Watch A Perfect Crime

A Perfect Crime is a true crime documentary series that explores the assassination of West Germany's attorney general, Siegfried Buback, in 1977. Starring Sam Booth, Theo Waigel, Klaus-Dieter Matschke, and several other real-life individuals who were involved in the case or had knowledge of the events that led up to it, the show provides a gripping and in-depth look at one of the most shocking crimes of the late 20th century.

The first episode introduces viewers to the context surrounding Buback's assassination. Germany was in the midst of a period of political turmoil, with left-wing radicals, known as the Red Army Faction (RAF), engaging in a campaign of violence against the state. Buback was a high-profile target for the RAF because he was responsible for prosecuting and imprisoning many of its members. The episode also introduces the main suspects in Buback's murder: Brigitte Mohnhaupt and Christian Klar, two senior members of the RAF who were eventually convicted of the crime many years later.

Subsequent episodes delve deeper into the events leading up to the assassination, interviewing former RAF members and officials from the German government and police force for their perspectives. The show explores the tactics employed by the RAF, such as bank robberies, kidnappings, and bombings, and the government's attempts to crack down on the group. The series also examines the communication breakdowns among various government agencies that could have prevented Buback's murder.

A Perfect Crime is not just a retelling of the events surrounding Buback's assassination; it also examines the larger social and political context of Germany in the 1970s. The show explores how the RAF formed and grew, as well as the government's response to the group's violent activities. Viewers gain an understanding of how the political climate of the time led to the conditions that allowed for such a crime to occur.

What sets A Perfect Crime apart from other documentaries about true crime is its focus on the human element of the story. The show features interviews with Buback's widow and children, as well as former RAF members who reflect on the choices they made decades ago. The interviews provide insight into the complex motivations of those involved in the story and offer a deeper understanding of the toll that political violence takes on individuals and families.

The series also examines the investigative processes that ultimately led to the convictions of Mohnhaupt and Klar. While the show does not offer any definitive answers about who was responsible for Buback's assassination, it provides a thorough exploration of the evidence and raises important questions about the legal process and its limitations.

Overall, A Perfect Crime is a captivating and thought-provoking true crime documentary series. It offers a nuanced and insightful look at Germany's political history and its legacy, while also telling the gripping tale of a shocking crime and the individuals who were impacted by it. Fans of true crime and history buffs alike will find much to appreciate in this gripping and engaging series.

A Perfect Crime is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between September 25, 2020 and on Netflix