The old robber
The Pathe Film Company will report on the first and only theft in the history of the National Gallery in London. The French studio begins work on the adventurous comedy "The Duke".In 1961, the American Charles Wrightsman paid 140 thousand pounds for the painting by Francisco Goya "Portrait of the Duke of Wellington". When the oil tycoon announced it wanted to move the masterpiece to the United States, the British government took advantage of a loophole in the auction rules and repeated his offer to keep the painting in Foggy Albion. The news of the loss of 140 thousand from the country's budget infuriated pensioner Kempton Bunton, who lived on eight pounds a week and was subject to all kinds of taxes and payments. The Briton decided to steal the "Portrait of the Duke of Wellington". Bunton went to the museum several times and asked local staff how and when the electronic security system was turned off.  It turned out that the sirens do not work in the morning when the exhibits are cleared of dust. On August 21, 1961, Kempton made his way to the National Gallery through the toilet window and headed straight for the Goya painting. The police issued a statement that the theft was committed by an experienced bugbear, but soon the authorities received a strange letter demanding to transfer ? 140,000 to pay for television services for pensioners and the poor ... The cast of the film will be led by an Oscar-winning British duo. Bunton will be portrayed by Jim Broadbent ("Iris"), and Helen Mirren ("The Queen") will appear as his on-screen wife.   Roger Michell (Notting Hill) will take the director's chair for The Duke. Source: Deadline The Topic of Article: The old robber. |
