Is the movie The Duke (2021) based on a true story?

Yes, The Duke (2021) is based on a true story. It is inspired by the life of Kempton Bunton, who stole a painting from the National Gallery in London in 1961 as a protest against the government’s handling of pensioners. The film follows the story of the painting’s theft and the subsequent negotiations between Bunton and the authorities.

What is the true story behind the movie The Duke (2021)?

The Duke is a 2021 movie based on the true story of Kempton Bunton, who stole a Goya painting from the National Gallery in London in 1961. Bunton was a working-class man who was frustrated with the government’s lack of support for his daughter’s medical treatment. He decided to steal the valuable artwork and demanded a ransom of £140,000, which he used to pay for his daughter’s medical expenses.

Bunton was eventually caught and arrested, but he became a media sensation for his bold act of stealing from England’s most prestigious museum. He was put on trial, and his defense argued that he was not a common thief but a citizen-driven to desperate measures by the government’s neglect of his daughter’s health.

Bunton was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison. He was released after serving two years and lived the rest of his life as an infamous figure in British society. The Goya painting was eventually returned to the National Gallery, where it remains on display to this day.

Are there any books about the true story behind the movie The Duke (2021)?

The movie is based on the real-life story of Kempton Bunton, a taxi driver who stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London in 1961. There are some non-fiction books that touch on the story, including “The Great Art Theft: The Real Story of the Worst Art Heist in History” by Wendy Radcliffe that covers the theft of the Duke of Wellington’s portrait among other art heists.

You can try an audible free trial and search for audiobook versions of those