Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson (left) and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller at the launch of a documentary on Patterson's life on the lawns of Jamaica House, Hope Road, St. Andrew, on Tuesday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

PJ. PATTERSON, the former Prime Minister whose career in public service spanned over 50 years, is the subject of a new documentary which was launched at Jamaica House Tuesday evening.

A full house turned out at the official residence of the Prime Minister to watch P.J. Patterson: Fulfilling a Legacy of Leadership.

Mr. Patterson, 71, resigned as president of the People's National Party (PNP) and Jamaica's seventh Prime Minister in 2006. He served in both posts for 14 years.

Looking relaxed and dapper in a dark suit, Mr. Patterson basked in the adulation of admirers, following the viewing of the 63-minute piece.

It reflected on his days growing up in rural Hanover to his education at Calabar High School and the University College of the West Indies, to his rise as a politician and lawyer.

He told The Gleaner that it is important the documentary is preserved.

"I hope it will be a part of our archival material and I hope that people from time to time will look back and see what we tried to do, how much we achieved and what remains to be done," Mr. Patterson said.

10 months to complete

Fulfilling a Legacy of Leadership was produced by the Creative Productions Training Centre (CPTC), and deputy chief executive officer and senior producer at the CPTC, Kirk Buchanan, said the documentary took 10 months to complete.

"It may not be the most probing documentary on his life, but it spoke to the good times and bad times," Buchanan said.

Through interviews with PNP stalwarts such as David Coore, political rival Edward Seaga and close friends Burchell Whiteman and Dr. Vin Lawrence, Fulfilling a Legacy of Leadership examines P.J. Patterson the political organiser, statesman and family man.

There are also contributions from world leaders, including Cuban President, Fidel Castro, Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo and President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana.

Mr. Patterson also commented on what he believes are the accomplishments of his tenure as Prime Minister. These include the construction of highways, making thousands of homes accessible to working-class Jamaicans and improving the health sector. He spoke openly as well of the shortfalls such as the so-called financial meltdown of the early 1990s, the 1998 gas riots and societal breakdown.

Paul Burke, who joined the PNP when Mr. Patterson was managing Michael Manley's campaign for the presidency of the party in the late 1960s, said the documentary merely scratched the surface, considering the depth of his contributions.

"Although I think it is accurate, I don't think it can do justice to his total contribution as to what he did for the PNP or Jamaica ... I think it needs a part two and possibly a part three," said Burke.

Buchanan said it should be available to the public on DVD in one month. He said several copies will be distributed to schools and libraries.