Longford (2006)

A portrait of Lord Longford, a tireless British campaigner whose controversial beliefs often resulted in furious political debate and personal conflict.

Director:

Tom Hooper

Writer:

Peter Morgan

Stars:

Lee Boardman, Jim Broadbent, Tam Dean Burn

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 13 wins & 32 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lee Boardman	...	Talk Show Host
Jim Broadbent	...	Lord Longford
Tam Dean Burn	...	Roy
Lindsay Duncan	...	Lady Elizabeth Longford
Kate Miles	...	Rachel Pakenham
Sarah Crowden	...	Lady Tree
Robert Pugh	...	Harold Wilson
Caroline Clegg	...	Longford's Secretary
Samantha Morton	...	Myra Hindley
Alex Blake	...	Paddy Pakenham
Roy Barber	...	Father Kahle
Ian Connaughton	...	Reporter
Charlotte West-Oram	...	Downing Street Secretary (as Charlotte West Oram)
Roy Carruthers	...	Albany Prison Officer
Andy Serkis	...	Ian Brady

Storyline

Biopic of Lord Longford, known for many years for his work with prisoners and prisoners rights in general. The film focuses on Longford's work on behalf of Myra Hindley convicted, along with her boyfriend Ian Brady, of several child murders. Hindley is nothing short of notorious and even Longord's wife is shocked when he announces that he will visit her in prison. When Prime Minister Harold Wilson removes him as the Government Leader in the House of Lords soon after his visits to Hindley are made public, Longford continues to work for her release. A devout convert to Roman Catholicism, Longford sees hope for Hindley when he learns that she too once converted to Catholicism. In the end, his campaign to get her released on parole is for naught when she reveals that other murders took place. Longford stood by his convictions however and never regretted the good work he had done over a great many years.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | murder of a child | prisoners' rights | yorkshire england | man wears eyeglasses | 

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Taglines:

The only thing more shocking than her crime was his crusade to free her.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

To look as much as possible like the real Lord Longford, Jim Broadbent wore a prosthetic nose and chin that took two hours to apply each day. A prison guard who had known the real Lord Longford was once very startled when Broadbent entered the prison door in costume. To make himself walk very slowly and lamely when Longford sees Myra Hindley for the last time in the movie (when the character is 92 years old), Broadbent put small, painful stones inside his shoes.

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Goofs

Opening scene: clock in radio studio reads 2:17; radio host announces time check as 2:15. Same scene at end of movie: clock is the same, radio host's time check is 2:20.

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Quotes

Ian Brady: [at first seeing Lord Longford in prison] How good of you not to disappoint! Wonderful, isn't it, when people look *exactly* as you imagined? So this is my competition? This is what I'm up against? Myra's new boyfriend? She certainly picks them, doesn't she? I did a little research before our first meeting. I'd say there's great evidence of mental instability in your past and mine.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojoUK: Top 10 Best Jim Broadbent Performances (2018)

User Reviews

parable

it is a biopic. not an ordinary one. fascinating, touching, strange, delicate exploration of details.in same measure, it is a great occasion for Jim Broadbent to show more than a silhouette but to do not exactly a character portrait but picture of a form to transform worlds. sure, it is a story about Don Quijote avatar. and a beautiful moral lesson about vulnerability, ideal, good intentions, fall. all in a special manner. all as delicate nuances of a testimony. an extraordinary story about good intentions heart. and about idealism as only form to define reality. a film. almost amazing. and extraordinary art of a great actor.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 February 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Moormörderin von Manchester

Filming Locations:

Durham, County Durham, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel 4 Television Corporation, Granada Television, HBO Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1