A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story is a compelling historical crime drama that delves deep into the life of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in the United Kingdom. Created by Kelly Jones and inspired by Carol Anne Lee's biography A Fine Day for Hanging, this series on BritBox is a powerful exploration of a woman’s tragic journey through love, betrayal, and ultimate punishment. The show reveals not just the story of a crime but also the societal and personal struggles that pushed Ruth to a devastating act of violence. Lucy Boynton delivers a mesmerizing performance as Ruth, capturing the emotional complexity of a woman whose life was defined by abuse, societal judgment, and an overwhelming desire for affection.
The series opens on a chilling and poignant note: July 13, 1955, the day Ruth Ellis is executed for the murder of her lover, David Blakely. Ruth, calm and composed, faces her impending execution with a striking serenity. Despite the gravity of the moment, she eats her final meal—eggs and coffee—with quiet dignity, refusing any medication to ease her anxiety. Dressed in a silk blouse and skirt, her look completed with bold red lipstick, Ruth’s appearance contrasts sharply with the discomfort felt by everyone around her, from the prison guards to the undertaker, all of whom are visibly shaken by the situation. Yet, Ruth remains resolute, her courage undeniable in the face of such an unforgiving fate. This opening moment sets the tone for a story that is as much about personal defiance as it is about systemic cruelty.
Directed by Lee Haven Jones, the first two episodes of A Cruel Love set the stage for Ruth's tragic end by recounting her arrest, trial, and conviction. In a stark, fast-paced sequence, the audience is taken through Ruth’s arrest on Easter Sunday 1955, where she is found guilty of shooting David at close range. The moment of arrest is portrayed with chilling calmness—Ruth, dressed in a grey overcoat, is taken into custody, and in the interrogation room, she simply states, "I am guilty. I’m rather confused." Her understated admission of guilt is just the beginning of a complex portrayal of a woman grappling with her actions and the circumstances that led to them.
Despite her guilt, Ruth’s journey through the legal system is far from straightforward. At first, she resists the advice of her defense lawyer, John Bickford, played by Toby Jones, even as he tries to guide her through the legal process. Ruth’s strong-willed nature and determination to maintain the image of control and independence she had worked so hard to cultivate make her a challenging client. Her reluctance to discuss the physical and emotional abuse she suffered at David’s hands, as well as her silence about her accomplice, add layers of mystery and intrigue to her character. Ruth’s pride and twisted sense of loyalty keep her from fully opening up, even as the legal system prepares to seal her fate.
As the series progresses, A Cruel Love shifts focus from the trial to the personal history that led Ruth to commit such a drastic act. The show delves into Ruth's troubled relationship with David Blakely, providing flashbacks that reveal how their tumultuous two-year affair dismantled the life she had once built. Before meeting David, Ruth was a successful, independent woman—she had a career, a stable income, custody of her two children, and a lovely apartment. However, David’s charm and cruelty slowly strip away all that Ruth had worked for, showing how his emotional manipulation and physical abuse ultimately drove her to a breaking point. The portrayal of their relationship is painful to watch but necessary to understand the complexity of Ruth’s actions.
Moreover, the series shines a light on the men who circled Ruth’s life, including David’s co-dependent friends, Carole and Anthony Findlater, played by Bessie Carte and Ed Sayer, respectively. This married couple forms a part of the web of manipulation surrounding David, using their relationship with him to further distance him from Ruth. Their meddling highlights the power dynamics and social games at play during the time, adding another layer to the psychological complexity of Ruth’s story.
But what truly makes A Cruel Love resonate is its stunning visual aesthetic. Cinematographer Bryan Gavigan, production designer Stephen Campbell, and costume designer Michael Weldon bring 1950s London to life with rich, atmospheric details. The post-World War II period, marked by conservatism and social restrictions, is beautifully juxtaposed against Ruth’s defiant, glamorous persona. With her bleached blonde hair, bold lipstick, and fashionable clothing, Ruth embodies a freedom and confidence that was rare for women of her time, especially women like her—single mothers, sex workers, and those who didn’t conform to societal norms. Ruth stands as both a threat and an enigma to the status quo, and this tension is powerfully conveyed through the show’s visual storytelling.
Beyond Ruth herself, A Cruel Love serves as a searing critique of the societal norms and gender dynamics of the 1950s. Ruth’s profession as a sex worker and her success as the youngest club manager in London make her a figure of both fascination and disdain. In a society where women were expected to conform to rigid standards of respectability, Ruth’s independence and sexuality made her a pariah. Her reputation was tarnished in “proper” social circles, yet she simultaneously captivated the men around her, from her boss at the club to David, Desmond, and even the detectives and judge who later preside over her trial. Ruth’s execution is not only a punishment for the crime she committed but a condemnation of her audacity to live outside the boundaries set for women in her time. Her perceived power, rooted in her desirability and independence, made her a threat to the societal order, and her death sentence reflected that.
What is perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of A Cruel Love is Ruth’s willingness to defend the very men who betrayed her. The series is not just a reimagining of a tragic life; it’s a reflection on the broader societal practices that allow women like Ruth to fall through the cracks. The justice system, with all its flaws, often punishes those it deems undesirable or unworthy, and Ruth’s case exemplifies how those who are labeled as “different” or “unacceptable” are often discarded by society, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and ultimately, punishment.
In many ways, A Cruel Love is a stark reminder of the consequences of a system that punishes the wrong people. Ruth Ellis’ story is not just about a woman who committed a heinous act—it’s about a woman who was failed by a society that couldn’t—or wouldn’t—protect her. The show challenges us to think about the broader implications of Ruth’s fate and the ways in which societal norms continue to shape the lives of those who dare to defy them. It’s a heartbreaking yet gripping tale that will stay with you long after the final credits roll.
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