How the Case of Derek Bentley HasBeen Presented in Two Media Sources Essay Example

disclose important details about Derek's epilepsy and mental age of 11. As a result, the story portrays several adult men indiscriminately shooting and disregarding human life. To create a particular effect, some information about PC Miles is generalized in contrast to Bentley and Craig. Unlike the other characters, we learn about PC Miles' personal life, including his spouse and children, as well as his lengthy service in division Z of the police.

The article employs various techniques to convey a sense of evil associated with the boys who were killed. The use of emotive language, such as 'gangsters, bandits, raiders and gunmen', makes it clear that they were remorseless individuals who did not think twice before causing harm or even taking lives. Hyperbole, in the form of 'exaggeration for effect,' is utilized in the subtitle, which reads 'Gangsters with machine guns.' All of this is meant to create a certain image of these boys, so that their tragic fate can be viewed with sympathy.

The article employs hyperbole to depict corrupt "bandits" committing a heinous crime. While the injury to DC Fairfax's shoulder is certainly serious, it is not among the most severe injuries one can sustain. The phrase "seriously wounded" exemplifies this exaggeration. Additionally, the article notes that Craig carried only one revolver, which was not a machine gun. The presentation of opinions as facts is also notable within the text.

The writer's intention is for the reader to think like them, which is exemplified in the first paragraph with the statement "The London crime wave reached a new peak last night." This is presented as a fact, but is actually an opinion meant to

influence the reader's thinking. Additionally, the article employs sentence structure to achieve different effects.

The article contains a paragraph discussing PC Miles's private life, with the aim of eliciting sympathy. This paragraph comprises a lengthy sentence detailing various aspects of his life, including his job and children. The subsequent sentence abruptly announces his death with the words "He was killed", which creates a jarring effect. Had the article been my sole source of information on Derek Bentley, I would have viewed him and his associates as malevolent individuals deserving of capital punishment. Thus, the article effectively achieves its desired impact on readers. The film I viewed on Derek Bentley was titled "Let Him Have It", based on his plea to Craig that ultimately led to the shooting of DC Fairfax.

The film and newspaper article presented different types of partiality in regards to Bentley's case. Despite its bias, the phrase played a significant role in his conviction for murder and subsequent hanging. While the article exhibited strong prejudice against Bentley, the film evoked empathy towards him. After viewing the film, my opinion shifted from initial agreement with the Daily Mail article to believing that Derek was wrongly convicted of murder and should not have been hanged.

In examining the film's influence on my reaction, I will focus on instances of bias. Notably, bias is evident in the portrayal of Derek Bentley, particularly in his introduction in the film. Prior to our encounter with the primary Derek, age 19, two brief scenes feature a younger Derek. The first shows his rescue following a wartime injury that resulted in a head injury. Subsequently, we see

him experiencing an epileptic seizure while caught vandalizing a residence.

Right from the start, it's apparent that the film doesn't concentrate on a violent offender but rather on an unfortunate and troubled youth who has been sent to a reform institution and won't be set free until he comes of age. Our empathy for Derek is instant, and it only intensifies when we encounter him again at nineteen years old, too frightened to venture out of his residence following his release from the school due to apprehension of further transgressions.

Derek, a compassionate and considerate nineteen-year-old with an affection for animals and strong ties to his family, is unlikely to engage in criminal activity unless coerced. On the other hand, Christopher Craig's introduction presents a stark contrast. In the first shot of Craig, he stands on a street corner sporting gangster-like attire while chewing gum and crossing his arms. The ominous sound of a bell ringing heightens the sense of danger as the camera pans past him. To convey Craig's personality, he must encounter Derek; however, their initial meeting takes an unconventional turn when Craig presses a gun against Derek's back and threatens to take his life.

Laughing, Craig informs Derek that the gun is authentic, though not loaded. This demonstrates Craig's lack of regard for others, as well as his twisted sense of humor and aspirations to mimic fictional gangsters. Consequently, the audience speculates that Craig's negative influence prompted Bentley's actions and that Craig is the true antagonist. Additionally, the director presents ample evidence of Craig's troubled past to further vilify him.

We encounter Craig's brother, referred to as 'The Velvet Kid', who appears to have a gangster-like

persona. Craig appears to greatly admire his brother due to his substantial wealth and the attention he receives from numerous girls. Regrettably, their interactions are predominantly hostile with an evident tendency for his brother to power over Craig. Christopher is somewhat intimidated by his brother, likely contributing to Christopher's similarity to him. In contrast, Derek and his sister have an affectionate and tight-knit relationship, unlike the Craigs. Additionally, there is a scene at Craig's school where two boys, including Craig, exchange guns.

