The Duke is a 2020 British comedy-drama film starring Jim Broadbent as Kempton Bunton, the taxi driver who stole Francisco Goya's portrait of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, from the National Gallery in London on August 21, 1961. The film is directed by Roger Michell and written by Richard Bean and Clive Coleman.
The Duke portrays Bunton as an ordinary man frustrated with the government's handling of a pension crisis, and who ventures to commit the heist as a form of political activism. His wife, played by Helen Mirren, reluctantly becomes an accomplice in hiding the painting in their small London council flat.
As the story unfolds, Bunton attempts to negotiate with the authorities and media for a large ransom that he would use to supplement pensions for the elderly. Meanwhile, the police and the National Gallery Director, played by the late actor Peter Capaldi, try to track down and retrieve the stolen painting.
The film depicts the events leading up to the theft, the aftermath, and Bunton's eventual trial, where he defended himself in court but was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to three months in jail. The real stolen painting was recovered in a left-luggage office at the Birmingham New Street station three years later.
The Duke received positive reviews for its charming performances, witty script, and effective blending of humor and drama. It was also praised for its exploration of political activism and social justice issues that continue to resonate today.
