''The Duke'' is a 1998 British

short film A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

written and directed by

John McArdle John McArdle (born 16 August 1949) is an English actor. He is most notable for playing Billy Corkhill in the soap opera ''Brookside'', with many other smaller appearances in other soaps and dramas. Playing a regular character in ''Brookside'' ...

, produced by Sarah Proudfoot Clinch and starring Tony Booth, Lee Gilbert, and

Nicola Stephenson Nicola Stephenson (born 5 July 1971) is an English actress. She played the roles of Margaret Clemence in ''Brookside'', Julie Fitzjohn in '' Holby City'', Sarah Williams in '' The Chase'', Allie Westbrook in '' Waterloo Road'', and Tess Harris ...

. Set in 1955 Liverpool, it tells the story of a young boy who believes that his grandfather is

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Gol ...

Plot

While watching a

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

at the cinema with his mother, 7-year-old Jack (Gilbert) discovers that his grandfather Tom (Booth) looks like

. Upon returning home, he excitedly informs his grandfather, who asks him whether he can keep a secret. At school Jack reveals the secret to his schoolmates, who jeer and refuse to believe him. Later that day his grandfather discovers him crying, and decides to help him out. There is a dramatic showdown, where Tom organizes a horse and rides in to vindicate Jack. In the end, Jack and his grandfather ride down off down a Liverpool street lined with brick houses that dissolve into

Monument Valley Monument Valley ( nv, Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, , meaning ''valley of the rocks'') is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of sandstone buttes, the largest reaching above the valley floor. It is located on the Utah-Arizona s ...

Cast

* Tony Booth as Tom, an elderly

Liverpudlian Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the 10th largest English district by population and its metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a populat ...

gentleman who lives with his daughter-in-law and grandson. He has a love for the Old West and a soft spot for his grandson, Jack. He allows his grandson to believe that he is

, leading to a showdown where he intimidates his grandson's tormentor. * Lee Gilbert as Jack, a 7-year-old boy. He believes his grandfather resembles John Wayne. *

as Edith, Jack's mother. She supports her family during the difficult times after the war, in which (it is hinted) her husband died. * Thomas Rider as Alan Dobson, a bully who torments Jack. * Carl Chase as Mr Dobson, Alan's father.

Production

This short was filmed in Liverpool and funded by the British Council. The score was composed by

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

winner

Stephen Warbeck Stephen Warbeck (born 21 October 1953) is an English composer, best known for his film and television scores. Warbeck was born in Southampton, Hampshire. He first became known for the music for ''Prime Suspect'' and won an Oscar for his score fo ...

Reception

It was screened at film festivals around the world, including Cannes, and won several awards, including ''Presidente del Consiglio Regionale del la Compagnia'' at the

Giffoni Film Festival The Giffoni International Film Festival is an Italian children's film festival which takes place annually in Giffoni Valle Piana, Campania. It began in 1971. The Giffoni International Film Festival typically has around 100,000 guests and has had ...

and ''Best Short'' at the Kodak Emerging New European Talent festival. It also was screened at the 1999 BBC Short Film Festival :Note: The

British Film Directory British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

inaccurately lists the film as being released in 2004.

References

External links

* *
The Duke
at The British Films Directory
The Duke
at The Film Centre {{DEFAULTSORT:Duke British short films 1998 films Films set in 1955 Films scored by Stephen Warbeck 1990s English-language films