The Duke is the true story of Kempton Bunton (a masterful Jim Broadbent), a 60-year old taxi driver, who, in 1961, 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. 

This spectacular, big-hearted film is the joyful celebration we all deserve to start off a brand new year. 

Official Selection:

Venice Film Festival 2020

Reviews:

“A STIRRING COMEDY THAT SPEAKS MOVINGLY TO OUR TIMES.” – THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (UK)

“JIM BROADBENT IS ASTOUNDING.” - THE TIMES (UK)

“HELEN MIRREN IS MARVELLOUS.” – i NEWS

“A RIDICULOUSLY CHARMING BRITISH COMEDY.” – PLAYLIST

“CLEVER FROM THE TITLE ON DOWN.” – HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

“THE DUKE WILL STEAL YOUR HEART.” – DAILY MAIL (UK)

Director: Roger Mitchell

Starring: Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Matthew Goode, Fionn Whitehead

Genre: Biopic, Comedy, Drama

Release Date: TBC

Country: UK

Running Time: 95 minutes

Language: English

COARSE LANGUAGE AND A SEX SCENE

PRESENTED BY THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN AND DOMAIN TRUST