Longford

Plot synopsis:
The film begins during the late 1960s (during the first premiership of Harold Wilson) at the House of Lords, with Lord Longford, a regular prison visitor, presiding over a reception for a number of ex-convicts whom he had visited and corresponded with when they were incarcerated. He receives a letter from one of the most notorious criminals in Britain, the Moors Murderer Myra Hindley, who is several years into her life sentence for taking part in the murder of three children with her boyfriend, Ian Brady.
When he visits her, she asks for books but also for him to arrange for her to meet Brady. Longford is shocked and tells her that it would be in her own best interests to have no contact with Brady, as it might harm any future chances of parole. Hindley seems equally shocked at the idea that she would ever be allowed parole. Longford then begins his campaign for Hindley to be paroled, acknowledging that her trial judge had felt that rehabilitation and the chance of eventual parole would be possible for Hindley once removed from the influence of Brady.
The question remains of whether Hindley is indeed reformed — for example, in her decision to convert to Longford's own Roman Catholic faith — or whether she is merely manipulating him and feigning her rehabilitation in an attempt to bring herself closer to release. Longford visits Brady twice; on both occasions, Brady tells him that she is manipulative and that he should turn his back on her, as she is only interested in winning release from prison.
Longford, driven by his deep religious belief that all people are ultimately good, decides to continue on his course, despite heavy public, political, and family criticism and even though it turns out that Hindley has not been honest with him. His own wife even advises him to find another cause to pursue for his family's good as well as his own.
In 1986, Hindley reveals that she and Brady were responsible for two further murders. She later helps police locate the body of one of the victims.
Even as Hindley's revelations spark yet more public hostility towards Longford, for trying to win her release, he remains loyal to Hindley in public and continues to back her campaign for release. Privately, he is depicted as being affected by doubts. He is last seen visiting her in prison in the late 1990s, by which time he is frail and in his nineties. Hindley, still in her fifties, is in a declining state of health.
As the film ends and just before the credits start to roll, we are informed that Longford died in August 2001, while Hindley did not win the parole that she spent many years fighting for. She remained imprisoned until her death in November 2002.

Tags: cruelty, murder, flashback

Review:
This surely is one of the best made for TV dramas you are likely to see, superbly written and featuring a stunning performance from Jim Broadbent as Lord Longford.
I had only ever regarded Longford as an eccentric old fool until watching this film which reveals what great humanity and compassion the man had.
He finds Myra Hindley does not appear to be the monster the media built her up to be and Longford believes there may be some good in her but she is eventually shown to be as devious and manipulative as Ian Brady said she was.
Brady is portrayed by Andy Serkis in a performance of incredibly raw and shocking power and you are left in no doubt that the only place for this dangerous man is behind bars, away from the public at large.
I came away from this film feeling great admiration for this man, who may have been misled, but who only had good in his heart and did not know the meaning of hate..
The Myra Hindley/Ian Brady Moors murders of 1963, one of the most heinous crimes in England since Jack the Ripper, has been beautifully transcribed to the screen by writer Peter Morgan and Director Tom Hooper.
And though the story is basically about Longford's relationship with the incarcerated Myra Hindley, the film paints a rather complete portrait of a strange man who vacillated during his lifetime among religious beliefs and spoke out strongly for the rights of prisoners and 'unfortunates' who fall out of line with the law all the while riling against pornography and other vices.Jim Broadbent creates a wholly credible Lord Longford in this amazing performance.
Transformed physically to resemble Longford's bizarre appearance, Broadbent manages to convey the spectrum of trust, self-doubt, pity, outrage, compassion and blind religious belief in a manner few actors could match.
The remainder of the cast is equally excellent: Samantha Morton finds every nook and cranny of the enigmatic murderess Myra while Andy Serkis gives a chilling depiction of Ian Brady, her accomplice who knew how to manipulate the government and people as well as the infamously wily Myra.The story is in many ways grounded by the strong forces of Lady Longford (beautifully realized by Lindsay Duncan) and the Lady Tree of Sarah Crowden and Harold Wilson of Robert Pugh.
The common belief, supported at least in part by this film, is that manipulative Hindley played Longford for all he was worth.
But a more pragmatic (or less messianic) figure might have chosen an easier terrain on which to fight this battle.In this biopic of Longford, Jim Broadbent captures the man's physical characteristics perfectly, although the voice is still his own.
