Let Him Have It | Christopher Eccleston, Tom Courtenay

Let Him Have It | Christopher Eccleston, Tom Courtenay | depressing, realistic look at a justice case gone wrong.

DVDs:

Let Him Have It

	Let Him Have It Christopher Eccleston, Tom Courtenay Image Entertainment, 2005 average customer review:based on 12 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

The shocking true story that rocked England comes to the screen in this searing drama about crime and a travesty of justice. In the 1950s, mentally challenged Derek Bentley becomes friends with dangerous, gun-toting Chris Craig, who idolizes gangster films and dreams of rising in the crime world. However, one violent night will change their destinies forever and lead them to a courtroom where the entire future of the country is about to be changed. Starring Christopher Eccleston (28 Days Later, The Others, TV's Doctor Who, Gone in Sixty Seconds) in his first lead role Featuring Tom Courtenay> (Doctor Zhivago, Billy Liar), Eileen Atkins (Cold Mountain, Gosford Park), Paul Reynolds (Croupier, The Beastmaster), Michael Gough (Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, Batman) From acclaimed director Peter Medak (The Ruling Class, Romeo Is Bleeding, The Changeling) SPECIAL FEATURES: Brand New Digital Anamorphic Transfer - New Audio Commentary with Director Peter Medak - Theatrical Trailer

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A Magnificent Achievement!!!

I won't bother telling the plot of this film since so many other reviewers have outlined it in great detail. I will only say there is no greater cinematic indictment of the death penalty than this devastating film. What gives it special significance, of course, is that it is based on a true case - a case that eventually led to abolition of capital punishment in Great Britain. I shutter to think of the number of innocent people executed in countries (including the so-called "civilized" United States) practicing capital punishment in order to satisfy the public's hasty and often misguided need for revenge. LET HIM HAVE IT will have a profound impact on anyone who sees it, regardless of his/her stand on the death penalty.

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depressing, realistic look at a justice case gone wrong.

christopher plays the main character put to death for a crime he didn't do.
he was hanged for it.
mixing in with the wrong set of people, he finds himself the
center of conviction for a man's death in a shooting.
a "friend" of his is on a rooftop with him, being chased by
police. his friend points the gun at the guy. the cop says
to hand the gun over. he refuses. then christopher, not wanting
any more trouble with the law, says "let him have it"----
meaning give the cop the gun....NOT SHOOT HIM.
thus began a trial of a misunderstood phrase with led to a death sentance. to this day, family members in england are still trying to clear his name for innocence.
sad, well acted, and extremely thought provoking.

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Definitely a gotta have it!

A haunting drama, based on a true story, which takes you back into the past of 1950's London to follow the life of Derek Bently (Christopher Eccleston). Christopher Eccleston's portrayal is quite realistic and draws you into Derek's plight (I'm a RN and I had to fight not to spring to Chris's aid during his scenes where he seized as Derek- yes, they were THAT convincing). Fair warning, if you cry at movies, have the tissues handy. If you are a new or long time fan of Christopher Eccleston, you have to get a copy of this work.

A Warning for Parents of Special Needs Children

This is the heart wrenching tale of what happens when an intellectually delayed young man, starving for social interaction, gets mixed up with characters likely to socialize with intellectually delayed young men. Not to give too much away, but the protagonist, Derek Bently, is mentally slow, but comes from a good, loving family. Due to his special needs, he doesn't have any peers to interact with (besides his sister). The result is that some low-life juvenile hooligans use him in the participation of criminal behavior. When things go wrong and the police move in, who ends up holding the bag? I'll give you a clue, it's not the juveniles. The movie is based on a true story. It has a very solid cast of characters, including the actors in secondary roles. The best roles, however are played by Derek's parents, solid working class people who do everything right to protect their son, but fail nonetheless.

It's alarming, not just because I'm the parent of a special needs child, but because in my profession, I've seen this same scenario played out a hundred times. Most frequently, the "users" befriend the slow witted-individual and ask him to pawn stolen property, or to participate in its theft. The excuse give is that it's okay because the property owner told them they could take it, but they need help lifting the property, or they don't have an I.D. to present at the pawn shop.

In the movie, the above M.O. is being carries out, when things go horribly wrong. Although the movie is meant as a social commentary and an argument against the death penalty, it's lessons are valid for anyone who might be drug "unwittingly" into a criminal escapade.

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Craig and Bentley.

I am old enough to remember the case. A miscarriage of justice if ever there was one. The DVD is brilliant. Well worth buying. Enjoy.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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