KIDNAPPED
US, 1959, 95 minutes, Colour.
Peter Finch, James Mac Arthur, Bernard Lee, John Laurie, Finlay Currie, Niall Mc Guinness, Peter O' Toole, Miles Malleson, Oliver Johnston, Duncan Macrae, Andrew Cruickshank.
Directed by Robert Stevenson.
Kidnapped is a very enjoyable version of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic. (And it was directed by veteran Disney director Robert Stevenson: Mary Poppins, Old Yeller).
There have been many film versions and television versions of Kidnapped - with Freddie Bartholomew and Warner Baxter in the '30s as well as with Michael Caine in the '70s. Peter Finch is a credible Alan Breck and James Mac Arthur is a credible Davey. Amongst the supporting cast are Peter O'Toole and Finlay Currie.
The film has the outline of the adventures of Davey, his going to his Uncle Ebenezer, his being kidnapped, his meeting with Alan Breck, his going through Scotland. There are colourful action sequences as well as fine landscapes.
All in all, a stirring version of the classic. (Disney had films Stevenson's Treasure Island with Robert Newton and Bobby Driscoll in 1950.)
1. The popularity of Robert Louis Stevenson's stories? A Disney version? Exciting and entertaining? The flavour of Stevenson?
2. Scottish landscapes, sets, period? The stirring score?
3. The fidelity of the film to Stevenson? David Balfour and his story? The focus on Alan Breck Stuart?
4. James Mac Arthur as David: his life in the village, his father's death, the journey, the meeting with Uncle Ebenezer and the confrontation, Ebenezer trying to kill him, his power over his uncle, the truth? The sea captain and his being kidnapped? work at sea? The death of the boy? Alan and his arrival? His Main beliefs? The fight, David saving Alan? The shipwreck? The landing and the greedy guide? The nobles? The flight with Alan? Cluny meeting the Campbells and the shooting? Mac Pherson and the insults? The game of cards, Alan's drinking and taking the money? David's anger? The manoeuvres for crossing the bridge? Macgregor? The lawyer and the final confession from Ebenezer? David's future?
5. Alan as Jacobean, at sea, the plots, the wreck, shooting and saving David, the flight, the arguments, the causes in Scotland, his gambling and drinking, Macgregor, his helping with the confession?
6. Uncle Ebenezer and his greed, the story of his gaining the house, his brother? Plotting his nephew's death? The captain? The final confrontation, the manoeuvre for his confession?
7. The sea sequences, the captain, the cruelty on board, the violence, the shipwreck?
8. The highlanders and their causes, canniness? The Clunies? Macgregor’s?
9. The lawyer, his help and advice?
10. An enjoyable action adventure of the 18th century? The Scots traditions? The rebellion? Loyalties?