In it a transformed Jim Broadbent becomes walking-self-caricature Lord Longford, the famous, perhaps infamous, campaigner for civil rights and early release for prisoners - most notably Myra Hindley, the female murderer of five schoolchildren in Yorkshire, England in the 1960s.
Samantha Morton is Hindley, tightrope walking above potential seduction and deception of Longford as well as possibly very real repentance.
Longford himself is viewed as a man perhaps blinded by Hindley's charms who may be equally as guilty of manipulating her plight in a hobbyist fashion.
Andy Serkis encapsulates the mythical monster and the man that is Ian Brady, yet still the film as a whole carries with it the seed of forgiveness as the way forward in the judiciary and paints the heart of mob rule as blackly as perhaps the hearts of the Moors murderers in fact were.A compelling film, with no easy answers, and the showcase of some of the most magnetic acting performances ever lensed..
A TV film about the later life of the Lord Longford and his association with one of the countries most notorious murderesses: Myra Hindley.I really like these (UK) 90 minute "factions" based on recent events: The Government Inspector, A Very Social Secretary and now this.
Hits the mark totally as the crusty old ostrich whose politics, religion and beliefs remained fluid throughout his life.Myra Hindley was the most hated person in British history.
I am sure without partner in crime Ian Brady she would not have killed - but she showed little remorse when an audio tape was played of the pair of them murdering and abusing a little girl in court.
The classic upper-class silver spooner (from Eton to Oxford - the old public shool cliché) who knows nothing about working class life, no matter the evil minds that can torture little children for kicks and then bury them on moorland.
STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning A TV drama exploring the relationship between notorious 'Moors Murderer' Myra Hindley (Samantha Morton) and Lord Longford (Jim Broadbent) who campaigned for her early release, only to put her on the backburner for a few years in which he went on a crusade against pornography and for her to cruelly throw his efforts back in his face after admitting to two other murders in 1987.Being the 40th anniversary of Myra Hindley and Ian Brady's conviction for the 'Moors Murders', fresh interest has arisen in the case and TV producers want to re-create the events to fit in with the anniversary.
We've already had ITV's See No Evil, which explored Myra Hindley's relationship with Ian Brady and how they ended up being brought to trial, and this is actually something of a follow-up to that film because it sort of continues the story where Hindley's been in jail for a few years and she begins using Longford to help win her early parole, right up to her and Brady's confession to the two other murders in the late 80s.It's never easy viewing, but it's always interesting and compelling and keeps you riveted right up to the end.
I know a lot of people will disagree with me but I actually thought Andy Serkis as Ian Brady was the one off note with the film.
The film isn't about him anyway, and luckily he's only really a supporting role.Not an easy view then, but a well made one, with strong performances and compelling characters.
This is the story of Lord Longford working to try to get Myra Hindley out of prison for child murder.
The cast is first rate with Jim Broadbent outstanding as Longford the odd Lord who champions Hindley's case when everyone tells him otherwise.
Andy Serkis as Ian Brady, Hindley's lover and co-conspirator is particularly slimy and evil.
Are there people who are more good than the rest of us ?Lord Longford, upon whom this movie is based, spent a good deal of his time trying to help prisoners in England.
He eventually takes up the cause of Myra Hindley, who along with Ian Brady was convicted of torturing and murdering children children in the Manchester area of England and burying their bodies on the nearby Moors in the early 1960's.Longford, himself a convert to Catholicism, believes that Myra, having returned to her childhood Catholicism, has the right to be considered to being paroled and petitions/protests upon her behalf.
Longford seems somewhat naive in his dealing with those who are more inclined to evil than he is, but he is not naive about how egotistical humans can be.The acting and writing are superb - only wished the film had been longer so that we could understand Myra and Ian more, if that is possible..
He became notorious in England during the 1960's and 70's by calling for the release of Myra Hindley who - with her sadistic boyfriend - tortured and murdered five children during the years 1963-65.Pakenham became convinced that Hindley was a basically innocent girl who came under the evil influence of her boyfriend Ian Brady.
