The Duke
Performance & Direction: The Duke Review
Last updated: January 24, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Duke (2021) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Duke features a noteworthy lineup led by Jim Broadbent . Supported by the likes of Helen Mirren and Fionn Whitehead , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Duke (2021) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Duke
Quick Plot Summary: The Duke is a Comedy, Drama, History film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. In 1961, a 60-year-old taxi driver 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. What happened next became the stuff of legend. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: The Duke
Ending Breakdown: The Duke resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Duke reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Duke Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Duke draws heavily from documented historical records. As a comedy, drama, history film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: The Duke adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Duke?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Duke
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $11.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Duke Budget
The estimated production budget for The Duke is $11.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Duke
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Duke Online?
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Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeThe Duke Parents Guide & Age Rating
2021 AdvisoryWondering about The Duke age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Duke is 96 minutes (1h 36m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Duke is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2021 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Duke worth watching?
The Duke is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Duke parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Duke identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Duke?
The total duration of The Duke is 96 minutes, which is approximately 1h 36m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Duke
Nice to finally watch 'The Duke' at the cinema, given it had been delayed from September 2020 and I didn't get around to it during its February 2022 release - managed to catch one of the last few showings this afternoon. I don't usually check out trailers but I did unintentionally see one for this before a different film and it did look good - and I, now that I've seen it, can confirm that to be the case. It's very British, North Eastern English to be exact, with Jim Broadbent sporting an amusing Geordie accent - I'm a Southerner, but it sounded spot on to me. Broadbent is a great choice to play the main character, bringing all the necessary qualities to a role like Kempton Bunton. Helen Mirren is also involved to pleasant and noteworthy effect. Matthew Goode has a smaller role too. It is quite the true story that this film is based upon, one that is told in a fun but also meaningful manner - sometimes it is a bit too sweet for my liking, though for the vast majority it's neatly heartfelt. Cool to see the 'Dr. No' connection in there, also. A charmer. No doubt worth a watch if you get the chance.
Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren are two performers I tend to follow and give any production they are in a try. This is yet another movie based on actual events. I have nothing against that obviously if it is well done, but as someone who writes novels I am sometimes tempted to ask if production companies could support screenwriters who write pure fiction a bit more often. But that observation takes nothing away from this production. Broadbent is good throughout, especially when he charms the jury in a courtroom scene, which is nearly worth watching the movie all by itself. Helen Mirren disappears into her role as the almost crumpled housewife and does a great job. The film held my interest and I didn’t see the slight twist in the plot coming, though it feels right once it is revealed. I will be willing to watch the movie again if the opportunity arises, which for me is what separates the adequate programming from the truly entertaining.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
