• Network: Channel 4
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 26, 2006
  • Season #: 1
Longford Image
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: This telefilm is based on the true story of British Lord Frank Pakenham (the Earl of Longford), whose lifelong campaign for prison reform--and especially, his dealings with a convicted serial killer--cost him his seat in Parliament. The screenplay comes from Peter Morgan ("The Queen").
  • Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. 100
    Disturbing, sober and flawless.
  2. 100
    The relationship of saint to sinner has seldom been so moving. [26 Feb 2007, p.39]
  3. [Broadbent] is unrecognizable and remarkable in the role of Longford, capturing both the man’s dotty hauteur and his awkward, absent-minded chivalry.
  4. 60
    Longford is never less than gripping. But it unconsciously apes the moral myopia that afflicts its protagonist.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. DianneS.
    10
    Very thought provoking and superb acting by all.
  2. RichardJ
    10
    I don't know what film Jack C. was watching but it wasn't the flawless and thought-provoking "Longford" that I saw with brilliant performances from Jim Broadbent, "Rome's" Lindsay Duncan, Samantha Morton, and Andy Serkis. Jack C.'s an imbecile, and that's clear from the contradictory comments in his idiotic review. He criticizes Samantha Morton for being "comatose" and then criticizes Andy Serkis for being too charismatic. Perhaps he would have preferred if Samantha Morton had been too charismatic and Andy Serkis had been "comatose." Either way, his review cancels itself out and proves that he is a mindless fool which the great "Longford" was wasted on. If you are going to leave user comments on the metacritic forum, it is essential that you mustn't have been lobotomized first. Expand
  3. MichaelD.
    9
    I just watched the film On Demand....it sparked a lot of discussion between my partner and I about the power of forgiveness, its place is Christianity and Judaism...the performances and script are terrific Expand
  4. JackC
    2
    Clunker of an expositional script plus stodgily "sensitive" direction seemingly designed to appeal to professional focus group goers equals a deadly dull drama. Don't believe the hype about the performances, either. Broadbent's tics will make your head spin, Morton's her usual comatose self and Andy Serkis disastrously endows Ian Brady with something approaching an evil charisma. Don't waste your time on this one if you're looking for complexity. Expand

See all 5 User Reviews