Synopsis

In 1961, Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver, 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 sent ransom notes saying that he would return the painting on condition that the government invested more in care for the elderly — he had long campaigned for pensioners to receive free television. What happened next became the stuff of legend. Only 50 years later did the full story emerge — 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 that is a wonderfully uplifting tale.

Critics Views

“It’s a beautifully designed film blending newsreel footage to create evocative images of London in the 1960s. Jim Broadbent delivers a spotless performance as the everyman biting back at the system. A fine cast provide sterling support in a film that ends too quickly. Times change but not always for the better, and we often sacrifice important values in the name of progress. The Duke proves that some old fashioned ways are still relevant today. A delightful film that will get nowhere near the attention it deserves.” UK Film Review

“It is Broadbent and Mirren who are the beating heart of this delightful film.” Daily Mail

“What a lovely, rousing, finally moving film this is.” The Guardian

“A funny-moving story enjoyably retold with classic British understatement and just the right twist at the end.” The Hollywood Reporter

Film Rating

IMDb
 Critics: 77%  Audience 69%

Rotten Tomatoes
Critics positive review 95%   Audience Liked It N/A

 Stockbridge Audience Score: 94%

Audience Comments

I enjoyed the wit and lived hearing the Newcastle accent again!
Beautifully acted, get screenplay, and not a word wasted.
Really enjoyed it.
Α lovely, funny and moving film, brilliant acting. Loved it.
Jim Broadbent predictably brilliant, and the screenplay particularly good in the second half of the film.
Heart-warming, gentle and very enjoyable
Jim Broadbent is delightful, gently funny and charming, backed by an excellent cast.
A proper feel good film.
Two national trinkets/treasures on sparkling form.
Best jokes given away in trailer
Enchanting – especially the two leads
Lived up to being funny and all the better for being based on a true story. Headline actors did nor disappoint.
Eccentricity, classically “British” humour and wonderful characterisation make for a feel good film at its best
Funny well filmed great actors with serious theme And based on a real life story Wonderful
thoroughly enjoyed
Really true to the time, very good film
Thoroughly enjoyed it
Excellent cast, of course. The film managed to be both funny and moving.
Beautifully made and superbly acted by Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren
Masterful . Made me want to visit my dad’s roots in Newcastle.
Although I remember hearing of the theft back in 1961, I knew nothing of the interesting background story which was well portrayed with sympathy and humour. Always worth watching Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren.