The story of identical twins June and Jennifer Gibbons, who spoke to no one but each other for years, has been brought to life in a new film. Born in April 1963 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, the twins were admitted to Broadmoor Hospital at age 19 after committing a series of crimes including vandalism, theft, and arson. Jennifer died at age 30 in 1993 while being transferred to another facility.
Marjorie Wallace, executive producer of the film and founder of mental health charity SANE, spent decades with the sisters. She described them as brilliant writers with a great sense of humour. Wallace first met the twins when they were 18 and has remained close with June, who still has an infectious laugh.
Wallace said the real story came from the twins' diaries, where they wrote 3,000 words a day about each other and their love-hate relationship. From a young age, the girls turned their bedroom into a 'crucible of self-education', teaching themselves and writing with imagination and skill.
Though Jennifer's cause of death has never been officially determined, Wallace said she and June believe Jennifer 'sacrificed herself so June would be truly liberated'. Wallace described the story as 'terrible' but noted June now has peace and accepts what happened with a sense of resolution.
The film, 'The Silent Twins', is based on Wallace's 1986 book of the same name. Wallace continues to see June regularly, calling her a 'wonderful person' and a comforting friend.
