Rob Roy (1995)

In 1713 Scotland, Rob Roy MacGregor is wronged by a nobleman and his nephew, becomes an outlaw in search of revenge while fleeing the Redcoats, and faces charges of being a Jacobite.

Director:

Michael Caton-Jones

Writer:

Alan Sharp (screenplay)

Stars:

Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Liam Neeson	...	Rob Roy
Jessica Lange	...	Mary
John Hurt	...	Montrose
Tim Roth	...	Cunningham
Eric Stoltz	...	McDonald
Andrew Keir	...	Argyll
Brian Cox	...	Killearn
Brian McCardie	...	Alasdair
Gilbert Martin	...	Guthrie
Vicki Masson	...	Betty
Gilly Gilchrist	...	Iain
Jason Flemyng	...	Gregor
Ewan Stewart	...	Coll
David Hayman	...	Sibbald
Brian McArthur	...	Ranald

Storyline

In the highlands of Scotland in the 1700s, Rob Roy tries to lead his small town to a better future, by borrowing money from the local nobility to buy cattle to herd to market. When the money is stolen, Rob is forced into a Robin Hood lifestyle to defend his family and honor.

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Plot Keywords:

scotland | highlands | 18th century | flintlock pistol | flintlock rifle | 

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Taglines:

Honor made him a man. Courage made him a hero. History made him a Legend

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Duke of Argyll was first offered to Sir Sean Connery.

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Goofs

Burning objects on lake shore appear, disappear, change location, and change size.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Title Card: At the dawn of the 1700's, famine, disease and the greed of great Noblemen were changing Scotland forever. With many emigrating to the Americas, the centuries-old Clan system was slowly being extinguished. This story symbolises the attempt of the individual to withstand these processes and, even in defeat, retain respect and honour.

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Alternate Versions

Three seconds were cut from the UK cinema version to receive a 15 certificate, with a further 21 seconds removed from the video version. All the cuts were made to edit the rape scene. This version was released on DVD all over Europe as MGM mastered only one DVD for the entire region. In 2012, all previous cuts were waived by the BBFC for the 15 certificate Blu-ray release.

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Connections

Referenced in The Trip (2010)

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Soundtracks

Blunt Reels
Composed and Performed by Capercaillie
Capercaillie appears courtesy of Survival Records Ltd

User Reviews

Do not think that all sins go unpunished in this life, Montrose.

Rob Roy is directed by Michael Caton-Jones and written by Alan Sharp. It stars Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Eric Stoltz, Andrew Keir and Brian Cox. Music is by Carter Burwell and cinematography by Karl Walter Lindenlaub.

Neeson is Rob Roy MacGregor, an 18th Century Scottish historical figure who borrows £1,000 from the Marquis of Montrose (Hurt) with the plan to improve his clan's way of life. But the money is stolen in transit by the dastardly Archibald Cunnigham (Roth), so unable to repay the loan, Roy is forced to live as an outlaw. From such seeds are legends born.

Beautifully shot on location in parts of the Scottish Highlands, Rob Roy somewhat got lost in the slip stream of Mel Gibson's Braveheart. A shame, for although not as epic or as rousing as Gibson's Oscar grabber, Caton-Jones' film is a different and more reflective type of historical piece. Thematically the film is a play on virtues, in fact it's a trumpet playing fanfare for such. Honesty, honour, loyalty, fidelity and love nestle in nicely with the wonderful landscapes, born out by Sharp's intelligent script. But that's not to say that the director hasn't got the requisite thrust of stirring adventure within, he has, and Rob Roy rewards in that department as well. The films crowning glory is a climatic sword fight, no tricks or hard to believe heroics, just an expertly shot long sequence that's choreographed sublimely by William Hobbs and Robert G. Goodwin. While Carter Burwell's score sits nice with the visual treats - even if the Gaelic strains within the orchestration sound more Irish than Scottish...

Cast work well. Although Neeson looks the part as the robust Roy, there's no need for being dashing here, character calls for strength of mind and body, as well as emotional fortitude with the love of his family, and thus Neeson plays it with ease. Lange, an interesting casting choice as the missus, shorn of make up, yet still naturally sexy, she gives Mary MacGregor believable strength. However, it's undeniably Tim Roth's movie, part effeminate fop, part calculating bastard, his villainous turn as Archibald Cunningham has to be seen to be believed. He was rightly nominated for an Academy Award for his efforts. The rest impact well, Cox and Hurt, great pros as always, and Stoltz too isn't found wanting. There's some iffy accents at times, so what's new there? And if I'm to be churlish, then it often feels wrong in period. Yet they are small complaints in what is otherwise a smart and lovely splinter from the swashbuckling tree. 8/10

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 April 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rob Roy

Filming Locations:

Caig Falls Bridge, Loch Arkaig, Highland, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,023,272, 9 April 1995

Gross USA:

$31,596,911

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$31,596,911

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists, Talisman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

139 min

Sound Mix:

DTS DTS-Stereo Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1