Let Him Have It (1991)

Director:

Peter Medak

Writers:

Neal Purvis (writer) &
Robert Wade (writer)

Release Date:

January 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | History

Tagline:

The shocking story of an unbelievable miscarriage of justice.

Plot:

In 1950s England, slow-witted Derek Bentley falls in with a group of petty criminals led by Chris Craig...

Plot Keywords:

Capital Punishment | Slow Witted | 1950s | Gangster | Friendship

Cast

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

Also Known As:

L'âge de vivre (France)

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

France | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Cranbury Road, Reading, Berkshire, England, UK

Company:

British Screen Productions

Trivia:

Original director Alex Cox was replaced by Peter Medak because Cox wanted to film in black and white.

Goofs:

Continuity: 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.

Quotes:

William Bentley: Have you been with that Craig?
Derek Bentley: Did he come round here?
William Bentley: Yeah.
Derek Bentley: Don't worry about him, dad, he's just barmy that's all.

Movie Connections:

References House of Dracula (1945)

A chilling tale

I did not know about this case before I watched this film, but the synopsis on the back of the video case was so compelling I had to rent it. I did not expect to be emotionally involved but it was hard to keep from shouting at the TV screen that it's unfair. The system portrayed seemed almost hellbent on sending Derek to the gallows, guilty or not. Even when evidence seem tainted or appeared to cast doubts on the veracity of some of the testimonies, the only cry ringing out was that a cop was killed and someone's blood must be spilled in revenge. It is chilling to know that sometimes justice can be blinded when emotions are involved, showing how important it must be to fully understand the implications before imposing any penalties which cannot be reversed even if desired.