Set mostly in the post-War 1950's "Let Him Have It" tells the true & tragic story of Derek Bentley, a young man with mental health issues & epilepsy, who falls in with Chris Craig & the wrong gang. Craigs elder brother is a hoodlem & Craig is clearly just a boy who wants to play "gangster" who during a botched robery shoots dead a police officer. The title of the movie is based on what Bentley said to Craig during the heist, yet did Bentley say "Let him have it" meaning to give up his gun, or an order to shoot?
Chris Ecclestone is utterly spine tingling as Bentley & his character is very well developed in the sense that he is something of a gentle giant, who has unfortunatly been hardened by being sent to approved school. However he has the support of his loving sister & their closeness is very touching as they play records & go shopping together. The screenplay is steady & weaves the story at a good pace, with an excellent script that was based on court transcripts from the case. & during the time of this films original run, brought back to the public attention of the gross injustice Bentley suffered which eventually lead to the banning of execution in Britain, & his full pardon.
This movie is very well made & beautifully acted, making it both compelling, yet heartbreaking to watch. It is also testament to horrific injustice suffered by a young man who had the mind of a child who had been lead along the wrong path. Simply put, this is Derek Bentleys story... May God rest your soul, sir x
Chris Ecclestone is utterly spine tingling as Bentley & his character is very well developed in the sense that he is something of a gentle giant, who has unfortunatly been hardened by being sent to approved school. However he has the support of his loving sister & their closeness is very touching as they play records & go shopping together. The screenplay is steady & weaves the story at a good pace, with an excellent script that was based on court transcripts from the case. & during the time of this films original run, brought back to the public attention of the gross injustice Bentley suffered which eventually lead to the banning of execution in Britain, & his full pardon.
This movie is very well made & beautifully acted, making it both compelling, yet heartbreaking to watch. It is also testament to horrific injustice suffered by a young man who had the mind of a child who had been lead along the wrong path. Simply put, this is Derek Bentleys story... May God rest your soul, sir x