Jane Eyre Essay

Derek Bentley in the film ‘Let him have it’?

Bias is prejudice in favour of or against one thing, person or group compared with another, especially in a way considered to be unfair. Film directors use bias when making a film because they want the viewers to have particular feelings towards the situation or one or more of the characters for example sympathise with them. I think that Peter Medak wanted to make this film because he thought that a great miscarriage of justice had been carried out and wanted the world to feel the way he did by making a film version of the true story that is biased in favour of Derek Bentley. I also think the purpose of this film being made was to clear Bentley’s name and highlight the family’s suffering. I think this because although it is a film which connects immediately with entertainment, I don’t think that was the main reason it was filmed. Using film is a clever way of making money because when a new film comes out lots of people tend to go to see it out of curiosity, especially if it is true. However, as the viewers get captivated by the film, I think they would be drawn into sympathising

However, Bentley is shown to be very nervous and scared about what could happen. We are told that Bentley is illiterate and not very intelligent. This makes the audience sympathise because it was an explanation as to why he was acting the way he was. He didn’t seem to know what to do or say, his had was mostly down and he gave short, quick answers to the prosecutor. Another character was the judge who was portrayed as biased, as he seemed to know who was guilty before even sentencing. When making a closing statement he emphasised the fact that Bentley had a knuckle-duster, he said it was a “horrible weapon.” This shows bias because by saying this, the judge was in other words telling the jury to make sure that they returned guilty verdicts on them. It is very obvious to the viewers what the judge meant by saying this, so they would probably take Bentley’s side. When Bentley was being questioned about the knuckle-duster and why he took it from Craig, he replied with: “Something I’d never had Sir, a gift.” This line shows just how much of a child Bentley is, as most children accept any gift given to them on the principle that it is a gift and must therefore be accepted. This was the idea that Bentley was working on when he accepted the knuckle-duster from Craig,

Derek Bentley was hanged on the 28th of January 1953, at the age of 19 for a murder he did not commit. Derek Bentley was illiterate and is alleged to have had a mental age of 11. He also suffered from epilepsy as a result of a head injury received during the war.

Peter Medak has gained our sympathy for Derek Bentley using several different methods. After watching this film the viewer feels quite emotional and sorry for Derek. The film most certainly portrays him to be harmless and innocent, he is played by Chris Eccleston as a likeable teenager, inoffensive, fond of his family, able to deal with life in its ordinary aspects, but incapable of standing up to his friend Chris. The film makes us feel sorry for Derek and puts us on his side; this is done by focusing Derek as the main character. Christopher Craig is shown as the stereotypical "baddie" in the film who influences Derek into wrong. The introduction of Chris Craig into the film is quite the typical entry of an evil, mischievous character, so the audience immediately knows that Craig is the villain on first sight. Medak builds a case that leaves no doubt in t

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