Michael's Movie Grade:A-
Year Released:1960
History
Kidnapped was the first Disney film to be made in Britain since Rob Roy: The Highland Rouge. This film while directed by a British born director was also directed by a director who had been previously working with the Disney company in the U.S.. Like Disney's first British film, Treasure Island, Kidnapped was also based off a book by British author Robert Lewis Stevenson. Though various press releases stated that director/screenwriter Robert Stevenson was related to author Robert Lewis Stevenson, the director later said that there was no truth in these statements.
The cast of the film would also be primarily British (like in the previous Disney British films), with one exception. The big exception would be James MacArthur, who had previously stared in The Light in the Forest and Third Man on the Mountain. One of the main stars of Kidnapped was Peter Finch a big name actor in Britain at this time. Finch had previously played the Sherriff of Nottingham in The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (a previous Disney British film). Kidnapped was also the feature film debut of actor Peter O' Toole, who would of course go on to a great career after this. He was cast in this film because he could play the pipes.
This film was also the first Disney film for producer Hugh Attwooll who would later work on such Disney films as Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog, In Search of Castaways, The Three Live of Thomasiana, The Moon Spinners, The Fighting Prince of Donegal, Candleshoe, The London Connection, Unidentified Flying Oddball, and The Watcher in the Woods.
Some of those who worked on this film would also be connected to other movie versions of Robert Louis Stevenson's book. The cinematographer for this film, Paul Beeson and producer Hugh Attwooll would later work on a 1971 film version. Actor John Laurie had previously been in a 1956 film version. Duncan Macrae would later be in the 1963 film version.
British critics really liked the film due to it's faithfulness to the book. However American critics found this movie slow and boring. It was not that popular at the box office.
Fantastic adventure film.
This film abounds in atmosphere and great characters. Again like all the Disney films of this era the film looks great. The film is simply very lovely to look at. However the characters are just as fascinating here. Especially of note is Alan Breck Stewart, who is a very well written and acted character. He is far from a cookie cutter hero. He is a good man, but he also has many demons, that he never fully conquers. Nearly as well done is David Balfour. David is a very likable hero. He is generally a very good guy, but he can be pushed too far and is sometimes reluctant to be the hero he needs to be. The complexities and contradictions in these characters help make them both more fascinating and relatable. What really makes both the characters and the atmosphere work so well in this film is that the movie takes it's time and doesn't rush things. We spend time getting to know these characters and the world around them instead of rushing into action scenes. In fact this film is pretty low on action. There is much less of it here than in most Disney adventure films. Despite this though the movie rarely becomes boring.
Overall a fantastic film that deserves much more attention.
Film Credits
Director: Robert Stevenson
Writer: Robert Stevenson
Based on a novel by Robert Lewis Stevenson
Cast: James MacArthur (David Balfour), Peter Finch (Alan Breck Stewart), Bernard Lee (Captain Hoseseason), John Laurie (Ebenezer Balfour), Niall MacGinnis (Mr. Shaun), Finlay Currie ( Cluny Macpherson), Miles Malleson (Mr. Rankeillor), Duncan Macrae (Highlander), Andrew Cruickshank (Colin Campbell), Peter O'Toole (Robin MacGregor), Alex Mackenzie (Ferryman), Oliver Johnston (Mr. Campbell), Norman Macowan (Tinker), Eileen Way (Jennet Clouston), Edie Martin (Woman on bridge), Abe Barker (Donald Dhu MacLaren), Richard Evans (Ransome), John Pike (Cabin Boy)
Producers: Walt Disney, Hugh Attwooll
Music: Cedric Thorpe Davie
Cinematographer: Paul Beeson
Editor: Gordon Stone
Art Director: Carmen Dillon
Set Designer: Vernon Dixion
Costume Designer: Margaret Furse
Makeup Artist: Stuart Freeborn
Hair Stylist: Florrie Hyde
Production Manager: Fran Ernst
Assistant Directors: Peter Manley, Ian Goddard, Eric Rattray
Story Sketch Artist: Don DaGradi
Special Effects: Peter Ellenshaw
Cameraman: Alan Hume
Casting: Maude Spector
Dialect Advisor: John Breslin
Recourses Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053994/?ref_=rvi_tt
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Kidnapped
-Michael J. Ruhland
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