Let Him Have It

Let Him Have It (1991)

Let Him Have It is a 1991 dramatization of the life and death of Derek Bentley, directed by Peter Medak (The Krays, Species II) starring Christopher Eccleston as Derek Bentley. In 1953, 19-year old Derek Bentley was convicted of, and ultimately executed for the murder of Police Constable Sidney Miles. His accomplice, Christopher Craig, was the only one with the gun, and of course the one who actually killed PC Miles. The title refers to something Bentley shouted at Craig on that fateful night. This line had been interpreted by the prosecution as Bentley encouraging Craig to shoot, while the defense claimed it was in fact a plea by Bentley for Craig to surrender, to literally, let the police officer have his gun. Craig, being only 16 at the time, was only sentenced to serve a prison term "at Her Majesty's pleasure," and ultimately only served ten years, despite being the one who actually killed PC Miles. Bentley, despite being mentally handicapped and being in police custody at the time, was convicted of murder, with the mandatory sentence of death by hanging.

Although at the time of the film's release in 1991, Derek Bentley had not yet been pardoned, he was finally given a full pardon in 1998. His family, including his sister Iris, however, did not live to see it.

The following weapons are used in the film Let Him Have It:

Colt New Service .455 Revolver

A Colt New Service is used by Christopher Craig (Paul Reynolds) through the movie, as in real life. Craig shortened the barrel, and was often forced to use ammunition of different sizes. Early in the film he claims it uses "Tommy Gun rounds", implying that it is chambered in .45 ACP, but when he opens the chamber later, it appears that it is chambered in .455 Eley.

New Service chambered in .455 Eley.

Craig shows Derek (Christopher Eccleston) his Colt New Service when they first meet.

Craig flips it over. Here you can see the shortened barrel and the large bore.

Craig lays his Colt New Service on his night stand.

Craig reloads his revolver.

As stated, he has a variety of ammunition, some of which will never fit into his Colt New Service. The defense would argue that given the mismatched ammo that Craig used in his gun, combined with the sawn-off barrel, it would be impossible for Craig to actually hit anything he was actually aiming for, and thus the death of PC Miles should have been considered manslaughter.

Craig aiming at the advancing Fairfax.

Craig's Colt New Service on the evidence table during the trial.

Colt Detective Special

Craig offers a first gen Colt Detective Special to a classmate for his Luger P08. He claims to have three of them.

Colt Detective Special 1st Gen - .38 Special

Craig shows his DS to his classmates.

Luger P08

A classmate (Tony Sands) trades Craig a Luger P08 for a Colt Detective Special in their classroom. Craig is disappointed to learn that the Luger doesn't come with ammo, but his classmate says he could force ".38s" into the chamber. (Presumably, he meant .38/200 or .38 S&W, as .38 Special would be too long.) Craig is successfully able to do so and fires a round into the ceiling. Craig's brother Niven (Mark McGann) gets a hold of one while struggling with the police.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm. This is blank adapted movie gun.

Craig checks the bore.

Craig is surprised by the lack of ammo when he opens the chamber. Mind you, this is AFTER he looks down the bore.

Niven struggles with the police with a Luger in hand.

Wolseley Flare Pistol

Seen amongst various pistols in the classroom. It gets handed it to the schoolteacher (Murray Melvin) claiming he "hasn't seen a Wolseley for a long time".

The school teacher with the Wolseley.

Smith & Wesson Mk II Hand Ejector

A Smith & Wesson Mk II Hand Ejector is used by Detective Sergeant Frederick Fairfax (Tom Bell) when confronting Christopher Craig on the warehouse rooftop.