Customer Reviews

Stone of Destiny

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Stone of destiny is a lovely film, capturing the mood and period well. It's a pity this wasn't a bigger hit at the cinema but it is well worth seeing, especially the scenes at the end which were shot in Arbroath Abbey where the Declaration of Arbroath was signed by Robert the Bruce. (The American Declaration is based on this document).

Heartwarming and exciting without guns or violence - perfect!!

This is a great movie about nationalism and trying to right a wrong of history. The Stone of Destiny deals with idealistic university students driven by a strong sense of nationalism devise a plan to steal back the famed Stone of Scone from the English. With high hopes, little money and a sketchy plan, they set off for London to break into Westminster Abbey and grab the coronation stone of Scottish kings. With humour thrown in for good measure, it is an enjoyable film. A good cast makes the film work: Charlie Cox (The Merchant of Venice), Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Master and Commander, The Flying Scotsman), Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, The Full Monty, Hamish MacBeth), and Kate Mara (We Are Marshall) headline.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this movie. I had not heard this story before so that made it even more entertaining. Want a good movie the whole family can see? This movie is one everyone can appreciate.

It is hard to imagine in the modern UK - blanketed as it is with CCTV, armed police units and security cordons that some students - who drove from Glasgow to London in the middle of the night just before Xmas 1950 - could break into Westminster Abbey, bungle things a few times and still get away with Scotland's ceremonial stone used to crown Scots kings in times past. Innocent times indeed.

The film contains elements of the Keystone Cops - but if you have ever read Ian Hamilton's accounts of the recovery of the Stone of Destiny it was pretty much like the film portrays - even the scene near the end with the travelling people. Perhaps the only thing glossed over was the feeling of gross betrayal when the stone was voluntarily returned and the fact the authorities decided not to risk a trial and lose the case to Ian Hamilton's rather well argued points of law as to why he and his companions had merely recovered stolen property.

The film also stars parts of the City of Glasgow set dressed to look like 1950; a significant portion of the cars of the era from the Glasgow Museum of Transport; the real Westminster Abbey and Glasgow University. Also watch out for the real Ian Hamilton's 5 second, non-speaking, cameo appearance!

In this day and age it is hard to find safe family movies - but this one is - a REAL tale of derring-do and robbery which it is safe to let the kids watch.

A true story of some Scottish university students, who decide to retrieve the Stone of Scone from Westminster Abbey and return it to Scotland in 1950. The "crooks" bungle, but somehow pull off the heist, becoming national heroes. There are some good comic bits, when things go wrong, and a bit of romance, too. The actors, particularly Charlie Cox and Kate Mara, are quite good, and the script and direction are competent (although overdone at times). Nice shots around Westminster Abbey, Glasgow, and the British and Scottish countryside add to the enjoyment. [Please note that I watched the film on cable TV rather than from the DVD.]

I have a problem with movie sound and usually need subtitles in English. I could only understand about .5% of what the cast said in Scottish brogue. However, I got enough of it to follow along. This is a comedy based loosely on real events. Basically everything that can go wrong, goes wrong. I have been there on capers like that myself and it's no fun, but you just adapt and worry about it later. I recommend this movie, especially if you are of Scottish origin. The scottish characters are endearing. I rooted for them. The Brits are mean. I hoped they would drown in some tea. The redheaded heroine was heartbreakingly beautiful. It is 1950. We were still all free. We still all had a sweet morality that is lost now, until we destroy ourselves and begin over. What more could one ask for? :)

We visited Scotland this summer and saw the Stone on display in Edinburgh Castle. The attendant in the display room told us about the movie. She said it was a good lighthearted presentation of how the Stone got to Edinburgh. We weren't disappointed. The whole family enjoyed the movie. It also captured a sense of how proud the Scottish people are of their country - Scotland - not Britain. We loved our trip to Scotland and the movie gave us a better understanding of the importance of the Stone.

Based closely on the true event of a group of Scottish college students stealing back the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abby. Wonderful acting. Fascinating story. Marvelous movie! Get it and watch it - you'll want to own it.

Stone of Destiny
I love this TRUE story although I strongly believe that the monks at Scone gave a BOGUS rock to King Eddies' boys when they came-a-stealing. This 'fact' doesn't take away from the historical importance of The Stone which now, rightfully, sits in Edinburgh Castle.

this product arrived in good time and order. I was greatly please by this.