She totally convinced him that she was regretful of her part in the murders, and he vigorously campaigned for her parole.All the while, Hindley was communicating with Brady and it soon came to light that she was basically pulling the wool over the eyes of a gullible man - Pakenham.Disillusioned, Pakenham began to direct his efforts to the Nationwide Festival of Light which was a program of protest against commercial exploitation of sex and violence in Britain.
Even though disillusioned, Pakenham stayed in contact with Hindley until his death in 2001.Giving full credit to the superior production values, it is the acting in Longford that makes it an extreme pleasure.Jim Broadbent is Lord Longford.
I use "is" rather than "plays" because it appears that - from what I can determine - Broadbent so captured the personality and appearance of Longford that he even astounded those connected with the production who knew the real man.
He is a man who is so compassionate of his convictions that you cannot not like him even if his opinions are totally counter to your own.Samantha Morton (nominated for an Emmy for this part) is outstanding as Myra Hindley, a woman who shows a surface of innocence above layers and layers of neurosis and evil.
Viewing her interpretation of Hindley is fascinating.Andy Serkis chills you to the bone as Ian Brady.
This is a brilliant drama-documentary featuring outstanding performances from Jim Broadbent (as Lord Longford), Samantha Morton (as the infamous Myra Hindley) and Andy Serkis (as the sinister Ian Brady).Jim Broadbent excellently portrays the honest yet diffident, protector of lost causes, Lord Longford, making incredible railway pilgramages to various prisons throughout the land to see various monsters now in jail.
Longford further benefits from brilliant acting, particularly from Jim Broadbent and a deliciously ambiguous Samantha Morton.
fascinating, touching, strange, delicate exploration of details.in same measure, it is a great occasion for Jim Broadbent to show more than a silhouette but to do not exactly a character portrait but picture of a form to transform worlds.
This creed is given the ultimate test when he chooses to campaign on behalf of Moors Murderer Myra Hindley, believing she has a right to parole the same as other prisoners.
However, this film has made me want to find out more, especially about Myra Hindley, who was portrayed in this film almost like a brunette Marylin Monroe.
She captivated everybody and made them fall in love with her, possibly even Lord Longford.The performances by all the main characters were first class, especially Jim Broadbent as Lord Longford, and Samantha Morton as Myra.
Compared to Charlize Theron who, almost literally, turned herself into a monster for "Monster", Samantha Morton played Myra as a very attractive woman, but equally evil.
The way the film was made, even at the end I didn't know who was "really guilty" Brady or Myra.
Longford has to be one of the best British drama/films i have seen in a long time.
With famous faces such as Jim Broadbent, Andy Serkis and Samantha Morton.
Everything about this piece was fantastic, Jim Broadbent was perfect as Lord Longford he hit the nail on the head not only did he look like Longford but he was just spot on, his acting talents for this piece were praised when he won a BAFTA for best actor.
Anyway Andy Serkis delivered a perfect performance as Ian Brady even though he had to portray a most evil and sinister character he pulled it off perfectly, in my opinion he stole the show.
And Samantha Morton was fantastic as Myra Hindley she made you feel some what sorry for her character at points but then Andy reminded us she was an extremely evil person.
Knockout film made for HBO starring Jim Broadbent, as a retired legislator, who with his very liberal beliefs, takes on the cause to pardon a child killer played by Samantha Morton.Broadbent and Ms. Morton have never been better.
In fact, these performances are probably the best of their respective careers.Broadbent, as Lord Longford, has for years visited prisoners in jail.
The eye for an eye tooth for a tooth principle doesn't belong here.Despite public outcry and his ultimate betrayal by the Morton character, Lord Longford, who died at 95, always felt that he did the right thing by advocating Myra's pardoning.This is definitely a film promoting social consciousness.
With a man like Longford(Jim Broadbent) he's a man willing to go all the way to reach people.
Especially when he talks to prisoners the real strife is when he interviews child-killer Myra Hindley(Samantha Morton) who she and her lover Ian Brady(Andy Serkis) murdered several young kids.
