Murder in Samarkand: Difference between revisions

The book was originally published by Mainstream (Edinburgh) in 2006 but only after several battles. Before its publication, many potential readers had been contacted through Internet posts and e-mail listings to raise interest and by creatingcreate a body of public opinion, to guard against the publisher being 'bullied' out of printing the book by government pressure. These communications also mentioned how supporting government documents which were originally planned for inclusion had been forcibly removed because of 'copyright' worrieslaws. This, despite Murray's claimsassertions that many had received a formal release and thus should have been withinin the [[public domain]]. Their forced removal, Murray has statedsaid, is the government "trying to claw back the very limited gains in [[Freedom of Information]] in the UK",<ref>''Murder in Samarkand'', preface, page 13 (2007 paperback edition)</ref> especially attempts to close websites on which the supporting documents were posted instead. Though many attempts to do this have proved successful, media interest has also meant that the documents frequently re-surfaceresurface on [[mirror website|mirror sites]].<ref>[http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/1200 Craig Murray documents — The media catches on *UPDATED*], ''Blairwatch'' blog, 11 July 2006</ref>

A minor controversy involved the choice of photographs on the 2007 paperback edition, two of the three photos having been the same as those previously appearing in the 2004 ''[[Lonely Planet]]'' guide to Central Asia by [[Bradley Mayhew]], [[Paul Clammer]] and [[Michael Kohn]]. Neither shows [[Samarkand]]. The rear cover of ''Murder in Samarkand'' uses the same photo of [[Bukhara]] that was the guide book's cover photo. Murray's front cover uses a sunset scene that had appeared on page 7 of the guide (and shows [[Khiva]]).<ref>''Lonely Planet: Central Asia'' page 7</ref> There were no copyright issues in this case as both photos were licensed through [[Getty Images]].<ref>''Murder in Samarkand'', back page credit</ref><ref>''Lonely Planet: Central Asia'', page 512 credit</ref> Murray has stated he did not choose the cover and does not like its "masculine" appearance.

==MovieFilm version==

A moviefilm version of the book iswas in development. Paramount bought the rights and developed a script written by [[David Hare (dramatist)|David Hare]]. [[Michael Winterbottom]] was attached to direct and actor [[Steve Coogan]] to play Murray. After disagreements over the script, Paramount passed on the project, their rights meaning no one else could produce Hare's script. Another movie script based on the book is being developed by screenwriter Don Macpherson. Julien Temple is now the director and Baby Cow the production company.<ref name{{cn|date="Daily Mail" >[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1250751/CRAIG-MURRAY-My-storys-torture-car-chases-sex-evil-tyrant--No-wonder-called-Doctor-Who.html CRAIG MURRAY: My story's about torture, car chases, sex and an evil tyrant... No wonder they called in Doctor Who], The Daily Mail, 17 FebruaryJune 2010</ref>2021}}

Following Paramount's decision to pass on the film script, [[David Hare (dramatist)|David Hare]] convinced them to release the audio rights to the script, and rewrote it as a radio play. The radio play of ''Murder in Samarkand'' was broadcast on 20 February 2010 on [[BBC Radio 4]], starringwith [[David Tennant]] as Murray.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qs5x7 |title=BBC Radio 4 Programmes -– Saturday Play, Murder in Samarkand |work=BBC |accessdate=1 April 2011}}</ref> The play was nominated for best drama at the [[Sony Radio Academy Awards]] 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/31734/neil-mckays-rip-boy-receives-nomination-for |title=Nominations for Sony Radio Awards |first=Matthew |last=Hemley |work=The Stage |date=31 March 2011 |accessdate=1 April 2011}}</ref>

== References ==

== External links ==

* [httphttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/murder-in-samarkand-by-craig-murray-411323.html ''Murder in Samarkand'', by Craig Murray: Tashkent tales of terror and tippling], ''[[The Independent]]'', 11 August 2006

[[Category:2006 non-fiction books]]

[[Category:Human rights abuses in Uzbekistan]]