Stone of Destiny (2008)

The story of Ian Hamilton, a dedicated nationalist who reignited Scottish national pride in the 1950s with his daring raid on the heart of England to bring the Stone of Scone back to Scotland.

Director:

Charles Martin Smith

Writers:

Ian Hamilton (book), Charles Martin Smith

Stars:

Charlie Cox, Kate Mara, Stephen McCole

3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlie Cox	...	Ian Hamilton
Kate Mara	...	Kay Matheson
Stephen McCole	...	Gavin Vernon
Ciaron Kelly	...	Alan Stuart
Billy Boyd	...	Bill Craig
Robert Carlyle	...	John MacCormick
Peter Mullan	...	Ian's Father
Brenda Fricker	...	Mrs. McQuarry
Juliet Cadzow	...	Ian's Mother
Alex Donald	...	London Policeman
John Comerford	...	Pub Landlord
Richard Addison	...	Tour Guide
Danielle Stewart	...	Brochure Girl
Suzanne Dance	...	Church Woman
Pauline King	...	Jen

Storyline

The Stone of Destiny retells the fascinating and true story of four young Glaswegian students who, in 1951, outwitted the British authorities in their successful attempt to take back the Stone of Scone - a beloved symbol of Scottish pride, back to its country of origin.

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Plot Keywords:

stone | car | scotland | 1950s | student | 

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Taglines:

They didn't grab their destiny. They lifted it.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some incidental smoking

Details

Country:

Canada UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 December 2008 (UK)

Also Known As:

Die Jagd nach dem Stein des Schicksals

Filming Locations:

Arbroath, Angus, Scotland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Infinity Features Entertainment, Mob Film Company, The, Alliance Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ian Hamilton:  sour-faced English businessman who passes Ian Hamilton and Gavin Vernon as they get out of the car shortly before their first attempt to remove the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey (36 minutes).

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Goofs

The statues in the niches above the door are modern - the niches having been empty since the middle ages - and among the martyrs is Martin Luther King Jr., who was very much alive in 1950. There is a sign next to the entrance to the West gate which explains the statues were unveiled by the Queen in 1998 so they certainly weren't there when the heist took place.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ian Hamilton: It was only a rock, a big lump of sandstone, you might pass right by it, but to us, it was symbol of our freedom, of our independence. We all knew about it of course, we learned as children how it was the Scottish stone of kings, but they took it from us. And as a nation is suppose we'd forgotten about it. Time does that. It was history.

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Soundtracks

"Tae the Battle"
Written by Tony Walker & Paul McKenzie
Performed by The Real McKenzies
Published by Tony Walker & Paul McKenzie
Courtesy of Sudden Death Records

User Reviews

Thoroughly enjoyable

I just saw Stone of Destiny at its world premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival. The stars and director were in attendance as well as Ian Hamilton and Alan Stuart themselves.

I enjoyed this film very much. It's got humour and heart and characters that you can really get behind. You really want to see them succeed. It's also hard not to feel a swell of patriotism come the end -if you're a Scot. Otherwise you'll still get a warm feeling inside The cast are likable and their performances are good - although Charlie Cox and Kate Mara's accents weren't entirely convincing they both put in winning performances. The supporting cast are also good value with Stephen McCole making a very personable member of the team. Billy Boyd and Robert Carlyle do well with slightly limited roles.

There are a few niggles - like the aforementioned accents - and some suspiciously green looking trees given that its set in winter, but these are minor. I can see this doing very well when it is put on general release, and that success will be deserved.