The father of murdered toddler James Bulger has slammed a new film about his sons killing that was made without contacting the family.
Ralph Bulger said he has never been so offended as he accused it of being overly sympathetic to Jamess killers Jon Venables and Robert Thompson.
Vincent Lambes short film is said to be an attempt to humanise the 10-year-old killers who murdered James, two, after they snatched him from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.
Detainment is based on interview transcripts and records from the case. It has been shortlisted for an Oscar.
Mr Bulger said it would be horrific if the film won an award and said he has been left devastated by the latest portrayal of his sons murder.
Victim may be forced to see stalker so he can visit their son
He told the Mirror: Not once has the maker of this film contacted me or any of Jamess family about this film.
Advertisement
Advertisement
It has been 26 years since my son was taken and murdered and so I have seen many documentaries and news stories about him.
But I have never been so cut up and offended by something that shows so little compassion to James and his family.
I accept this is a murder of such magnitude it will always be written about and featured in the news but to make a film so sympathetic to Jamess killers is devastating.
He added: He may consider it to be in the public domain but he is making films and a career from the murder of my son.
The very least he could have done was to contact us and let us know what he was planning.
NHS plan to save 500,000 lives over next 10 years
It will be horrific if this film wins an Oscar or any awards, given the disregard shown to Jamess family.
Former police chief Albert Kirby, who led the investigation into the murder, agreed.
He said: I think it lacks any form of taste or decency and has been made without any consideration of the effect on Denise [Fergus, Jamess mum], the family and also any number of other people who were involved in the sensitive issues of the investigation.
Director Vincent Lambe admitted last week he did not contact Ralph or Denise, 51, before releasing the film.
James mother is said to be extremely upset and angry by the film.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Mr Lambe told Good Morning Britain: I think they wouldnt want a film like this to be made.
He said his 30-minute film was entirely factual with no embellishments.
He added: A lot of people might say they feel its wrong to humanise them, but if people cant accept the fact they were human beings, they would never be able to begin to understand what could have driven them to prevent such a crime.
Detainment was released last year and shown at a number of European film festivals.
Advertisement
Advertisement
[contf]
[contfnew]
METRO
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]