HERE is a first look at stars Helen Miren and Jim Broadbent as they started filming on The Duke movie in Bradford this week.

The Duke is set in 1961, following Kempton Bunton, a 60-year-old taxi driver, who stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London.  It was the first (and remains the only) theft in the Gallery’s history. 

READ MORE: Filming starts in Bradford on Helen Mirren movie The Duke

Kempton sent ransom notes saying that he would return the painting on condition that the government invested more in care for the elderly - he had long campaigned for pensioners to receive free television.

But only 50 years later did the full story emerge - Kempton had spun a web of lies. 

 

Filming began at Bradford's City Hall earlier this week. The release date of the film is not yet known. 

The film is directed by BAFTA award winner Roger Michell (My Cousin Rachel, Notting Hill). 

David Wilson, Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film said: "It was a real pleasure to host the first scenes of this film in Bradford. 

"We have worked closely with the production for the past few months to prepare some excellent Bradford locations. 

"In addition to the excitement of having such great talent in the city there is also the economic impact in terms of hotel stays for crew and local spend at cafes etc. 

"We have also managed to get some great opportunities for students from the University of Bradford and Bradford College to support the production."