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The Duke

Play trailer 2:19 Poster for The Duke R 2022 1h 36m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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The Duke

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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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Critics Reviews

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Richard Whittaker Austin Chronicle 05/05/2022
The Duke may superficially seem like old hat, but in its comfortable ways there’s still a strong message. Go to Full Review Rex Reed Observer 05/04/2022
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Ty Burr Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack) 04/29/2022
3/4
It’s a daft, lovely story, and it opens up like a flower – the final half hour is deeply and unexpectedly moving. Go to Full Review Geoffrey Macnab iNews.co.uk 01/17/2025
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Zach Youngs InSession Film 07/03/2024
B
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. Go to Full Review Farah Cheded A Good Movie To Watch 12/08/2023
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jeffrey R 06/13/2022 Heartwarming true story, loved it! See more Jane2lCB 06/12/2022 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. See more Mary03 06/12/2022 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. See more Diana 06/09/2022 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. See more Moises 06/01/2022 This brick is calling all bricks to assemble and view this wonderful story. :) See more Eve 05/31/2022 Lovely story. Starts off slow but builds to a satisfying conclusion. See more Read all reviews
The Duke

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Cast & Crew

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Roger Michell

Director

Jim Broadbent

Kempton Bunton

Helen Mirren

Lilya Frances

Fionn Whitehead

Jackie Bunton

Aimée Kelly

Irene

Craig Conway

Mr. Walker

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The Duke

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The Duke

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Movie Info

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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