ROB ROY, THE HIGHLAND ROGUE
UK,1953, 81 minutes, Colour.
Richard Todd, Glynnis Johns, James Robertson Justice, Michael Gough, Finlay Currie, Jean Taylor Smith, Geoffrey Keen, Marjorie Fielding, Eric Pohlmann, Michael Goodliffe.
Directed by Harold French.
In the first half of the 1950s, the Disney studios made several historical films in England. There was a story of Henry VIII, The Sword and the Rose, Robin Hood and his Merrie Men, and Rob Roy. They all starred the popular actor of the time, Richard Todd. Glynnis Johns appeared with him in both The Sword and the Rose and Rob Roy. James Robertson Justice also starred in them.
This is the slightest of them, 81 minutes, but taking audiences back into Scotland at the beginning of the 18th century, the domination of the English, the rebellious attitudes of the Scots, with leaders of the clans like Rob Roy Mac Gregor.
The various battles, sword fights, derring-to, as well as romance with Rob himself and his love for Helen Mary his wife engage the audience. James Robertson Justice is the Duke of Argyll.
This is a kind of matinee adventure. There is a much more serious look at Rob Roy, in the film of the same name, 1995, with Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange, with John Hurt and Oscar-nominated Tim Roth and is the more satisfying.
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1. The history and legends of Rob Roy? The novel of Sir Walter Scott? Disney interpretation? Serious, adventurous?
2. A brief film, colourful, Scotland, locations, the Highlands, homes, castles? The sequences in London? The musical score?
3. Soldiers, the clans, the battles, swordfights?
4. History, accuracy, the Mac Gregor’s, the Duke of Montrose, the Duke of Argyll, the Duke of Montrose’s Factor, King George, Prime Minister Walpole, Rob Roy and his family?
5. Richard Todd as Rob, a hero, his age, warrior, the support of his mother, the support of the Mac Pherson’s, his love for Helen Mary, with his men, appearing and disappearing? With the Duke of Argyll, the fighting, his being taken, escape? His hopes and connections? Loyalties? Sheltered by his mother, the effect of the death of his mother? With the English, the Scots, in the hope of the return of the Stuarts?
6. The Duke of Argyll, his role, in relationship to England, the independence of Scotland, the return of the Stuarts? His role with England, the Prime Minister? Interactions with Rob, respect for his mother, with the Duke of Montrose? The visit to Walpole, to the King? Hoping for an amnesty?
7. Montrose, the English background, his role, arrogance, despising the Scots? Interactions with Rob Roy? The King, the Prime Minister, confronting Rob
Roy?
8. Helen Mary, as a character, strong, her love for her husband, support? The threats? Rob Roy’s mother, strong, hiding her son, the Duke of Argyll, the confrontations, her death?
9. The Factor, with the Scots, with the English, double-dealing?
10. London, the King, speaking German, the translators? His decisions? Walpole, the politics? The generals and their wanting large forces of soldiers in Scotland? The portrayal of the battles, the putting down of the Scots?
11. In the light of Scottish history in succeeding centuries?
