Stanley Dwight (L) with his children and Elton John (R, blue shirt) had shared moments together. (Image via: Daily Mail)

Geoff Dwight: "Elton Made Dad Looks Bad"

Inaccuracy in adaptation is still a problem in “Rocketman”. While it received warm, tear-jerking welcomes at 72nd Cannes Film Festival, condemnation came from the family from which the film is adapted.

On a scene, the young Elton tries to obtain a piece of affection from his father, only to receive a rebuke. “Don’t be soft,” said the father. The father’s name is Stanley Dwight.

Geoff Dwight, half brother of the superstar Elton John, bashed his half brother for depicting their half father, Stanley Dwight – played by Steven Mackintosh -, not as what he naturally was. “The film (Rocketman) betrays our dad,” asserted Geoff.

Stanley Dwight, passed away in January 1991 and an ex military, is depicted as a stern, harsh father figure in Rocketman film. According to Geoff, their dad was not as cold, bigot person as depicted in the film. As matter of fact, Stanley Dwight was a supportive, loving, good dad material, and he was extremely proud of Elton’s achievements. “That is not our dad,” said Geoff.

Geoff and Elton did not talk ever since the passing away of their father. Geoff picks a rather peaceful life out of limelight in North Wales.

Prepare your tissue, as Geoff Dwight then recalled the moment before Stanley breathed his last. Not as unloving as other stereotypical half-father, Stanley embraced Elton wholly with his gender orientation, and he thought of him as a son.

“I remember a family friend said to him ‘Oh, you got four wonderful sons (Geoff, Stanley Jr., Robert, & Simon), Stanley,’ to which he replied, ‘No, I got five (including Elton).’ Clearly, he was proud of Elton, and this (film) is not how he should have remembered him.”

Truth be told, Geoff even said that Elton was not there at the last moment of their father.

Geoff even remembered that from all people Stanley was the most supportive to Elton’s musical taste. As matter of fact, Elton’s first piano was brought and sent to him by Stanley. Edna, Stanley’s second wife, backed this claim as she said that she kept the receipt of purchase of the piano.

Nonetheless, Elizabeth Rosenthal, who compiled Elton’s musical journey, stated in her book that Stanley Dwight and Elton’s mother, Sheila Eileen, had divorced. Stanley then married to Edna.

Whilst it was true that Stanley wanted Elton to have brighter career, the family often argued due to Stanley’s frequent dispatch and divorce was the end. Sheila then married to Fred Farebrother.

As Elton remember, his step-father was the loving one, not Stanley. While for Stanley, Elton only remember him as a stern father with incapability of showing love in public or private life.

Whilst inaccuracy is still a problem in biography adaptation movies, the true story lies behind the door where only those who experienced it know.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7094579/Elton-Johns-father-proud-brother-reveals-accuses-singer-betrayal-new-film.html