In Scotland in 1751, young David Balfour is shanghaied aboard a ship where he meets Jacobite rebel Alan Breck Stewart with whom he escapes to the Scottish Highlands, dodging the redcoats.
Check out some the surprise hits of 2021 that caught the attention of IMDb fans and are all available to stream now.
Related News
-
Mindy Newell Is Jus’ Ramblin’ On
22 September 2014 | Comicmix -
Eight-Time Best Actor Academy Award Nominee O'Toole Dead at 81
15 December 2013 | Alt Film Guide -
Peter O'Toole Passes Away at Age 81
15 December 2013 | MovieWeb
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Kidnapped (1959)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Peter Finch | ... | Alan Breck Stewart | |
| James MacArthur | ... | David Balfour | |
| Bernard Lee | ... | Captain Hoseason | |
| John Laurie | ... | Ebenezer Balfour | |
| Niall MacGinnis | ... | Mr. Shuan | |
| Finlay Currie | ... | Cluny MacPherson | |
| Miles Malleson | ... | Mr. Rankeillor | |
| Duncan Macrae | ... | The Highlander | |
 |
Andrew Cruickshank | ... | Colin Campbell |
| Peter O'Toole | ... | Robin MacGregor | |
| Alex Mackenzie | ... | The Ferryman | |
| Oliver Johnston | ... | Mr. Campbell | |
|
|
Norman MacOwan | ... | Tinker |
|
|
Eileen Way | ... | Jennet Clouston |
|
|
Jack Stewart | ... | Landlord |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (23) »
Storyline
Kidnapped and cheated out of his inheritance, young David Balfour falls in with a Jacobite adventurer, Alan Breck Stewart. Falsely accused of murder, they must flee across the Highlands, evading the redcoats. Written by Cleo <frede005@maroon.tc.umn.edu>
Plot Keywords:
scottish highlands | homosexual subtext | briton | friendship | held at swordpoint |Taglines:
SWASHBUCKLING ADVENTURE! FLASHING SWORDS AND RAGING SEAS...as soldiers of fortune fight for their lives! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
Alan Breck Stewart: [when Robin MacGregor starts to play the pipes] Enough. You can play the pipes. Make the most of that.
[MacGregor smiles and continues playing]
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Released in the United States as a double bill with "Breakout" (1959). See more »Goofs
In the 18th Century, the letter 'S' looked like a long lowercase 'F', but the signage does not reflect this. See more »Quotes
Robin MacGregor: [after Alan Breck Stewart has taken his turn to play the pipes] It's the God's truth. You're a creditable piper - for a Stewart.Alan Breck Stewart: [when Robin MacGregor starts to play the pipes] Enough. You can play the pipes. Make the most of that.
[MacGregor smiles and continues playing]
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
24 February 1960 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Robert Louis Stevenson, born in Scotland in 1850 and sick with tuberculosis most of his adult life, was one prolific author of books of travel and adventure that are read and enjoyed even today. The imagery he creates in his books is so vivid that cinematic adaption is real easy. In fact this version of Kidnapped won high praise in the British Isles for being remarkably faithful to the book.
The story was also filmed on location in Scotland lending a real authenticity to the story. A whole slew of Scots players got work in this one and Australian Peter Finch and American James MacArthur fit right in with them.
Impossible for me to believe, but this Walt Disney film did not do as good in America as in Europe. I suppose it was both the accents and the knowledge of the political situation in Scotland post the rising in 1745 that Americans did not appreciate or were ignorant of. This American certainly did.
Young David Balfour the heir to the manor of Shores has one big problem collecting his inheritance, the presence of his uncle who is the reigning laird. Uncle Ebenezer who is deliciously played by John Laurie arranges a snatch by a sea captain friend of his and David (James MacArthur) is to be sent to the Carolinas in the American colonies as an indentured servant.
On the boat young David whose politics and heritage make him a supporter of the Hanoverian George II who is the reigning King of Great Britain finds himself having to make common cause with Scottish soldier of fortune Alan Breck Stewart who is played by Peter Finch and boasts proudly of bearing the name of the true House that ought to be running things. He's a Jacobite, a supporter of the claim of James III, who is exiled in France and who fought at Culloden with Bonnie Prince Charlie.
These unlikely allies affect an escape from the ship and make their way back to the House of Shores to set things right. Being a Jacobite and by dint of that, a traitor in Hanoverian eyes makes it all the more dangerous for both of them.
James MacArthur, son of playwright Charles MacArthur and Helen Hayes, was a young Disney star during that period, doing a whole bunch of roles for Disney on the small and big screen. Peter Finch makes his second and last appearance in a Disney film, he was memorable as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Disney's Robin Hood film. They have a good easy chemistry between them and if it were not so the film wouldn't have worked at all.
Three other players of note here are Bernard Lee as the sea captain who kidnaps Balfour, Finlay Currie as a fellow Jacobite clan leader who gives Finch and MacArthur shelter, and Peter O'Toole who bests Finch in a bagpipe playing contest.
Robert Louis Stevenson died in Tahiti in 1894, but in his short life left us a remarkable output of literature like Treasure Island, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Master of Ballantrae, and so much more. Though he went to the South Seas for health reasons and a love of adventure, if that can be combined in one individual, his love of Scotland was never shown better than in Kidnapped and in this classic adaption of that story.