Revisiting the Redlands: A Film on The Rolling Stones Drug Bust of the 1960s
A new film about The Rolling Stones Redlands drug bust is currently in development, as revealed by Nigel Havers. The project will revisit one of the most high-profile celebrity court cases of the 1960s, where his father, the late Lord Havers, represented Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Keith Richards. The 74-year-old actor shared that the film is expected to follow a recent musical adaptation of the story at The Chichester Festival, with plans for the film to be made later this year. However, Havers mentioned that he will not be portraying his father in the film as he feels he is now "too old."
The Redlands case, which took place in February 1967, remains a significant moment in 1960s Britain. The police raided Redlands, the Sussex home of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards during a party attended by band members, including frontman Sir Mick Jagger. The raid resulted in drug charges against Jagger, Richards, and art dealer Robert Fraser, creating a media frenzy. The legal defence of Jagger and Richards was led by Lord Michael Havers, who later served as Lord Chancellor under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher from 1987-1988.
Nigel Havers, who was a teenager when the case unfolded, recalled the moment the news broke. He shared an anecdote from the A Night in with Sally Lindsay podcast, where he mentioned his parents' initial dislike for The Stones. Despite their reservations, his father ended up defending Jagger and Richards in the case. Havers also reminisced about the time when Jagger and Richards stayed at their house, with Mick expressing fear about the situation. Lord Havers managed to have Jagger's conviction overturned and Richard's prison sentence replaced with conditional discharge, allowing him to avoid jail.
Last year, Nigel Havers portrayed his real-life grandfather, Sir Cecil Havers, in the ITV drama, A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story. The actor is currently touring the UK with his unscripted one-man show, Talking B****, showcasing his talent and versatility on stage. The upcoming film about The Rolling Stones Redlands drug bust is set to delve into the intriguing details of the case, offering a fresh perspective on this iconic moment in music history. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project!