This New Drama Starring Lucy Boynton Is Based on Real-Life Tragedy & Already Has 100% on RT
The tragic fate of a woman who just wanted to be happy.
The new British series A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story is a tragic illustration of how 1950s society treated women, especially those who did not conform to conservative norms.
This show is definitely not to be missed by any fan of historical dramas – A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story already has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
What Is A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story About?
Ruth Ellis (Lucy Boynton) is finishing breakfast in her prison cell when she meets a group of men who will take her to a room in a few minutes to carry out a harsh sentence – death by hanging.
A few months ago, she shot and killed race car driver David Blakely, with whom she had a long-term romantic relationship. Ellis immediately pleaded guilty and was taken into custody.
Today, July 13, 1955, it will all be over. But what brought the woman into that room? Why did she kill a man she apparently loved dearly?
The Show Explores the Topic of Abusive Co-Dependent Relationship
The series not only slowly unravels the tangle of causes and effects of a particular character's behavior, but also helps answer a question that is still pressing for many: Why don't women leave men who hurt them?
Ruth is part of a codependent relationship in which love and violence are inextricably intertwined. The series delves deep into Ellis' life, bringing to the surface startling facts that help to understand the hopelessness of the situation she found herself in.
The Government Abolished the Death Penalty Several Years After Ruth's Death
Because of Ruth's immediate and frighteningly cold-blooded admission of guilt, the case was not properly investigated. As a result, many pieces of evidence were overlooked that could have influenced the preventive measure and were discovered after the sentence was carried out.
Ruth's case caused such a public outcry that the British government abolished the death penalty a few years later.
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story Is an Accurate Depiction of Real-Life Events
The series does not go to extremes and does not try to justify the woman, but it does what the court should have done at the time – it delves into the life story and examines the factors that had a direct impact on the psychological state of the woman.
Ruth Ellis is certainly guilty, but does she deserve the death penalty?
None of those who concealed their involvement in David Blakely's murder and those who rushed to close the Ellis case for personal reasons were ever convicted.