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Biographical drama

The Duke (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Duke (2021) movie poster

The Duke is a 2021 biographical drama starring Jim Broadbent as Kempton Bunton, Helen Mirren and Fionn Whitehead. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $14.2 million worldwide on a $11 million budget. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$14.2M
Echo Score
78
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The Duke (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$11M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Duke About?

The premise of The Duke without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In 1961, charismatic taxi driver Kempton Bunton makes headlines by stealing Goya’s portrait from the National Gallery in London. He proposes a daring deal: the painting will be returned only if the government provides free television for the elderly. This audacious act sets off a series of surprising events, revealing a story about family, personal relationships, and the ability of everyday individuals to challenge the status quo and fight for what they believe in.

The Duke Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • theft
  • painting
  • father son relationship
  • husband wife relationship
  • court trial
  • tv license
  • trial
  • courtroom
  • split screen
  • television set
  • watching tv
  • reference to the bbc
+38 more
  • cemetery
  • petition
  • london england
  • husband wife separation
  • family relationships
  • jury
  • based on true story
  • title spoken by character
  • taxi
  • police
  • docudrama drama
  • not guilty plea
  • flashback
  • begins with a flashback
  • telephone booth
  • prison
  • fired from a job
  • knitting
  • museum
  • toilet
  • newspaper
  • sex scene
  • not guilty verdict
  • sentenced to prison
  • reference to james bond
  • what happened to epilogue
  • year 1961
  • england
  • newcastle england
  • title appears in writing
  • title in title
  • compulsive liar
  • couple bickers
  • dead daughter
  • loss of daughter
  • reference to mahatma gandhi
  • visiting daughter's grave
  • aspiring playwright
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Cast & crew

The Duke Cast & Characters

Jim Broadbent leads the cast as Kempton Bunton, with Helen Mirren as Dorothy Bunton and Fionn Whitehead as Jackie Bunton.

Ratings

The Duke Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Duke 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (68).

78 /100

The Duke Echo Score Breakdown

The Duke delivers a warm, character‑driven portrait that leans more toward heartfelt entertainment than cinematic innovation. Critics consistently highlight the film's affectionate tone and strong performances, while several users note a gentle pacing and occasional over‑sentimentality that temper enthusiasm. Visuals of 1960s England are praised as well‑reproduced, though the material is described as modest rather than ambitious. Overall, the film succeeds as an agreeable, feel‑good drama that resonates with many viewers despite limited depth for repeated viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 82

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents a polished visual representation of early‑sixties England. Critics commend the beautiful cinematography and well‑reproduced period design, noting a comfortable but competent directorial style. While some observe that the production does not aim for grandeur, the overall execution is solid and visually appealing. The craftsmanship therefore supports the narrative without aspiring to visual innovation.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When evaluating character and emotion, the performances emerge as the film's strongest asset. Both Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren receive consistent praise for delivering nuanced, emotionally resonant portrayals, and critics describe the acting as exceptional throughout. A few user comments mention occasional emotional blur, yet the majority view the character work as heartfelt and engaging. Consequently, the acting elevates the material and drives the film's emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 72

    The story and flow offer a pleasant, if modest, narrative experience. Reviewers appreciate the true‑story premise and the film's gentle humor, describing it as charming and enjoyable. However, several users point to slow pacing, over‑sentimentality, and a lack of dramatic tension that limit narrative depth. The plot is coherent and heartfelt but does not sustain high tension, resulting in a mixed assessment of its storytelling effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    Sensory experience in The Duke is anchored by a cohesive visual style that captures the era convincingly. Critics highlight the beautifully shot composition and period‑accurate production design, while soundtrack considerations receive limited comment. The overall sensory palette is pleasant and supportive of the film's tone, though it lacks standout auditory elements. The sensory execution thus reinforces the film’s warm atmosphere without exceptional distinction.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Rewatch factor for the film is moderate, reflecting its status as a pleasant, one‑time viewing choice. Many reviewers find the story heartwarming and recommend it for casual watches, yet multiple users caution that the sentimentality and limited narrative complexity may reduce repeat appeal. While the strong performances add value, the overall modest ambition suggests the film is more likely to be enjoyed once rather than repeatedly revisited.

Plot

The Duke Plot Summary

What happens in The Duke from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Sixty-year-old Kempton Bunton, portrayed by Jim Broadbent, finds himself in Court Number 1 at the Old Bailey, where he pleads not guilty to accusations of stealing Goya’s Portrait of the Duke of Wellington and its frame from the esteemed National Gallery in London. The story unfolds back in the spring of 1961 when Kempton, a self-taught working-class man from Newcastle upon Tyne, had sent a script to the BBC. Shortly after, he is incarcerated for 13 days at Durham for the audacious act of watching television without a license. Despite being able to afford one, he stands firm against the idea of paying, driven by his campaign advocating for pensioners and his steadfast beliefs in supporting the common man.

Full summary

The whole story of The Duke, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Duke Box Office & Budget

The Duke grossed $14.2 million worldwide on a $11 million budget, 1.3 times what it cost. $1.5 million came from the US and Canada and $12.7 million (89%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$14.2M

1.3× its budget

US & Canada
$1.5M
International
$12.7M
Budget
$11M
US & Canada 11% Rest of the world 89%
Videos

The Duke Trailers & Videos

14 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 6 clips, 5 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 14 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Official Preview
  • Clip 'Robin Hood' Clip
  • Clip First 8 Minutes
  • Clip Clip - “Build Bridges”
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Duke?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main character accused of stealing the painting?

Details

The Duke Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “A herceg” and “Невероятната история на един обирджия”.

Also known as
  • A herceg
  • Невероятната история на един обирджия
  • 웰링턴 공작의 초상
  • Wellington Dükü
  • Герцог
  • Vévoda z Wellingtonu
  • El duque
  • 公爵
  • O Duque
  • Vojvoda z Wellingtonu
  • Војвода
  • Il ritratto del Duca
+11 more
  • הדוכס, ჰერცოგი
  • A Wellington festmény
  • الدوق
  • Książę
  • ゴヤの名画と優しい泥棒
  • 盜畫耆案
  • Vojvoda
  • El duc
  • โจรเก๋า หัวใจไม่เก่า
  • Ducele
  • Kunigaikštis

Seen The Duke?

FAQ

The Duke FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Duke, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Duke?

The Duke runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was The Duke released?

The Duke was released on December 10, 2021.

Who is in the cast of The Duke?

The Duke stars Jim Broadbent as Kempton Bunton, Helen Mirren as Dorothy Bunton and Fionn Whitehead as Jackie Bunton, among 11 credited actors.

How much did The Duke make at the box office?

The Duke grossed $14.2 million worldwide ($1.5 million domestic, $12.7 million international) on a budget of $11 million.

How is The Duke rated?

The Duke has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does The Duke have a post-credit scene?

No. The Duke has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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