The Verdict

Can it be justified to shoot down a civilian plane, converted by terrorists into a deadly suicide missile? Can "human arithmetic" be a legal calculus? With the audience in the judge's seat, the TV Event THE VERDICT is a legal thriller testing the fundamental values of democracy.

The concept: The audience witnesses the trial. After the hearing of the air force pilot the viewers have to judge for themselves by voting live online, via telephone or text message: guilty or innocent? Depending on the outcome of the viewer's vote either the conviction or the acquittal of the pilot will be broadcasted. Recent terror attacks have proven how high the price might be we will have to pay for freedom, or are we willing to sacrifice human dignity for security?

THE VERDICT engages the audience into a discussion highly relevant to our democratic societies and offers versatile possibilities to follow up on the topic with political talk shows and other formats, thus turning a linear fictional program into an interactive and captivating TV event.

The case: Terrorists hijack a civil airplane and force the pilot to set course for a sold-out football stadium. At the last minute and against the explicit orders of his wing commander, a German air force pilot shoots down the airplane before it crashes into the stadium. Saving the lives of tens of thousands but killing all passengers on board he faces charges for his action in court.

German bestseller author and attorney Ferdinand von Schirach's courtroom thriller is terrifyingly topical. (official distributor synopsis)