This HBO Films drama tells the true story of the British Lord Frank Aungier Pakenham, 7th Earl of Longford, and his controversial, colorful, headline-making friendship with one of Britain's most notorious criminals, child murderess Myra Hindley. A devout Catholic, Longford often visited prisoners because of his passionate belief in forgiveness and society's need for prisoner rehabilitation. He meets with Hindley - a young woman serving a life sentence for child murders committed with her lover, Ian Brady - shortly after her imprisonment and the visits incite widespread public outrage. Their unlikely friendship ultimately undermined his career and, possibly, her 36-year attempt to win freedom.
Directed by
Tom Hooper
Written by
Peter Morgan
Starring
Lee Boardman (Talk Show Host); Jim Broadbent (Lord Longford); Samantha Morton (Myra Hindley); Tam Dean Burn (Roy); Lindsay Duncan (Lady Elizabeth Longford); Kate Miles (Rachel Pakenham); Sarah Crowden (Lady Tree); Robert Pugh (Harold Wilson); Caroline Clegg (Longford's Secretary); Alex Blake (Paddy Pakenham); Roy Barber (Father Kahle); Ian Connaughton (Reporter); Charlotte West-Oram (Downing Street Secretary); Roy Carruthers (Albany Prison Officer); Andy Serkis (Ian Brady). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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A story of courage, forgiveness and naivety
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
Longford is a fascinating account of Lord Longford's visits to child murderess Myra Hindley throughout her time in prison. The acting throughout this production is first-class, especially from Jim Broadbent who was well deserving of his Emmy award for his portrayal of Lord Longford. Equally commendable and truly chilling, is Andy Serkis's performance as Myra's accomplice in crime; Ian Brady. The thing that stands out more than anything else - if perhaps understanding given the uniqueness of the situation - is Lord Longford's naivety in the speed of the apparent initial conversion of Hindley over to Catholicism. I think this account demonstrates, if ever a demonstration were needed, the true existence of evil, the fact that such evil cannot be defeated with ease, the truth that there are some good people in the world willing to work with people that have committed such crimes, and finally that in the end the truth will emerge, even if only in part in some situations. God bless all souls involved in this tragedy, especially the children and their families.
