THE FIGHTING PRINCE OF DONEGAL

UK, 1966, 104 minutes, Colour.
Peter Mc Enery, Susan Hampshire, Tom Adams, Gordon Jackson, Andrew Keir, Norman Woolland, Richard Leech.
Directed by Michael O' Herlihy.

The Fighting Prince of Donegal is a Disney swashbuckling adventure released in the mid-'60s. It is in the vein of The Sword and the Rose and Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue which were made in the early '50s.

The setting is Ireland at the beginning of the 17th century. The Irish are the heroes, the occupying English are the villains. There is colourful adventure, colourful location scenery, Peter Mc Enery (a Shakespearean actor) as the fighting prince and Susan Hampshire in an early role as the strong-minded Kathleen. Gordon Jackson is the villain. A number of Irish and Scottish stars give strong support. Direction is by Michael O' Herlihy, who had been assistant on earlier Disney films, and who was to make a number of telemovies in succeeding decades including The Young Pioneers film and the Irish terrorist film based on Frederick Forsyth's story, Cry of

1. Enjoyable period romance? Swashbuckling adventure? Matinee material? And style?

2. The re-creation of the period, Ireland in the 15th and 16th centuries, pageantry, action? The rousing musical score?

3. Audience response to Ireland and its history, the clashes with the English? The 20th century perspective?

4. The legends about Hugh O' Donnell? The freedom of Ireland? Audience expectations about the legend?

5. Hugh as hero: pleasant, the alliances, the encounter with Mc Sweeney, the relationship with Kathleen? His capture, treatment in prison, Leads and his hostility? Hostage? The clashes with Leeds and the fight? The meeting with Sean O' Toole? The escape attempts? The visits in prison, especially from Kathleen? Henry O' Neill and his help? The escape, the help of Martin? Travelling the countryside, eluding pursuit, help from local people? The arrival at the castle? The build-up to the duel? The treaty and the happy ending?

6. Kathleen as heroine, strong-minded, love, the visits, capture, reunited?

7. Leeds as the villain? Englishman, his relationship with his men, arrogant, taunting Hugh? The fights? His plans, the escape, the confrontation?

8. Sean O' Toole and Henry O' Neill, in prison, angers, the dilemmas as to whether to escape or not, on the road, adventures, fighting?

9. The picture of the Irish, the clans, the oppressions, the fights, imprisonment? The film creating the feel of Ireland?

10. The attitude towards the English and their occupation, hard, cruel, exploitation?

11. A satisfying blend of swashbuckling adventure, history and romance?