The Duke

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2:19

The Duke

R

Released Apr 22, 2022

1h 36m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

148 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In 1961, Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver, 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.

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Critics Consensus

A sweet swan song for director Roger Michell, The Duke offers a well-acted and engaging dramatization of an entertainingly improbable true story.

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

The Duke may superficially seem like old hat, but in its comfortable ways there’s still a strong message.

May 5, 2022

Full Review

Rex Reed

Observer

A charming, understated and completely enjoyable frolic about how ordinary people can do extraordinary things that seems doubly startling because, while seeming implausible, it also happens to be absolutely true.

Rated: 3/4

May 4, 2022

Full Review

Ty Burr

Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack)

It’s a daft, lovely story, and it opens up like a flower – the final half hour is deeply and unexpectedly moving.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 29, 2022

Full Review

Geoffrey Macnab

iNews.co.uk

A reminder of the Notting Hill director’s formidable talent, and stands alongside his best work, combining humour, sharp and acerbic social observation, and a big emotional kick.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 17, 2025

Full Review

Zach Youngs

InSession Film

The Duke is a joyful caper that makes you think about how much more we could all be doing to impact the lives of others around us if we just stuck our noses out a little bit.

Rated: B

Jul 3, 2024

Full Review

Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Thanks to [Broadbent's] performance — and the note-perfect direction of the late, great Roger Michell — a quirky footnote of history becomes a sweet, unexpectedly moving story about solidarity and the power of the underdog.

Dec 8, 2023

Full Review

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Jeffrey R

Heartwarming true story, loved it!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/13/22

Full Review

Jane2lCB

Shows the humanity of a working class family in Great Britain in early 1960s. Each member has issue(s) to cope with and each doesn't necessarily conform to what was the accepted norms of the time. But love does weave through the tale and unity returns in the end.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/12/22

Full Review

Mary03

Such a cute story! We loved it! It was well acted, the scenery was authentic. Helen Mirren brought clout to the movie. It was just the type of movie we need right now..Honest, sweet and uplifting. My husband felt the same.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/22

Full Review

Diana

We had to make up the dialog as it went along since it was almost unintelligible. However the movie was incredibly sweet and well worth seeing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/09/22

Full Review

Moises

This brick is calling all bricks to assemble and view this wonderful story. :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/01/22

Full Review

Eve

Lovely story. Starts off slow but builds to a satisfying conclusion.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/31/22

Full Review

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Roger Michell

Director

Jim Broadbent

Kempton Bunton

Helen Mirren

Lilya Frances

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Jackie Bunton

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The Duke: Featurette - Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren

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The Duke: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In 1961, Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver, 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.

Director: Roger Michell
Producer: Nicky Bentham
Screenwriter: Richard Bean, Clive Coleman
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Neon Films, Screen Yorkshire, Ingenious Media, Pathé Films, Great Bison Productions
Rating: R (Language and Brief Sexuality)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 22, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 26, 2022
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.5M
Runtime: 1h 36m

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