Gruesome duo subject of star-studded Hallowe'en release

NORTH West grave robbers cum serial killers Burke and Hare provide the subject material for an upcoming feature from one of Hollywood's most famous directors scheduled to hit the cinema screens in time for Hallowe'en.

The pair - infamous for their resourceful body snatching activities in Edinburgh in the early 19th Century - are played by Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) and Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings) in a new film directed by Join Landis (The Blues Brothers and An American Werewolf in London).

Burke was hanged in 1829 for what became known as the “Burke and Hare murders.” Hare got away with it in return for giving evidence.

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The North West immigrants were said to have killed 17 people in Edinburgh between November 1827 and October 1828, before selling the corpses to a Dr Robert Knox in the furtherance of profit and medical science.

The murderers have a strong connection with the Londonderry area. William Burke was said to have born in Urney, near Strabane. After a stint as an officer's servant in the Donegal Militia he left his wife and two children and emigrated to Scotland circa 1817.

William Hare’s birthplace was said to have been Londonderry. He too, emigrated to Scotland and worked as a Union Canal labourer, as did Burke. It was from here they embarked on their gruesome reign of terror.

Simon Pegg will play the Strabane man whilst Andy Serkis will play the Londonderry man in Landis’ forthcoming film. It will also feature the comedian Bill Bailey and is due for release on October 29.