Directed by: Delbert Mann

When young soldier David Balfour (Lawrence Douglas) arrives to his uncle's bleak Scottish house to claim his inheritance his relative first tries to murder him, then has him shipped off to be sold as a slave in the colonies. Fortunately for David he strikes up a friendship with Alan Breck (Michael Caine) and together they manage to escape. On arriving back in England, they set out for Edinburgh dodging the ruthless Redcoats to claim David's rightful inheritance. An adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel.


viewer's comments:


- The plot involves a young man accidentally caught up in the political events in Scotland following the Battle of Culloden.
The plot revolves around a young man who is betrayed by his uncle and is kidnapped for service aboard a ship. The ship is headed for America where he will be sold into slavery. On board the ship, he is befriended by Alan Breck, a rebel Scotsman. The ship is wrecked off the coast of Scotland and Balfour (the young man) and Breck (played by Michael Caine) are forced to seek aid from some of Breck's relatives. The English are still combing the countryside in search of clansmen and rebels. The two become involved in the murder of a local Scot who was working for the British. They must then elude the British while making their way to Edinburgh. Balfour to confront his uncle and Breck to hire a ship for his escape to France. This movie is nothing but high adventure! Michael Caine plays the role with the same flair and style that he always brings to the screen. He portrays a man who is a true patriot yet he must face the realization that the Clans have now been effectively destroyed by the British--the Scotland he loved and fought for no longer exists. This is high adventure at its best! It is also a moving, poignant story of a culture in its death throes.It is a magnificent, heroic movie. I loved it! Hope it is soon released on DVD!!


Credited cast:
Michael Caine .... Alan Breck
Trevor Howard .... Lord Advocate Grant
Jack Hawkins .... Captain Hoseason
Donald Pleasence .... Ebenezer Balfour
Gordon Jackson .... Charles Stewart
Vivien Heilbron .... Catriona
Lawrence Douglas .... David Balfour
Freddie Jones .... Cluny
Andrew McCulloch .... Andrew
Eric Woodburn .... Doctor
rest of cast listed alphabetically
Roger Booth .... Duke of Cumberland
Peter Jeffrey .... Riach
Claire Nielson .... Barbara Grant
Terry Richards .... Mungo Campbell
Russell Waters .... Lord Advocate's Secretary
Jack Watson .... James Stewart
Geoffrey Whitehead .... Lt. Duncansby



Runtime: 102 min
Country: UK
Language: English
Color: Color