The above reviewer made the exact points that I would make. Roddy McDowall was a natural for David Balfour, but the addition of a love interest spoiled the plot. They did the same thing in the 1938 version, only the love interest was for Warner Baxter's Alan Breck.
The only version of this tale to stick to the real Stevenson plot was the 1960 Disney version.
Also, I agree that Dan O'Herlihy made Alan Breck too genteel and dainty. Peter Finch fit the character. If only we could pluck Roddy McDowall out of 1948 and drop him down into 1960 to replace James MacArthur in the Disney version! --- Stan
The only version of this tale to stick to the real Stevenson plot was the 1960 Disney version.
Also, I agree that Dan O'Herlihy made Alan Breck too genteel and dainty. Peter Finch fit the character. If only we could pluck Roddy McDowall out of 1948 and drop him down into 1960 to replace James MacArthur in the Disney version! --- Stan