Derek Bentley was partially pardoned posthumously by Home Secretary Michael Howard, who said he should not have been hanged, but was still guilty. Bentley's conviction was later overturned by the Court of Appeal, who said that he had not had a fair trial because of the behavior of the trial judge, Lord Goddard. This movie has been credited for keeping the case in the public eye.
Original Director Alex Cox was replaced by Peter Medak because Cox wanted to film in black-and-white.
Christopher Eccleston's nephew Peter played Derek Bentley as a child. Peter's sister Rebecca also has a part in this movie.
Based on the 1990 book "Let Him Have It, Chris" by British author and history teacher, M.J. Trow.
The film takes place in 1941, 1948, 1951, 1952 and 1953.