How Does Peter Medak Gain Sympathy for Derick Bentley Essay Example
In this essay, the successful evocation of sympathy for Derek Bentley, a young man who tragically meets his demise in the film "Let Him Have It," directed by Peter Medak, will be discussed. Derek Bentley's life is complex as he grows up as a guileless individual in a disadvantaged society in London, ultimately leading him into trouble and eventually being executed by hanging. The narrative is set in the 1950s when Derek is only 19 years old. During his childhood, he personally witnesses the horrors of war during a bombing raid and sustains a head injury from a falling brick. As he gets older, doctors diagnose him with epilepsy and learning disabilities which result in his placement at an approved school that unfortunately exposes him to negative influences. The director effectively portrays Derek's circumstances as beyond his control, prompting viewers to empathize
...with him and attribute any misbehavior to his unfortunate circumstances.
Throughout the film, Derek experiences 5 - 10 epileptic fits, evoking sympathy towards him. Peter Medak effectively portrays Derek as a perpetual victim, regardless of his actions, highlighting the challenging nature of distinguishing right from wrong with his epilepsy. We witness Derek's lack of a romantic relationship, though his love for his sister is evident, albeit ambiguous in nature. During his time in secondary school, Derek and some troublemakers visit a watchman's hut, and Peter Medak skillfully presents the act as an innocent prank. When the watchman returns and Derek's peers flee, Derek remains behind and eventually has an epileptic fit when discovered by the watchman. This event is given significant attention by Peter Medak, illustrating how it impacts the viewers. As a result
Derek is sent to an approved school but is released due to his fits and the harsh environment of the institution.
At 19 years old, Derek has become isolated in his room, not venturing outside the house for almost a year. However, his sister manages to convince him to leave the house and accompany her on a trip to buy a record he has been listening to on all of his radios. This is made more poignant by the fact that Derek has been storing many radios in the shed, further highlighting his challenging circumstances. Derek's sister takes on a maternal role, providing him with support and encouragement. Throughout the film, Medak portrays Derek as someone in need of care, reminiscent of a child. Unfortunately, Derek becomes involved with Chris Craig and his gang, engaging in activities such as stealing keys from a fish shop in an attempt to fit in and be accepted.
Chris's friends abandon him and he and Derek attempt to rob the local factory. They scale the roof, only to be spotted by someone across the street who calls the police. Derek claims he never wanted to be part of the robbery, manipulating viewers to sympathize with his apparent innocence. Eventually, police arrive and make their way up to the rooftop. In a pivotal moment, Derek yells, "Let Him Have It, Chris," leading to a policeman getting shot.
Mayhem erupted as Chris found a safe spot while Derek was briefly detained by the wounded policeman. After a brief moment, Sidney George Miles, a reckless officer, recklessly ran out without protection and was shot in the head. Derek attempted to persuade Chris to surrender and
hand over his gun; however, Chris threatened to shoot him if he did not move aside. This is another instance of Peter Medak attempting to elicit sympathy by highlighting Derek's reluctance to be associated with such a heinous crime. Even before reaching the rooftop, Chris gifted Derek a knuckle-duster, which Derek saw more as a present than a deadly weapon. This exemplifies Peter Medak's portrayal of Derek as naive and unaware of the potential damage this type of weapon could inflict, seeing it more as a toy. The trial was brief, and Derek was convicted for being involved in the murder and sentenced to death by hanging.
During his trial, Derek received support from many people, including letters of sympathy that arrived every morning in the mail. His words gained sympathy from the viewers, sounding like those of a naive child who is aware of being in trouble but not fully understanding the situation. Peter Medak includes these comments made by Derek to portray him as a grown man who still possesses a childlike heart and mind. The day before his execution, Derek dictated a final letter to his loving family, as he was unable to write due to illiteracy. This further emphasized my perception of Derek as an innocent child caught up in a chaotic situation. Despite his limited writing skills, Derek managed to sign the letter himself in a very childlike manner, taking nearly thirty seconds to do so.
With the background music and atmosphere, the scene evokes strong emotions and elicits sympathy for Derek Bentley. The following day, the execution is carried out swiftly and brutally, leaving a sense of injustice for not only
Derek but all men. Overall, Peter Medak skillfully generates feelings of empathy for Derek and his family, while also provoking frustration over the miscarriage of justice. The film's portrayal made me wish I could go back in time to change the situation and its outcome. Through clever film techniques, Medak effectively taps into the full range of human emotions. The movie connects with viewers on a personal level, creating an immersive experience where I felt as if I were providing support to Derek. I am grateful that Derek's sister continued to fight for justice and clear his name.