Craig is an expert on collecting guns, and we soon learn that most of the boys in the class also possess guns which they keep inside their desks, revealing the kind of access teenagers had to firearms in the 1950s. Additionally, Craig's frequent use of profanity is intended to make us distrust him and feel that it's not a good idea for Derek to become his friend.

Despite witnessing Craig's actions, Derek still becomes his friend, which negatively affects Bentley, as shown by the incident where Derek has a seizure in a taxi with Craig. Despite the taxi driver's attempts to help, Craig abandons Derek, indicating the friendship is one-sided. Though aware of this imbalance, Derek lacks the willpower to end their friendship. This evokes sympathy for him. The film's main event is the robbery that injures DC Fairfax and kills PC Miles, followed by the court case.

At the beginning of the court proceedings, a camera survey the entire space, capturing Derek's anxious appearance, Craig's indifferent attitude, and the tears of Derek's family. This technique employed in the film strives to evoke sympathy for Bentley and a dislike for Craig. The court scene involves presentations

from both the defence and the prosecution.

The objective of the text is to highlight why Derek Bentley should not be convicted along with the reasons why he was. In one scene, Craig displays no remorse for his actions and appears proud, whereas Bentley is extremely worried and almost has an epileptic fit. The director emphasizes this contrast. It is evident that the majority of people in attendance believe that Bentley is innocent- when asked what he thought Bentley meant by "Let him have it", DC Fairfax responds with "Shoot" causing the spectators to groan and shout "No". The judge and jury even suggest mercy for Bentley. Even after the trial, the entire country supports Derek Bentley.

A multitude of petitions and sympathetic letters are received by PC Miles' family on a daily basis, while they also seek support from their local MP's, who unanimously oppose the hanging. Even PC Miles' wife opposes the execution. The director aims to evoke the audience's empathetic response to the widespread support shown for the family and PC Miles.

It is a poignant reminder that Derek is not just a defendant but also a cherished son when we witness his family's response to the jury's verdict. The grief and agony of his loved ones are palpable as they passionately work to clear his name, supported by an outpouring of nationwide support. The sequence of events between the court case and the execution is especially heart-wrenching, intended to elicit strong emotional reactions from viewers. Sadly, despite significant opposition from the public, the execution ultimately took place.

As the film concludes, Derek is hanged quickly and the executioner seems hesitant as he reassures

him with "It'll be okay, son." He is given a drink which he drinks quickly, leaving no time for contemplation or anxiety.

The scene is incredibly bleak, amplified by Derek's heavy breathing, a clear indication of his extreme fear or nervousness. Immediately following this, we witness Derek's family embracing each other and shedding tears over the loss of their son. As the family clock strikes nine, the same time as Derek's hanging, we are reminded of the first moment we saw Christopher Craig and where all the trouble began. This serves as a final attempt to provoke our emotions as the slow, mournful credits begin to roll. While this film focuses on Derek Bentley and the injustice he suffered, it intentionally omits information about PC Miles. In the film, his death is abrupt and he is killed after just one line and ten seconds.

Throughout the film, bias is apparent as it focuses solely on Bentley and fails to mention his wife's short eulogy or his two children. The director avoids any sympathy for PC Miles, as it may turn viewers against Bentley. This bias is also evident in the contrasting presentation of Derek and Christopher. Derek is portrayed as a kind and caring individual who loves his family, is nervous, and has pets.

The film portrays Christopher Craig as a hateful, disrespectful bully, while Bentley suffers from two epileptic fits during the film and almost has a third in court, eliciting sympathy from the audience as intended by the director.

Despite being manipulated by the director, there is some truth in the portrayal of Derek's behavior, as shown through his gun collection which highlights his desire to

be a gangster, frequent fights with his brother indicating intense hatred, and casual jokes about using the guns to threaten and disrespect others. As a result of the film's presentation, the viewer ultimately sympathizes with Derek and places blame for his death on Christopher Craig, depicted as the antagonist who coerced Derek into committing crimes such as theft and vandalism. The film successfully manipulates the audience into viewing Derek's death as unjust and entirely Craig's fault, further emphasizing the power of manipulation in storytelling.

In terms of accuracy, I believe the film is a more honest representation despite some underlying bias. Therefore, I prefer it over the article, which heavily favors Derek by omitting crucial information. The film may also manipulate information but it includes most of the facts. It is important to note that all non-fiction texts are biased, so one must read between the lines to uncover the writer's intentions and concealed information.