
Let Him Have It
1991, Crime/Drama, 1h 59m
37 Reviews 1,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Led by a gripping performance from Christopher Eccleston, Let Him Have It sounds a compelling call for justice on behalf of its real-life protagonist. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Derek Bentley
Chris Craig
William Bentley
Fairfax
Lilian Bentley
Iris Bentley
Critic Reviews for Let Him Have It
All Critics (37) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (6)
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Courtenay slowly works his way into the center of the movie's sympathies. When he embraces his remaining family at the moment of his son's execution, his sorrow seems boundless.
October 28, 2014 | Full Review… -
As the protagonist/victim, Eccleston gives a superb, riveting performance in his feature-film debut, as does Reynolds, another newcomer who deftly handles the role of the gun-crazy and trigger-happy Chris.
October 28, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review… -
Let Him Have It is unabashedly weighted toward the perspective of the murderer as victim -- a notion that does not enjoy much public currency in our more violent times. But if ever there was a victim of the judicial system, it was Derek Bentley.
October 28, 2014 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review… -
The script, by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, finds enough quirks in its protagonists to lift them above the issues-movie premise. Michael Kamen's atmospheric chamber score is also crucial to the film's success.
October 28, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review… -
A chiaroscuro drama of unstoppable tragedy.
October 28, 2014 | Rating: A- | Full Review… -
Fairness isn't the issue here, dramatic depth is: You don't have to favor capital punishment to feel yourself being manipulated.
October 28, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Let Him Have It
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May 22, 2010Quite a strong movie, based on a true story, highlighting miscarriage of justice.familiar s Super Reviewer
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Jan 26, 2009Well made, dramatic case study of the crime, trial and subsequent execution of Derek Bentley. Director Peter Medak and a very talented cast have put together a powerful argument against capital punishment and a scathing indictment of Britain's jurisprudence.Randy T Super Reviewer
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Aug 05, 2008a pretty good film about petty crime and punishment in 1950s england. christopher eccleston is really quite a good actor and he shows it here. he plays a bit of a special case (as in a bit retarded or something) and well it's pretty obvious that the pigs should've realised he shouldn't have ever gone to court. oh well, same old with the bacon bastards! just a shame eccleston didn't have his re-tardis with him hereSanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
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Apr 09, 2007Intelligent drama in which a mentally challenged petty criminal is railroaded onto the gallows, causing the establishment to re-evaluate it's use of the death penalty. Well acted and thought provoking.xGary X Super Reviewer
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