Duncan Edwards film review: The Boy Who Had It All doesn't disappoint
‘He was just born with the ability, it was natural. He kicked the ball without one of us showing him how’.
The Boy Who Had It All has been an anticipated release by filmmaker Marcus Distant. And from those opening words it didn’t disappoint.
Running for around 17 minutes, it focuses on the football hero Duncan Edwards’ childhood in Dudley before he went on to glory with Manchester United and England.
Sadly, his career was tragically cut short by injuries sustained in the Munich air disaster in 1958.
His mother, Annie Edwards, was described as a lovely lady round this neck of the woods and a warmth comes across from actress Angela Plater in the short film, who depicts the mourning mother in the early noughties sitting beside Duncan’s grave in Dudley Cemetery.
The film was premiered at an intimate screening at Old Trafford at the weekend. Poignant and nostalgic, Duncan appears from Annie’s imagination kicking over her flask with a football, his number six shirt gleaming.
“Go on then, pour us a cup of tea Mum,” he says, before they dance by the graveside for one last time. It’s tear jerking stuff. And played out authentically by 24-year-old James Ayling.
Scenes were also shot at the Black Country Living Museum earlier in the summer, which gives a perfect backdrop for Duncan’s younger years.
Cameron Hay plays the role of young Duncan, with slicked back hair and a cheeky left kick.
Of course, the loveable rogue breaks a window with his magic touch and is taken away to get a clip around the ear by mum. But Duncan’s father, Gladstone, played by Craig Wilkinson, has his back.
A loving father and son scene is shown on screen, with both actors portraying a believable bond.
Then, no sooner is young Duncan back out on the cobbled streets again – proving the bully wrong in a kick about and getting a peck on the cheek from crush Molly.
Its great to see that this short film, which came about via a crowdfunding campaign, has reignited interest in the iconic player.
Marcus Distant managed to secure two suites at Old Trafford as part of the screening on what would have been Edwards’ 81st birthday on Sunday.
And what more of a bostin’ way to pay tribute to our Duncan than with this piece.
He may have been the boy who had it all, but he was also our boy wonder.
