Entertainment
The Duke: Jim Broadbent plans infamous painting heist in comedy-drama based on true story
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Jim Broadbent is seen planning his next move in the heist of a world-famous painting in a newly released scene from comedy-drama The Duke.
The Harry Potter actor stars as Kempton Bunton, a man who allegedly stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London.
In the new clip, shared exclusively with Metro.co.uk, Kempton is seen planning his next moves after seeing the heist in a headline.
‘I give them the painting, they put on an exhibition, charge the public to see the Duke, and give me the proceeds. Bingo!’ he says.
‘How much would an exhibition raise?’ he’s asked by his son Jackie (Fionn Whitehead).
‘£30,000? £50,000? Who knows?!’ he responds. ‘I’ll be able to pay for god knows how many TV licenses!’
But Jackie sees a flaw in the plan.
Jim Broadbent and Fionn Whitehead star in the comedy-drama (Picture: Warner Bros)
‘What if they’re in it with the coppers?’ he asks. ‘You’ll give them the painting, they don’t cough up and they’ll shop you.’
In real life, Bunton, a retired bus driver, was left disgusted by the sum of money the British government paid for the portrait, £140,000 which is thought to be around £3million in today’s terms.
The film focuses on Kempton Bunton (Picture: PA Archive/Press Association Images)
The Goya painting was returned after four years (Picture: Associated Newspapers)
He was also embittered at having to pay for a TV license from his modest income.
After he stole the painting, he sent ransom notes saying that he would return the painting on condition that the government invested more in care for the elderly.
Four years after the theft, in 1965, Bunton voluntarily returned the painting and surrendered to the police.
More: Jim Broadbent
During the subsequent trial, the jury convicted Bunton only of the theft of the frame, which had not been returned.
The film stars Jim and Fionn alongside Helen Mirren (Dorothy Bunton), Matthew Goode (Jeremy Hutchinson), and Anna Maxwell-Martin as Mrs Gowling.
The Duke is releasing to cinemas on September 3.
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