Dir: David Wilkinson | UK Doc 114′
In his latest documentary pioneering filmmaker David Wilkinson puts forward a valid case for the return of the famous Elgin Marbles to their original home in the Parthenon Temple in Athens.
Thomas Bruce, Lord Elgin (1766-1841) was a Scottish diplomat, collector and Ambassador to the Ottoman Turkish Empire when he removed the storied Marbles in the hope of cultivating an interest in artefacts of the classical era in Britain, and raising his own profile into the bargain.
Now, at a time when Western nations are apologising for the misdemeanours of their forebears, the removal of The Marbles, which have given rise to endless controversy over the past two hundred years, is now being re-considered as an ‘art theft’. Wilkinson builds a convincing argument for the return of The Marbles so redressing the injustices of the past.
All over the World, war, conflict and casual looting in the name of tourism has caused mass destruction of valuable sites, ruins and buildings of architectural importance. Back in 1801 Elgin hoped to gain recognition by ‘discovering’ the Marbles, comprising a collection of plaques, friezes, pediments, columns and caryatids and, with the help of the British government, have them brought over to Britain.
When this assistance was refused Elgin went ahead and financed the venture himself to the tune of about £75,000. The British Museum then acquired the works for £35,000. This was an investment that clearly cost Elgin money but saved his name for posterity. Now his gesture has backfired: He stands accused of posthumously plundering the artworks, and is being associated with war crimes in much the same way as the Nazis, who stole priceless artworks from the Jewish owners during the Second World War.
In this follow-up to his documentary debut Getting Away with Murder(s) David Wilkinson’s approach is even-handed and makes use of engaging arguments for the return of The Marbles with a variety of convincing interviews. Amongst them is Patricia Allan, onetime Curator of World Cultures at Glasgow Museums; Tristram Besterman, former director of Manchester Museum, who developed ethical standards for cultural restitution; Neil Curtis whose work at the University of Aberdeen has involved the return of artworks to Canada and Mark Stephens, a lawyer specialising in The Marbles’ case along with that of Jewish art looted by the Nazis.
Janet Suzman, who chairs the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, has taken up the cause and her impassioned plea to have The Marbles sent back to their proper home is possibly the most heartfelt in this well-crafted documentary.
There is no shame attached to admitting responsibility in the case of art restitution: many other countries are quietly acknowledging that returning artefacts collected over the years to their original owners is clearly the right thing to do. @MeredithTaylor
Opening Night Film (World Premiere) Central Scotland Documentary Festival 30th October 2025
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