Even Myra's fellow prisoners spit in her food a fact which is mentioned in a sympathetic scene involving Lady Longford .
this character study is basically about a man who believed that any criminal,no matter how evil and vile their crime,was beyond redemption.he spent the better part of his life visiting prisoners and campaigning for their release and rehabilitation.this particular movie focused mostly on his efforts to have Myra Hindley,who with her boyfriend Ian Brady,was convicted of the torture and murder of a number of children.the most shocking and vile crime England has known.the case was dubbed the moors murders,as that's where the events took place.Jim Broadbent portrays Lord Longford,and is brilliant.Samantha Morton portrays Myra Hindley and is very good,although her role is small,since this movie is not really about her.Andy Serkis portrays Ian Brady in a great,but brief performance.as for the real lord Longford,one thing you can't accuse him o is hypocrisy.he stuck to his principles,and didn't compromise.he was also a very compassionate human being.as for the movie itself,i thought it was very well done,but i just wish it had been a bit longer and in depth.the character of Lord Longford is very interesting,and it would have been interesting to learn more about him.for me,Longford,is an 8/10.
This story involves a series of crimes, the moores murders, and the two perps, Ian Brady and Myra Hendley who, acting in concert, dispatched more than five young kids in the most bestial fashion and buried them in the Lancashire moores.
Myra Hindley, whatever her motives, served some 36 years in prison.
It's the story of Longford, one of those iconoclastic British eccentrics, a member of the House of Lords, an anti-pornography crusader, a Catholic, and a fervent supporter of Myra Hindley's quest for parole.
He'd visited many prisoners before Myra and continued to visit them for the rest of his life.He was a devout man, and his faith seems to have both sustained him and served as a trap.
I saw the compassion of the man (although misguided at times) it seems that Lord Longford was always true to himself and his beliefs.Samantha Morton was so good that I was feeling sympathy for her character for some of the movie.
It was chilling.I always feel that movies can no longer surprise or shock me...so when she tells Lord Longford at the end of the movie "evil can be a spiritual experience, too", I was FLOORED!!
A disturbing yet intelligent look inside the head of Lord Frank Longford and his support of one of Britain's most sadistic and brutal child killers.
Jim Broadbent gives an outstanding performance as the eccentric Lord and allows us to feel for the vulnerable nature of his constant belief that everyone can be forgiven.Sam Morton also gives a great performance as the sympathetic but calculating moors murderess.
All in all this was a great production and seriously debated whether a man like Longford should be supported or called foolish.
when crimes such as the ones hindley and Brady are committed...we want to know why.
Myra hindley and Ian Brady committed horrific acts for which they were deservedly punished.
if we apply what lord longford attempted to do with Myra hindley to our own lives, our own wrongs, the wrongs perpetrated upon us by others and learn to forgive - even if we can't forget.
Not since reading about Mary Bell have I been so moved to think and feel about so-called evil girls and women, with the cross currents between do-gooders and evil-doers so expertly explored.Of course Jim Broadbent was brilliant as Lord Longford.
But Myra Hindley was also played with incredible subtlety and power.
As for Ian Brady, I believe he intrinsically realizes that if he ever did leave the confines of prison that his life would be in danger.
Perhaps there was no getting away from it, but Broadbent's performance did indeed depict Longford as a dithering, pig-headed old man who didn't care to consider the feelings of the victims' families, nor the possibility that Myra was making a prize pratt out of him.
Nearly all of Longford's detractors are depicted as simple minded boors who only want one thing - for Hindley and Brady to rot in jail.
At one point, when Longford is being heckled for his support of Myra, he shoots a breaking-the-fourth-wall glance to camera, as if to say, 'can you believe these people!' A question he asks not of anyone in attendance, but of you, the viewer.The only character who's given more than one 'dimension' is Longford's wife, and it's also telling how the writer does so.
It is factual that Myra Hindley and Ian Brady kidnapped, tortured, molested, and murdered 5 children between the ages of 10 and 17 in the 1960s.
This movie is largely about Frank Pakenham, 7th Earl of Longford, more commonly referred to as Lord Longford, played superbly by Jim Broadbent.
Lord Longford, a devout Roman Catholic, had a long running ministry to visit prisoners, and he believed that it was possible for hardened criminals to rehabilitate themselves.Lord Longford received an unlikely request for a visit from Samantha Morton as the convicted killer Myra Hindley.
In their visit she was surprised to find out that she might be eligible for parole after 18 or 20 years, and thereafter she worked hard, with his assistance, to try and make that happen.The most likely explanation for the whole story told here is that Lord Longford got taken in by Myra's ruse.
Andy Serkis is spot on as the evil Ian Brady, incarcerated in a different prison.