ROB ROY
UK/US, 1995, 139 minutes, Colour.
Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Eric Stoltz, Andrew Keir, Brian Cox, Brian Mc Ardle, Jason Flemyng, David Heyman, Shirley Henderson.
Directed by Michael Caton- Jones.
Rob Roy was made by Disney in the 1950s with Richard Todd as the Scottish hero, a ‘highland rogue’. It was something of a romp, a spectacle, the picture of a Scottish leader.
Half a century later, the material is treated far more seriously. It is a recounting of history in Scotland at the beginning of the 18th century, a drama focusing on Rob Roy Mac Gregor, his leadership, his relationship with his wife, Mary, the treatment by the English overlords, the possibilities of rebellion.
The film is impressive to look at with its Highland location scenery, the poverty of the huts and hovels, the wealth and interiors of the palaces. The cast is very strong, Liam Neeson, just after his portrayal of Oscar Schindler, brings great strength and dignity to his performance as Rob Roy. Jessica Lange is also strong as his wife. Portraying the British are John Hurt, always competent, in his portraying the Duke of Montrose, superior, foppish, ruthless, disliking the Scots. But it was Tim Roth who received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his role as the completely dislikeable Archibald Cunningham. Significant in the supporting cast are Eric Stoltz as the young man with ambitions to go to America, Andrew Keir as the Duke of Argyll and, especially, Brian Cox as the treacherous factor.
Audiences will find the social and personal drama very interesting, as well as this dramatisation of a significant period in Scottish history.
1. Scottish history, the 18th century? The film is drama, history, spectacle? The particular emphases?
2. The location photography, the Highlands and countryside, the castles, the huts and hovels? Interiors, wealthy, poor? The contrasts? The musical score?
3. Scotland in that period, the hope for the Stuarts to return, possibilities of rebellion? The dominance of England? Exploitation? The impact of the English presence, government? The prospect of migration to America?
4. The clans, their pride and traditions? Dealing with the English? Rebellion?
5. Liam Neeson as Rob Roy, strong, a leader, love for Mary, his children? His plans? Borrowing money, buying cattle, the land? His dealings with the Duke of Argyll? The borrowing from Montrose? His knowledge of cattle? The importance of being a man of his word?
6. Rob and his followers, the pursuit of the cattle thieves, dealing with them? The warnings? In the inn, the challenge and mockery, the fight, the death, people afraid?
7. Montrose, British, foppish, ruthless? Interactions with the Duke of Argyll, polite, hostile? The bets for the fight? Argyll and the possibility of rebellion? At the end, the fight, the bet and loss?
8. Tim Roth as Cunningham, his background, the bastard, the chip on his shoulder? His skill at swordplay, ruthless, with women, his treatment of Betty and dismissing her? His clothes and debts? With the factor? The pressure on Mc Donald, the attack, the robbery, with Mc Donald’s death, burying him in the
water?
9. Mc Donald, following Rob, friendship and loyalty, the plan to go to America? The experience of the loan, waiting all day for the factor, having to agree to take cash, the fearful journey, the attack, his death and burial?
10. The factor, his status, with Montrose, with Cunningham, taking all day to sign the document, persuading Mc Donald to take cash? Participating in the robbery? With Cunningham, the attack, witnessing the rape of Mary? The final confrontation and his death?
11. The clan and members, their fighting, Cunningham and his violent attack, the fights?
12. Cunningham as a character, ingratiating himself with Montrose, Montrose suspicious of him? Leading battle, the fights, the confrontation with Mary, the rape, the consequences? His capturing Rob, dragging him to Montrose?
13. Rob’s brother, rash, wanting to attack, standing up, shot, having to flee, his death? Mary asking him not to reveal the truth about the rape?
14. Mary, a strong woman, her relationship with Rob, with her children? Betty’s visit, talk, her death? The rape, keeping it quiet? Rob learning about it, talking, the end and her pregnancy, his comment to the children about having another brother or sister? Her going to the Duke of Argyll, pleading Rob’s cause, the issue of rebellion?
15. Rob, challenging Cunningham? Montrose and Argyll and their conversations? Cunningham as a foppish figure, taking off his wig, his skill in swordsmanship, the cuts to Rob? Rob and the big sword, being cut, persevering, falling, holding Cunningham’s sword, killing him?
16. Rob Roy as a national hero, Sir Walter Scott’s novel, the Disney film? His place in Scottish 18th century history? And in the light of Scotland’s later history and moves for independence?
