Crimewatch File: The Lost Boys

Nick Ross presents a reconstruction of the police investigation into the murder of 14-year-old runaway Jason Swift, which led to the uncovering of a sinister paedophile ring. Within days of the discovery of Jason's body, the hunt was on for the killer of another boy, later identified as 6-year-old Barry Lewis. The bodies of both boys showed traces of the kind of tranquillisers commonly used by paedophiles. Leads from Wandsworth prison eventually revealed that the ring may have been involved with as many as 20 murders of young boys. Next week's programme reconstructs the painstaking follow-on investigation called Operation Orchid.

Directed by Bridget Sneyd, Crimewatch File: The Lost Boys leans on a strong ensemble — Nick Ross — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 1994.