Plunkett & Macleane (1999)

Two robbers are persecuted by the law, whose servants are not much better and even worse.

Director:

Jake Scott

Writers:

Selwyn Roberts (earlier screenplay), Robert Wade (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller, Iain Robertson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jonny Lee Miller	...	Macleane
Iain Robertson	...	Highwayman Rob
Robert Carlyle	...	Plunkett
Ken Stott	...	Chance
Tommy Flanagan	...	Eddie
Stephen Walters	...	Dennis
James Thornton	...	Catchpole
Terence Rigby	...	Harrison
Christian Camargo	...	Lord Pelham
Karel Polisenský	...	Newgate Priest
Neve McIntosh	...	Liz
Matt Lucas	...	Sir Oswald
David Walliams	...	Viscount Bilston
David Foxxe	...	Lord Ketch
Jake Gavin	...	Newgate Gent

Storyline

Will Plunkett and Captain James Macleane, two men from different ends of the social spectrum in 18th-century England, enter a gentlemen's agreement: They decide to rid the aristocrats of their belongings. With Plunkett's criminal know-how and Macleane's social connections, they team up to be soon known as "The Gentlemen Highwaymen". But when one day these gentlemen hold up Lord Chief Justice Gibson's coach, Macleane instantly falls in love with his beautiful and cunning niece, Lady Rebecca Gibson. Unfortunately, Thief Taker General Chance, who also is quite fond of Rebecca, is getting closer and closer to getting both: The Gentlemen Highwaymen and Rebecca, who, needless to say, don't want to get any closer to him. But Plunkett still has a thing to sort out with Chance, and his impulsiveness gets all of them in a little trouble.

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Plot Keywords:

18th century | highwayman | georgian era | absinthe | social satire | 

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Taglines:

They rob from the rich ... and just keep it. [USA DVD Cover]

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong violence, sexuality and language

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 April 1999 (UK)

Also Known As:

Rob the Rich

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£760,281 (United Kingdom), 4 April 1999, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$244,765, 3 October 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$474,900, 31 October 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arts Council of England,PolyGram Filmed Entertainment,Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The two aristocrats introduced to Plunkett and Macleane by Rochester are called Dixon and Winterburn. These are the names of two players - Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn - for the English football team Arsenal during the late 1980's / early 1990's and part of Arsenal's famous "back four."

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Goofs

While there was an Earl of Rochester extant in 1748, he would have been 76 years old, and was certainly not known as a bisexual profligate. The character seems to be based upon John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester who lived during the reign of Charles II and died in 1680.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Judge Beresteade: Captain James Macleane, for drunkenness, unruly behavior, causing an affray and disturbing the King's, I hereby sentence you to be placed in the Knightsbridge debtors' jail and to be held there until you are sober. Take him away.

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Crazy Credits

The person in charge of overseeing the duel between Chance and Plunkett is listed as the "Dual Referee".

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Connections

References Batman & Robin (1997)

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Soundtracks

No 9
Written by Craig Armstrong, Marius De Vries
Performed by Craig Armstrong

User Reviews

Surprisingly good action/comedy with nice use of music

** HERE BE SPOILERS **

Recap: Macleane (Miller) witnesses a robbery by Plunkett (Carlyle) that goes wrong. Plunkett's partner get shot (and killed) but not until after he has swallowed a great ruby. Plunkett and Macleane then meet at the cemetery when both try to get hold of the ruby. Unfortunately they are caught as grave robbers and sent to jail, but not until Plunkett has swallowed the ruby. The ruby is their key to freedom, and once they're free, they form a partnership in robbery. Macleane is to pose as a gentleman and find out who is worth robbing, and then simply they rob him (and rob them in style). But Macleane falls in love with the niece/daughter (?) of their first victim, lady Rebecca Gibson (Tyler). And a Mr Chance (Stott) is out to catch them, and his methods are not very nice...

Comments: A good action flavoured by comedy and adventure. Carlyle and Miller form a good team, with a lot of friction and friendship. And then there is the relationship between Macleane and Rebecca Gibson. The scene with the ball is very good, especially the (anachronistic) use of the music. In addition to these interesting characters Cumming play the best of them all, Lord Rochester. Both the character and the acting are stellar and among the best in the movie. In total, the movie works very well, a nice balance between story and special effects, action and comedy. Very entertaining.

8/10