The Master of Ballantrae (1953)

Two noble Scottish brothers deliberately take opposite sides when Bonnie Prince Charlie returns to claim the throne of Scotland in order to preserve the family fortune.

Director:

William Keighley

Writers:

Herb Meadow (screenplay), Harold Medford (additional dialogue),

Stars:

Errol Flynn, Roger Livesey, Anthony Steel

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Errol Flynn	...	Jamie Durie
Roger Livesey	...	Col. Francis Burke
Anthony Steel	...	Henry Durie
Beatrice Campbell	...	Lady Alison
Yvonne Furneaux	...	Jessie Brown
Felix Aylmer	...	Lord Durrisdeer
Mervyn Johns	...	MacKellar
Charles Goldner	...	Mendoza
Ralph Truman	...	Maj. Clarendon
Francis De Wolff	...	Matthew Bull (as Francis de Wolff)
Jacques Berthier	...	Capt. Arnaud

Storyline

Buckle on your swashes for this swashbuckling adventure with a highlander who fought for Bonnie Prince Charlie who, after various escapades, becomes a pirate.

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Plot Keywords:

bonnie prince charlie | pirate | scotland | irishman | coin toss | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 August 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Robert Louis Stevenson's The Master of Ballantrae

Filming Locations:

Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, Highland, Scotland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

For spectacular (but brief) scenes depicting the 1745 rebellion, this film used stock footage from the disastrously unsuccessful David Niven film, Bonnie Prince Charlie, released only a few years earlier; Niven can actually be seen for a moment in one shot, albeit with his back to the camera.

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Goofs

As Arnaud's ship approaches land the lookout shouts "Land on the starboard bow!" (ie to the right) yet he is pointing to the port side (ie left). A cut to the deck shows Capt Arnaud training his telescope to port instead of starboard.

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Quotes

Col. Francis Burke: We need money! It's blood for our veins! It's air for the lungs of us!

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Connections

Featured in The Adventures of Errol Flynn (2005)

User Reviews

Excellent late Flynn

Flynn, though pickled and clearly the worse for wear, gives a fine performance here. In fact, his haggard features compliment his role as a defeated war veteran. You`ll see little of the humour and athletic prowess of Flynn`s early movies, but it`s a grand experience none the less. The supporting cast are fine, especially Livesy. But the leading lady is not up to Flynn`s standard. Olivia should have made a comeback for this one. That said, Flynn does engage in some obviously stunt-doubled sword play. However, he is neither as humorous, mischevious or as boyish as he was before. 8/10