High Drama In The Highlands (Rob Roy (DVD))

Member Name: kenjohn

Product:	Rob Roy (DVD)
Date:	29/12/06 (480 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good casting. Excellent performances. Stunning scenery.

Disadvantages: Perhaps a wee bit drawn out at 133 minutes.

FILM REVIEW ONLY
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~ ~ Rob Roy MacGregor is a legendary figure in Scottish history, immortalised forever in the famous novel of the same name by Sir Walter Scott published in 1817. Scott’s novel is probably the main reason he’s a legendary figure in Scottish history, as in reality he was a simply a clan chief from around Stirling, (the old Scot’s capital) who supported the cause of the Stuarts (Jacobites) in the 1715 rising against the Crown, and who had a penchant for cattle rustling and general mischief making.

~ ~ Mind you, viewing the 1995 movie “Rob Roy” by Scots director Michael Caton-Jones, with the brilliant Irish actor Liam Neeson in the title role, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Rob Roy MacGregor was a major historical figure. Never let it be said that reality should spoil a good Hollywood blockbuster!

~ ~ This movie had the misfortune to be released in 1995, the same year that another epic historical drama about Scotland called “Braveheart” was also released. Of course, Braveheart went on to practically sweep the boards at the Oscars in 1996, winning both best picture and best director. (Mel Gibson) As a consequence “Rob Roy” languished in relative obscurity, never really getting the recognition it might otherwise have achieved, although actor Tim Roth was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role as the villainous Archibald Cunningham and actually won a BAFTA for the part.

~ ~ So what’s the movie about?
Simple enough. It tells the tale of how Rob Roy MacGregor borrows £1,000 (a massive sum of money in the early 1700’s) from the local bigwig, the Marquis of Montrose, in order to purchase cattle which he intends driving to market in Carlisle in northern England in order to turn a tidy profit. Skulduggery is afoot however, and the money goes missing thanks to the devious ploys and machinations of the evil Archibald Cunningham and the Marquis of Montrose’s corrupt factor Killearn, played with great style and aplomb by the veteran Scots actor Brian Cox.
Rob Roy has to take to the hills with his brother and clansman to avoid bloody retribution from the Marquis. Seemingly in feudal Scotland it was OK to thieve cattle and carry out other various minor criminal enterprises, but if you fell foul of the Laird then you were in BIG trouble. The womenfolk and children are left at home to mind the crofts, but the Marquis’s men come a calling, and Archie Cunningham has never heard of chivalry! Rob’s wife Mary suffers the brunt of his anger (amongst other things!) when he can’t lay hands on the slippery and elusive man of the house.
Of course, honour has now entered the equation, and Rob Roy must avenge the wrong he has suffered at the hands of the Marquis and his evil henchmen.

~ ~ The plot is not that adventurous, simply the age-old tale of good versus evil. But it is skilfully crafted by the Scot’s director Michael Caton-Jones, who by dint of his Scottish heritage obviously had a feel for the country, its history, and its people. This is best reflected in the marvellous camera work which makes full use of the magnificent backdrop of the Scottish Highlands and countryside. Of course, with scenery like this as your stage then it would be hard to do much wrong!
The plot itself is to a certain extent based on a true story, as Rob Roy’s falling out with the Marquis of Montrose, who was previous to this episode in history both his mentor and friend, is a well documented historical fact. Naturally, it has been embellished somewhat to make for good cinema, but that’s OK!

~ ~ The casting is just right. Mary MacGregor, Rob’s wife, is played to perfection by American actress Jessica Lange, who even at the age of 46 when this movie was made, still manages to give some of the younger starlets a run for their money when it comes to looking great. Liam Neeson is convincing in the lead role, and truly makes it his own. The interplay between herself and Liam Neeson is one of the high spots of the movie. Strange mind you that in two blockbuster movies about Scottish folk heroes made in the same year (Braveheart and Rob Roy) the leading roles were played by an Australian (Mel Gibson) and an Irishman. (Liam Neeson) I suppose that in real life us Scots simply aren’t heroic enough, although it has to be said that in both cases the aforementioned actors did very well in replicating the Scottish accent, which is no easy task!
The supporting cast were also excellent. Tim Roth as the villainous and foppish Archie Cunningham totally steals the show, hence I suppose his nomination for an Oscar as best supporting actor and his BAFTA award. The Marquis of Montrose is played with his usual style and aplomb by the superb English actor John Hurt, who as a youngster trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His training shines through in every role he takes on!

~ ~ As I said earlier, Rob Roy suffered greatly as a consequence of being released at the same time as Braveheart. It doesn’t have the same epic sweep as the Gibson movie, and, of course, the gory and realistic battle scenes in Braveheart simply leave any of the action scenes in Rob Roy for dead! But I think that Rob Roy is probably more authentic in capturing the mood of Scottish politics and life during feudal times, when the ordinary people lived lives of unmitigated drudgery and deprivation, and existed merely on the whim and patronage of the local Laird or Lord. Some of the sword fighting scenes aren’t half bad either!

~ ~ I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, which I came across by accident on Sky Movies whilst browsing for something worthwhile to watch over the Christmas holiday. I’d watched it before when it was first released, but now intend adding it to my DVD collection at the earliest opportunity. It’s currently on sale at Amazon in the UK at £5.97 (new) or from £4.98 (used) from Amazon marketplace.
Recommended viewing.

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Running time: 133 minutes.

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© KenJ December 2006

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Summary: Good period drama with strong individual acting performances.