Longford (2006)

Longford Poster

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

Intro
"Longford", launched in 2006, is a powerful British tv drama movie about Lord Longford, a popular British public figure, and his controversial friendship with infamous kid killer Myra Hindley. The movie is directed by Tom Hooper and written by Peter Morgan, while Jim Broadbent and Samantha Morton starred as Longford and Hindley, respectively.

Plot Overview
"Longford" dives into the journey of Frank Pakenham, the 7th Earl of Longford, who was a questionable figure due to his campaign for the parole of Myra Hindley. Longford, a devout Roman Catholic, is represented as a pastor with a strong belief in the power of divine grace, redemption, and forgiveness. He becomes thinking about the case of Myra Hindley, who was serving a life sentence for involvement in the Moors murders together with her enthusiast Ian Brady, criminally infamous for their brutal child killings in the 1960s.

Myra, at first wondering about of Longford, gradually opens up since of his genuine empathy and the hope he brings of a possible parole. This stirs public outrage as Longford projects for Myra's parole, believing in her regret and rehab. His relationship with Hindley becomes a critical point of dispute in his life and adversely affects his public image.

Characters and Performances
Jim Broadbent's portrayal of Lord Longford is remarkable, encapsulating the character's eccentric nature, unwavering commitment, and compassion. The audience's compassions are masterfully managed as Broadbent presents a complicated character fumbling with his convictions. Samantha Morton as Myra Hindley is likewise exceptional, offering a haunting performance as she oscillates between apparent remorse and hidden control, keeping audiences and Longford on tenterhooks about her real nature.

Styles
The motion picture deftly navigates through themes of morality, redemption, and public judgement. It presents the audience to concerns about forgiveness for violent lawbreakers, the credibility of regret, and the capacity for modification. As Longford's faith and belief in redemption are challenged - from facing public disgrace, to betrayal by Myra Hindley, who later on confesses lying about her regret - the essence of unconditional forgiveness is depicted with a potent force.

Vital Acclaim
"Longford" received important acclaim granting Broadbent the Best Actor award and Morton the Best Actress nomination at the 2007 Primetime Emmy Awards. The movie won the very best Single Drama award at the 2007 BAFTA television Awards, especially applauding Hooper's confident instructions that effectively frames the ethical dilemmas and individual trials faced by Longford.

Conclusion
In summary, "Longford" is an engaging exploration of faith, forgiveness, and the general public's thirst for vengeance against a reviled criminal. It strongly paints the transformation of Lord Longford from a sympathetic, somewhat naïve figure promoting for remorseful lawbreakers to a deeply conflicted male grappling with betrayal and extreme public refuse. Regardless of the serious topic, the movie remains nuanced and balanced, leaving audiences with complicated moral questions to contemplate. "Longford" is therefore a gripping portrayal of a difficult real-life drama.

Top Cast

  • Jim Broadbent (small)
    Jim Broadbent
    Lord Longford
  • Lindsay Duncan (small)
    Lindsay Duncan
    Lady Elizabeth Longford
  • Samantha Morton (small)
    Samantha Morton
    Myra Hindley
  • Andy Serkis (small)
    Andy Serkis
    Ian Brady
  • Kate Miles (small)
    Kate Miles
    Rachel Pakenham
  • Alex Blake (small)
    Alex Blake
    Paddy Packenham
  • Sarah Crowden (small)
    Sarah Crowden
    Lady Tree
  • Robert Pugh (small)
    Robert Pugh
    Harold Wilson
  • Anton Rodgers (small)
    Anton Rodgers
    Willie Whitelaw
  • Kika Markham (small)
    Kika Markham
    Governor Wing
  • Tam Dean Burn (small)
    Tam Dean Burn
    Roy