sammorton, posts by tag: myra hindley - LiveJournal

Numerous websites have this article up. Here's one.

Morton defends child killer role Tuesday January 10, 08:40 AM By WENN



British actress Samantha Morton has spoken out over her decision to play infamous Moors Murderer Myra Hindley - insisting it is her "duty".

The upcoming film, which will be aired on British television network Channel 4, explores the lives of child killers Hindley and her warped lover Ian Brady.

But Morton has been criticised for her agreement to star in the controversial production, with families of the victims complaining the film "prolongs the agony".

She says, "I initially didn't even want to look at the script. I didn't want anything to do with it.

"But I believe it is my duty as a performer to raise issues we're afraid to look at."

It's official - Samantha Morton will be portraying Myra Hindley.

I must say that I agree with Morton 100%. It's absolutely wrong to extend a sentence. It's also illegal and it baffles me that that happened. Don't know if she had been a man it would have been any different though.

Read about it here.

Samantha Morton to play Myra Hindley

2.54PM, Sun Dec 25 2005

Oscar nominated actress Samantha Morton has just taken on the controversial role of Myra Hindley for a new television drama.

Samantha will star opposite television and film favourite Jim Broadbent who is playing to title role Lord Longford.

The drama explores Longford's Roman Catholic faith, his fervent belief in the power of redemption and how he became a tireless champion of prisoners' rights, no matter how repugnant their crimes.

Producers have approach making the film with caution as there is always much sensitivity surrounding the dramatic exploitation of Hindley and the appalling crimes committed by her and her lover Ian Brady.

Samantha said it took much deliberation before she decided to take on the role as she knew it would be highly controversial:

"I initially didn't even want to look at the script. I didn't want anything to do with it. They shouldn't be doing it, they shouldn't be touching it."

"It's about Lord Longford. It's about his life, and in particular about his relationship with prisoners, not just Myra Hindley."

"Yes Myra Hindley did what she did, for just one second forget that. As a woman she served a life-long sentence. If she had of been called Martin she would have been out in about 12 years."

"I believe it is my duty as a performer is to raise issues in the world of things we're afraid to look at."

HINDLEY'S FIGHT TO BE FREE ON TV
By Nicola Methven
JIM Broadbent and Samantha Morton are to star in a TV drama about Lord Longford's campaign to free Myra Hindley.

Minority Report star Morton, 28, will portray Hindley as a prison inmate being visited by Longford, played by Moulin Rouge actor Broadbent.

Hindley killed five children with her lover Ian Brady and buried their bodies on Saddleworth Moor near Manchester.

In jail, she became a devout Catholic. Her cause was taken up by the former Labour minister.

A show source said: "The film shows him battling against society's conviction that a woman like Hindley should never be given her liberty."

A spokeswoman for the Channel 4 co-production with US network HBO said victims' families were aware of the project. She added: "We are very much hoping for their support."


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ITV will screen a drama about Hindley and Brady, called See No Evil in the spring to coincide with the trial's 40th anniversary.