Academic likely to use legal action against Richard III film ‘The Lost King’
An academic has said he is likely to take legal action against the makers of The Lost King, a new film about the discovery of the body of Richard III.
Richard Taylor, who was part of the University of Leicester team that found and identified the bones of the king 10 years ago, said the film was “littered with inaccuracies”.
Steve Coogan, who stars in the film and co-wrote its script, said that “the university are responsible for their own undoing”.
The film stars Sally Hawkins as Philippa Langley, an amateur historian whose efforts to find the body of King Richard III led to the discovery of his remains under a car park in Leicester in 2012.
In its promotional material, the film is described as the “remarkable, true story”, while an on-screen declaration declares that the film is “based on a true story – her story”.
However, Mr Taylor, a former deputy registrar at Leicester, said that he was “absolutely shell-shocked” at the way he was portrayed in the film, and he said that the filmmakers had not tried to speak to him.
He said: “I think the film is inaccurate, and I think the writers have been very reckless in how they’ve put it together. Anybody who knows me knows my integrity is important to me.
“There are lots of people I have to work with who don’t know me – what are they to think, seeing a film like that?”
He added: “The film is littered with inaccuracies. It makes up a scene where I mimic Richard III’s disability, and have to be told by Philippa that it’s wrong to equate physical characteristics with evilness.
“That is the most hurtful personally and the most damaging reputationally. It is not true; it did not take place.
“I’d hoped my concerns would have chimed with Steve Coogan, who had his privacy invaded by newspapers over phone hacking. To see him on the other side of the fence now, doing this to me is quite frustrating. I feel kind of powerless in the way Steve would have felt.”
Mr Taylor said that he tried to engage with producers to get changes, including the removal of one scene and a note attached to the credits stating that the character is not based on him, but he said he had been refused.
He said: “I’m trying to be reasonable. I’ve tried to offer a way to bring this to a conclusion where they make some small changes.
“I have sought to engage in good faith with the producers to gain changes, but have been refused. Legal action is now likely.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for Leicester said that the film’s portrayal of events is “far removed” from the reality of what happened.
They added: “We worked closely with Philippa Langley throughout the project, and she was not sidelined by the university. Indeed, she formed part of the team interview panel for every single press conference connected to the king.”
Mr Coogan said he believed that the university had “played this quite badly”, and he disputed the claims of Leicester and Mr Taylor.
He said: “I think Leicester University assumed that their narrative would stand unchallenged for all eternity, which was an unwise thing for them to think.
“I’m not quite sure why they decided to relegate Philippa, who should have been front and centre, to the margins, and why she was not up there on the panel when they made the announcement that they could confirm through DNA analysis that it was indeed the body of Richard III.
“That should have been the crowning moment of a journey that she had started. They didn’t. She didn’t walk behind the coffin, all the academics did.”
Ms Langley said: “It’s not a documentary. It is a movie. I have had to fight to get my story told and the film does this.”
A spokesperson for the filmmakers said: “We stand by our film and Philippa’s narrative. The university and Richard Taylor have a different narrative, much of which is factually incorrect.”
One of the film’s producers said that filmmakers had been in contact with the university, despite Leicester claiming otherwise, but he stated that the intention of the film was to tell “Philippa’s story”.
Comments (11)
READ, Teresa, READ!
https://www.revealingrichardiii.com/langley.html
Brilliant film which allows Philippa’s story to be told. My husband and I, former students of Leicester Uni back in the 70s, will be writing .asking for an apology to be sent to her for being so sidelined. Academics all too often show unpleasant ruthlessness in clinging to their core theories at any cost; Philippa’s mysterious ‘hunches’ and strong emotions win the moral high ground here. Most importantly, she forced the Establishment to concede that Richard 111 was the rightful heir to the throne.
The university and its staff are…we’re all thinking about the prestige and future funding and honours that would be bestowed on them .Most businesses we know the in-line managers always takes the credit, when a department has a said positive review ,never so keen to take responsibility when a poor department is lambasted The lady in question deserves so much more credit for the hard work , tenacity and dedication to this project.
I think the movie was well done. But, isn’t it odd that she/they had no definitive statements re the young princes.
Bones were found under stairs in the Tower. They were interred under Charles II. I believe theu have disappeared.
There are too many valid and real
Historians who have presented excellent evidence that two men – both employed by Richard- probably suffocated the boys. They were never seen again.
The ferocity of Richard’s wounds at Bosworth have been attributed to the anger of Henry’s at the murder of these boys. It is a horrible story.
Am glad Phillip’s enormous efforts found Richard ‘ bones. Fabulous. Her bias towards Richard is not to be equated with the ultimate truth.
Read, people!
The film described events that took place up to 2015. Onlyafter having located the remains of Richard III did Ms. Langley give full attention to the mystery of the two princes. Her hypothesis to date, which supposes the princes were sent to their relative the Duchess of Burgundy in northern France, is quite different than yours. Feel free to KEEP reading!
https://www.folger.edu/podcasts/shakespeare-unlimited/princes-in-the-tower-langley/
https://www.revealingrichardiii.com/langley.html
I’ve just seen this film and it was remarkable – very well made and acted by all – and has prompted me to buy the book on which it was based. The willingness of men to silence women and take credit for their work is a depressingly familiar story, so it’s commendable that Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope, Stephen Frears et al have brought this production to our screens, and Philippa Langley is FINALLY having her much deserved moment in the spotlight.
SHAME ON YOU Leicester University for side-lining her!
The University have published a breakdown of costs, trying to argue that they funded the bulk of the expense. But the overwhelming bulk of their input was AFTER the excavation. Disingenuous, to say the least – in fact I can’t help suggesting that the University doth protest too much!
The University needs to understand that you reap what you sow. They’re digging in when they should be apologising for past mistakes and trying to make amends now.
The vast majority of costs (and expertise) in archaeology is in POST-excavation. Any fule can dig a hole. Post-ex analysis takes decades.
You have missed the point COMPLETELY, pfffttttt! go away.
Wakey wakey,
You’re missing the point.
If I paid to raise the titanic, it doesn’t mean I found it and had the tenacity to look for her in the first place. Shame on Leicester University and on you.
So very grateful to see the hurt and pain of Phillipa’s ME illness treated with such truthful dignity and for those arrogant, university staff to be exposed.
This helps all of us who have been through similar pain to have the hope of the truth prevailing.
Bravo , brave and truthful people !