Pathé has sent us over the Official UK Trailer for the uplifting but eccentric comedy drama The Duke starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren.
The British film which premiered at last year’s Venice Film Festival is the latest from Roger Mitchell (Notting Hill). Based around the true story of Kempton Bunton who stole Goya’s portrait of The Duke Of Wellington. Only to return the painting when the government provides more care for pensioners and free Television.
Ironically 60 years on the many pensioners are treated badly by the current government. They are about to remove free Television from a section of pensioners too. We do love Jim Broadbent who delivers a wonderful range of characters. He’s especially great in comedy, maybe he should have gotten Helen Mirren to be the getaway driver, cough Fast & Furious 9?!
THE DUKE is a moving true story that celebrates a man who was determined to live a meaningful life. Set in 1961, it follows the story of Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver, who stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. It was the first, and remains the only, theft in the Gallery’s history. Kempton proceeded to send ransom notes declaring that he would only return the painting on the condition that the government invest more in care for the elderly, specifically bringing attention to his long running campaign for pensioners to receive free television.
What happened next is the stuff of legends…only 50 years later did the full story emerge and it was revealed that Kempton had spun a web of lies. The only truth was that he was a good man, determined to change the world and save his marriage – how and why he used the Duke to achieve this, is a wonderfully uplifting tale that will be seen on film for the first time.
The film cast also includes the likes of Matthew Goode, Charlotte Spencer, Fionn Whitehead, and John Heffernan.
The Duke will be released in UK and Irish Cinemas from 3rd September.
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