Denial (2016)

Acclaimed writer and historian Deborah E. Lipstadt must battle for historical truth to prove the Holocaust actually occurred when David Irving, a renowned denier, sues her for libel.

Director:

Mick Jackson

Writers:

Deborah Lipstadt (based on the book "History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier" by) (as Deborah E. Lipstadt), David Hare (screenplay by)

Stars:

Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Spall

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rachel Weisz	...	Deborah Lipstadt
Tom Wilkinson	...	Richard Rampton
Timothy Spall	...	David Irving
Andrew Scott	...	Anthony Julius
Jack Lowden	...	James Libson
Caren Pistorius	...	Laura Tyler
Alex Jennings	...	Sir Charles Gray
Harriet Walter	...	Vera Reich
Mark Gatiss	...	Prof. Robert Jan Van Pelt
John Sessions	...	Prof. Richard Evans
Nikki Amuka-Bird	...	Libby Holbrook
Pip Carter	...	Anthony Forbes-Watson
Jackie Clune	...	Heather Rogers
Will Attenborough	...	Thomas Skelton-Robinson
Max Befort	...	Nik Wachsman

Storyline

Based on the acclaimed book "History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier," DENIAL recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt's (Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz) legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (Cannes Award winner Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In the English legal system in Defamation, the burden of proof is on the accused, therefore it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust occurred. Also starring two-time Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson, the film is directed by Emmy Award winner Mick Jackson ("Temple Grandin") and adapted for the screen by BAFTA and Academy Award nominated writer David Hare (THE READER). Producers are Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff.

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Plot Keywords:

anti semitism | courtroom | holocaust denial | holocaust | historian | 

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Taglines:

The whole world knows the Holocaust happened. Now she needs to prove it.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English German Hebrew

Release Date:

21 October 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Negação

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$93,728, 2 October 2016, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$4,072,226, 16 December 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, Krasnoff / Foster Entertainment, Participant Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First theatrical film directed by Mick Jackson in 14 years. His previous theatrical film was The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest (2002). He did direct the made for TV movie Temple Grandin, in 2010

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Goofs

There are numerous references by the lawyer and by leading counsel to British and/or UK law, which does not exist. English law and Scottish law are different and therefore the reference should only have been to English law. There are also several references to 'discovery' which is an American legal term. The English equivalent would be disclosure, and the English legal team would certainly have known this and used the correct terminology.

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Quotes

Sir Charles Gray: Yes, this is a question I have to ask you, Mr. Rampton.
Richard Rampton: Yes, by all means, my lord.
Sir Charles Gray: My question is this: If somebody is antisemitic, antisemitic and extremist, he is perfectly capable of being honestly antisemitic, yes? He's holding those views and expressing those views because they are indeed his views.
Richard Rampton: Well, yes.
Sir Charles Gray: And so it seems to me, if it comes down to it, that the antisemitism is a completely separate allegation and has precious little bearing on your broader charge that he has ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in WatchMojo: Top 10 Great Movies You Missed This Fall (2016)

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Soundtracks

Dies Bildnis Ist Bezaubernd Schon
By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by The Cavendish Orchestra
Published by Cavendish Music Co. Ltd.
Courtesy of Cavendish Music

User Reviews

Captivating

This film tells the story of a American Jewish female author, who is sued for libel by a historian who believes that the Holocaust did not happen. She has to prove that the Holocaust happened, and that the historian lied with intention.

When I first heard from my friend about the story of this film, I let out a loud disbelief. I cannot quite believe that people have to prove that the Holocaust happened in the court. Hence, I was captivated by the story right from the start, hoping to see the ins and outs of the story. The courtroom drama is riveting and engaging, and culminates in an emotional climax. Thanks for bringing this ridiculous court case to the film screen, as I otherwise would not have known about it.