Sus
Election night, 1979. For one man the result is already in.
Trailer. The full film is available for screenings on request.
Election night, 3 May 1979. Margaret Thatcher is about to take power. In an East London police station, Leon Delroy is held on suspicion of murdering his pregnant wife. Two detectives, high on the prospect of a Tory victory, want a quick confession. Delroy does not yet know his wife is dead. The night has only just begun.
Barrie Keeffe, writer of The Long Good Friday, wrote Sus as Thatcher entered Number 10. He based it on a case he had covered as a young reporter. Thirty years later he adapted it for the screen with director Robert Heath. Clint Dyer plays Delroy. Ralph Brown and Rafe Spall are DS Karn and DC Wilby.
The team first met to plan the film on 3 May 2009, thirty years to the day after the night it depicts. It was shot in ten days in CinemaScope at Elstree Studios and on location in East London. It premiered at the East End Film Festival in April 2010 and opened in UK cinemas on 7 May, the day after the general election.
A Thin Film Productions, Mensch Films and 3rd Eye Films production. Edited and co-produced by Robin Mahoney. Released in UK cinemas by Independent.
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“On stage it was disturbing. On film it’s devastating.”
Bob Hoskins
“Highly-charged, socially conscious drama like this is not just welcome but necessary.”
New York Times
“Speaks a truth that will shock to the core.”
Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail
“Intense and gripping, with terrific performances from all three actors.”
David Gritten, Daily Telegraph
“A smashing piece of drama that translates very well to the screen and holds you riveted to the end.”
Derek Malcolm, Evening Standard ★★★★
“Simply one of the best British made films I have ever seen.”
Dan Carrier, Camden New Journal ★★★★★
| Director | Robert Heath |
|---|---|
| Writer | Barrie Keeffe, from his stage play |
| Cast | Ralph Brown, Clint Dyer, Rafe Spall, Anjela Lauren Smith |
| Director of photography | Jono Smith |
| Editor | Robin Mahoney |
| Production designer | Mark Sutherland |
| Music | Sally Herbert. Additional music by Goldie |
| Producers | Robert Heath, Clint Dyer, Robin Mahoney, Jono Smith, Oliver Ledwith |
| Executive producers | Rezmin Saberi, Philippe Derimay, Claire Castera |
| Production | Thin Film Productions, Mensch Films, 3rd Eye Films |
| Format | CinemaScope, shot on RED |
| Certificate | 15 |
| Released | UK, 7 May 2010 |
Production stills by Alex Winn. Elstree Studios, summer 2009.
