Key Highlights
- A university academic won a defamation lawsuit against the creators of the film “The Lost King.”
- The film portrayed Richard Taylor in a way that he found defamatory, accusing him of being “misogynistic” and “weasel-like.”
- Richard Taylor was unhappy with his portrayal in the 2019 film about the search for Richard III’s remains.
- The case was settled out of court after Judge Jaron Lewis ruled that the film had a defamatory meaning.
Background on “The Lost King”
The 2019 film “The Lost King” focused on the discovery of Richard III’s remains in Leicester, England. The documentary-style movie highlighted the role of historian Philippa Langley and involved archaeologists from the University of Leicester. Richard Taylor, who was then the deputy registrar at the university, played a significant part in the search.
Richard Taylor’s Legal Battle
Richard Taylor sued Steve Coogan, the writer and director of “The Lost King,” as well as his production company Baby Cow Productions, and Pathe Productions. He was unhappy with how he was portrayed in the film, which depicted him as smug, dismissive, and patronising.
During a hearing outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Taylor expressed his satisfaction with the court’s decision: “I’m really pleased that we have finally established that the film is a defamatory portrayal of me – baseless in its depiction of me and a distortion of the search for Richard III.” He added that despite being depicted negatively, he still appreciated the collaborative effort involved in finding Richard III’s remains.
Legal Ruling and Future Implications
In June 2023, Judge Jaron Lewis ruled that the film portrayed Mr. Taylor as having “knowingly misrepresented facts to the media and the public” about the discovery, and described him as being “smug, unduly dismissive and patronising,” which could be defamatory.
Following a settlement in the High Court on Monday, Taylor’s lawyers described it as a “defamation David and Goliath moment.” Daniel Jennings from Shakespeare Martineau stated that this win demonstrates the recourse available to individuals who find themselves misrepresented. He further warned that such portrayals could act as “a real warning” for film productions using “true accounts” tactics.
Steve Coogan’s lawyers acknowledged their responsibility in portraying complex real-life stories and expressed pride in the film, despite the settlement.
Industry Context and Analysis
The case highlights the growing trend of documentary films and television series labeled as “true accounts,” aimed at generating media buzz. As such productions become more prevalent, this lawsuit serves as a reminder to filmmakers about their legal obligations when portraying individuals in potentially defamatory ways.
Legal experts suggest that while these productions claim authenticity, they must still adhere to the law and respect the rights of those depicted. This ruling could set an important precedent for future similar cases involving academic figures or public searches for historical artifacts.
This article delves into the legal battle over a documentary film’s portrayal of a university academic, shedding light on the legal implications of such productions in the entertainment industry.
