Let Him Have It (1991)

In 1950s England, slow-witted Derek Bentley falls in with a group of petty criminals led by Chris Craig, a teenager with a fondness for American gangster films. Chris and Derek's friendship... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Medak

Writers:

Neal Purvis, Robert Wade

Stars:

Christopher Eccleston, Tom Courtenay, Eileen Atkins

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Eccleston	...	Derek Bentley
Tom Courtenay	...	William Bentley
Eileen Atkins	...	Lilian Bentley
Rebecca Eccleston	...	Iris aged 10
Peter Eccleston	...	Derek Bentley aged 8
Craig Turner	...	Derek Bentley aged 14
P.J. Nicholas	...	First Boy in Shed
Bret Walker	...	Second Boy in Shed
Walter Sparrow	...	Nightwatchman
Edward Hardwicke	...	Approved School Principal (as Edward Hardwick)
Clare Holman	...	Iris Bentley
Ben Brazier	...	Denis Bentley
Paul Reynolds	...	Chris Craig
Serena Scott Thomas	...	Stella
Peter Jonfield	...	Butcher

Storyline

In 1950s England, slow-witted Derek Bentley falls in with a group of petty criminals led by Chris Craig, a teenager with a fondness for American gangster films. Chris and Derek's friendship leads to their involvement in the true case which would forever shake England's belief in capital punishment.

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Plot Keywords:

friendship | 1950s | slow witted | gangster | capital punishment | 

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Taglines:

The shocking story of an unbelievable miscarriage of justice.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and violence

Details

Official Sites:

Vine International Pictures Ltd.

Country:

France UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Az igazság malmai

Filming Locations:

Cranbury Road, Reading, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Screen Productions, Canal+, Film Trustees Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last cinema film of 'Michael Elphick'.

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Goofs

In the scene where Derek goes to Chris's house and Chris comes to the window, when Chris tells Derek to leave he draws the curtains and turns the light off. In the next shot in his room the light is on.

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Quotes

Niven Craig: Money ought to be in people's pockets- where we can get at it.

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Connections

Version of To Encourage the Others (1972)

User Reviews

A good film

I was made to watch this about 3 or 4 years ago in my English class. My teacher was a successful lawyer who had quit his high paying job after seeing this film so that he could teach English. He explained to us that the reason for him resigning was that he couldn't believe the dishonesty and destructiveness that was caused by lawyers and judges in the court (or something along those words, I don't remember precisely). Anyway, I thought he was mad but when I watched it I was very surprised, firstly that this film had never come to my attention before, or the case for that matter and secondly that the quality of the movie was almost genius. I didn't understand at the time how seemingly good actors like this had not been getting any media coverage since, or not that I knew of.

Afterwards I was glad I saw it in the English class and got a top grade for my review of it and I subsequently bought the DVD. Paul Reynolds and Christopher Eccleston make the best performances but there's also some good smaller roles in the movie. Not a masterpiece but certainly an underrated but memorable film.