Customer Reviews

Robert Louis Stevensons's: Kidnapped

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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The first adult novel I read was "Kidnapped," when I received it for my 9th birthday. I had a tough time with many of the words, but no one would help me; they would always say: "Look it up. That's how you learn."

Well, I did learn to love Stevenson's work and similar adventure tales; but, the reason I gave this adapted version of Stevenson's work four stars is the acting. I withhold one star for the deep changes to the original story that have already discussed here by other reviewers.

The entire cast did an excellent job, but the work of Iain Glen, and especially of James Anthony Pearson, is something to write home about.

Pearson's facial expressions alone are worth the price of admission, or, more accurately, the price of the DVD.

Take a look at the brief flash of realization on this young actors face, when he tells the weaver that he thought she was a witch, and then he realizes that it was the wrong thing to say.

Better still, watch Pearson/Davie's face in the background as Alan Breck and James-of-the-Glen have a heated discussion, which ends when James's daughter asks Pearson/Davie if he likes smelling like a goat.

This young Pearson, has that special acting talent which allows him to manipulate his face so that it speaks volumes, without a word being said. One is reminded of the remarkable eyebrows of Jack Nicholson and Christian Slater, among other great actors.

Okay, okay. I admit it. I have never read Kidnapped. Thats probably why I enjoyed this so much. I thought the cast was fantastic, the locations were great, and the direction wasn't half bad. I did read the reviews and they are probably right, but since I didn't read Steven's book I wasn't bothered by anything left out or messed up(Obviously). So in conclusion if you want a good fun film from PBS buy this. IF you are a fan of the book you should probably burn this thing(Judging on the other reviews), or, like me, you could enjoy a good old adventure tale....

I have not read the book "Kidnapped" so I don't know if this movie keeps to the story line. But even if it doesn't this is a great adventure movie. It keeps your interest, it's decent, no bad language, no nudity, or sexual content (that's one in a million).
The actors all do a great job in the roles they play. Especially Iain Glenn, who plays the proud scottsman who loves his blue coat, who also played Mr. Preston in "Wives and Daughters."

We loved watching this movie! It is a great adaptation of Steven's story Kidnapped. The acting is fabulous! I loved the accents and the beautiful places it was filmed in Scotland. It was exciting and had some sweetness to it too - yes a happy ending. I am surprised that this has not become one of the most popular movies and considered a classic. Maybe it is just too good for that...

Now, as some other reviewers have said, I have not read R L Stevenson's original work, but taken aside from the book, this is a great adventure movie!

The acting is great, from James Pearson, who plays Davie, on down to Ransome the unfortunate cabin boy (Jake Lindesay) and the old "Weaver Woman" (Ginette McDonald).

I've read various opinions as to whether or not it was actually filmed in Scotland, and can't say myself, but the scenery was beautiful, regardless. The sets, also, are well done.

We go through quite a few well-done suspenseful moments in the plot, and the camera work is masterful throughout- working very well with the acting and other components to add to the mood. I particularly noticed very good and carefully angled close ups at tense moments, and a couple unusual but effective view points.

Also, no bad language or adult scenes, which is a big [RARE] plus.

~ The only negative points I have:
3-4 times I noticed a strong change in the lighting from one shot to another in the same scene. This was rather distracting.

And more negatively, the ending seemed a little too happily-ever-after sweet. Everything worked out. Not too realistic. But I admit, I liked it that way! _ This is one adventure movie my family plans to see again.

Don't be fooled by the lack of big stars in this production! This is a superbly played piece, shot on location in Scotland. The team have brilliantly struck a fine balance in respect of the original book, in the sense of remaining faithful to the spirit of the masterpiece without slavishly adhering to the literary manuscript. The result is fast-paced but also convincing.
The characters are multi-faceted and there are plenty of opportunities for the viewer to become absorbed in the plot around the people - not just the action. As a result, the final scene is one of the most moving and telling that I can remember in any drama - period!(and I watch a lot of opera, by the way!)
From the cast we must mention Iain Glen, who delivers an admirable Alan Breck (head and shoulders over Michael Caine, and more visceral than David McCallum). Gregor Fisher as James of the Glens delivers his best serious performance beside his role in The Merchant of Venice (with Al Pacino as Shylock).
A real chunk of classic Scots culture. Repeated absorption will improve the mind and provide balm for the soul - honest!

My students and I have been using the book "Kidnapped" as one of our literature readings. The students enjoyed the book and really showed great interested in the movie. It was great for me as a teacher to show the students different versions of this story. We charted the similiarities and differences. The intesrest level of the students made it easy for me to do my job. Great movie.

Though (like most book-to-movie adaptations) this movie takes some liberties with Stevenson's work, it at least hints at what all the fighting is about up there in the Highlands. In our politically correct times, I doubt that the screenwriters wanted to get into the whole Catholic v. Protestant issue that underlies the book, but at least you know that Davie's clan (Protestants) and Allan's clan (Catholic) are at each other's throats. The idea Stevenson was working with is that sometimes two persons from different backgrounds are thrown together by circumstances in which they must cooperate to bring about their mutual survival. In the struggle, they find in each other a basic human decency that transcends the political struggle around them. Despite the fact that the movie doesn't always follow the book, that basic idea still comes shining through.

I have to start by saying the Kidnapped is one of my favorite books. I've read it many, many times so I know that no movie version can do it full justice. Actually, the best version I'd ever seen was the Disney version with Peter Finch, so I was very interested to see if this one would be more faithful to the book. I was extremely disappointed: while David's character is ok (albeit a bit boring), Alan is completely and utterly changed beyond all recognition. Not only does he look and act like someone out of a Dumas novel, but near the end he is actually portrayed as a *coward*! If there is anything in the world that Alan Breck Stewart is NOT, that would be a coward! Arg, I was yelling at the TV, it was that bad. So if you're a fan of the book, do yourself and everyone around you a favor and give this one a miss.

I understand the urge to tweak things in an a adaptation but I have to say that they seem to have set out to change things gratuitously in this version and to mind it spoils it. It's no longer Robert Louis Stevenson! As other reviewers point out they change many many plot details, even the casting spoils some things (Davie is supposed to be a foot taller than Alan Breck Stewart). The tension between the lowland Whig Davie (the head) and the Highland Alan (the heart) isn't apparent and ultimately in this "adaptation" of a "coming of age" book by RLS, Davie doesn't grow up in any sense.