Longford (2006) (TV)

Director:

Tom Hooper

Writer:

Peter Morgan (written by)

Release Date:

17 February 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Prisoner | Murder | House Of Lords | Prime Minister | Prison

Awards:

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 8 wins & 17 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Durham, County Durham, England, UK

Company:

Channel 4 Television Corporation

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.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the end scene we see Hindley with a packet of cigarette's. However, the packet has a health warning on it which was not introduced until 2004 - Myra Hindley died in 2002.

Quotes:

[after visiting Myra Hindley in prison]
Lady Elizabeth Longford: It seemed to me that for years I have been merrily attacking your father for supporting her, without having the slightest idea what I was talking about. And I must say my eyes have been opened, rather. Ironically, the thing that finally persuaded me to offer her my help was the very same thing that had so made me hate her in the first place: the fact that she is a woman...

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards (2007) (TV)

Good vs evil - a question of faith.

This surely is one of the best made for TV dramas you are likely to see, superbly written and featuring a stunning performance from Jim Broadbent as Lord Longford. I had only ever regarded Longford as an eccentric old fool until watching this film which reveals what great humanity and compassion the man had. He finds Myra Hindley does not appear to be the monster the media built her up to be and Longford believes there may be some good in her but she is eventually shown to be as devious and manipulative as Ian Brady said she was. Brady is portrayed by Andy Serkis in a performance of incredibly raw and shocking power and you are left in no doubt that the only place for this dangerous man is behind bars, away from the public at large. It is only when Longford finds out he has been deceived that he finally listens to a copy of the infamous tape of the murders that has been sent to him anonymously through the post and thereafter he begins to question his own faith. Towards the end of both their lives Longford meets Hindley once more and in a truly shocking scene Hindley reveals her own spirituality and repentance, although not in the manner that he or anyone else could have expected. The film mixes documentary film with staged scenes to great effect and feels thoroughly authentic, capturing the era to perfection. I came away from this film feeling great admiration for this man, who may have been misled, but who only had good in his heart and did not know the meaning of hate.