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Characters
Find out who the main characters are in the screenplay for GREATREX.
John Greatrex
Greatrex possesses all the attributes of a man not to be trusted. A thief, adulterer, liar and forger, he is driven by his own sense of greed and self-preservation.
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A great orator, he blends in seamlessly on both stage and at the pulpit with the ability to instil a misconceived trust by others in him.
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At six feet in height, he stands out among the crowd and with his good looks and the gift of conversation, he attracts the attention of the opposite sex.
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Yet for all his indiscretions and criminality, he is a very clever and intelligent man.
Jessie Greatrex
Suffering wife of Greatrex, Jessie is a quiet soul dedicated to the raising of her children and keeping a good home.
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The fact that she gives birth to a child while at sea suggests there is an inner strength, which comes to the fore later in the story when her husband’s indiscretions, failed ventures and criminal enterprises catch up with him.
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Even for the downtrodden there comes a moment when enough is enough and she becomes the catalyst in capturing her fugitive husband.
Jane Weir
Jane Weir is twenty-one years of age and both in love and in awe with Greatrex. Overcome by his powers of persuasion, she succumbs to his desires and is willing to follow him blindly on his ventures.
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Vulnerable and insecure about her relationship with her older lover, she tries hard to please him as she follows his instructions without question, even if that means breaking the law.
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Pretty and innocent in looks, she is either stupid or ignorant of what Greatrex is up to.
Sewell Grimshaw
Thirty-two-year-old Sewell, like his brother Thomas, is from Rochdale. A die cutter in the linen trade where he produces engravings for the patterns on the materials, he is a skilled worker, but hard times leave him vulnerable to the plan devised by Greatrex.
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Overcome by greed, he takes little persuasion to contribute to the creation of the forged notes which will ultimately send him to prison risking a secure future for his wife and child.
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There is irony in that it is his Christian beliefs that introduce him to Greatrex.
Thomas Grimshaw
Thomas at thirty-six years of age is the older of the two brothers and works as a cylinder printer, so his skills are useful for the plan that unfolds.
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Single, he has no worries about breaking the law but his indiscretions at spending money ultimately bring about the capture of both him and his brother.
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When confronted by his sister-in-law he is prepared to lie to ensure the plan is fulfilled, thus emphasising his willingness to participate rather than allow rationality to see sense.
Superintendent McCall
McCall is a new breed of detective. With a degree in law, he is an extremely clever individual and just who is required to capture Greatrex.
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Dogged, confident and driven, he will not be put off by obstacles such as distance in his desire to capture his fugitive.
There is also an element of cunning in his approach when faced with trying to find Greatrex in New York.
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Introduced to the story when he receives an award, he is a man in the right place at the right time.
