Murder on the Blade?

It was also the first time a subject like this had been treated on New Zealand television as the filmmaker’s personal point of view, and it took a deep breath by TVNZ to agree to it. But there was little choice. Point of view or no film.

– Keith Hunter, on his website

The NZ Herald reported on polls that had been taken in April 2002 and January 2004, prior to and just after the broadcast (of Murder on the Blade), on public opinion as to the guilt of Peter Ellis, David Bain and Scott Watson. In this period there had been all but no change in opinion about Ellis and Bain ... (but), there had been a remarkable change in views as to Watson. In 2002 59% of New Zealanders had thought him guilty while 24% were unsure. In January 2004 the guilty opinion had dropped to 44% while the unsure rose to 28%.

– Keith Hunter, on his website