include contributions from high profile figures who joined the calls for change. Moving testimony from those affected by the shocking events of that morning, along with archive material captures the mood of the country at that time and provides context around the fight to challenge the status quo.
Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland says: “Scotland and the world was shocked by what happened in Dunblane nearly 30 years ago. Whilst much has been written and broadcast about the terrible events of that morning, our film will seek to shine a light on the courageous story of those who campaigned to get Britain’s gun laws changed forever.”
Simon Young, Head of Commissioning, History, BBC added: “By focusing on the 18 months that followed a terrible tragedy, this film sheds new light on a pivotal moment in British history, demonstrating how moments of despair can inspire movements of profound social change. We are privileged to be working with our colleagues at BBC Scotland and with IWC Media to show how the events of 30 years ago continue to shape Britain today.”
Steve Condie, Executive Producer said: “Dunblane is a moment of unfathomable horror in a small Scottish town but it is also a moment of real historical and political significance – a moment when grief, courage and a surge of emotion collided with the institutions of British power and the culture of the British establishment. Our film will capture a story saturated in sadness but also a revealing portrait of 1990’s Britain and an inspiring vision of how people make change happen”.
Mark Downie, Creative Director of IWC Media, and co-Executive Producer said: “The horrific events of Dunblane almost 30 years ago will forever be one of the worst tragedies to happen in the UK. The fight for change and justice is an important story to tell; we are incredibly grateful to the people who have agreed to take part in the film and honoured that a Scottish filmmaker of the calibre of Steve Condie has returned to make this with us.”
Dunblane: The Shooting that Changed Britain is made by IWC Media (a Banijay UK company) and was commissioned for BBC Scotland, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual and Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning for BBC Scotland. The commissioning editors for the BBC are Simon Young, Head of Commissioning, History and David Harron for BBC Scotland. The film will be Executive Produced by Steve Condie (Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution; My Life as a Rolling Stone).
It will be broadcast on BBC Scotland, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in 2026.
Jon Creamer
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