Filmed in England where the Disney organization had fairly decent luck with their English films, Kidnapped from a book by Robert Lewis Stevenson would seem to fill the bill as at very least as a good action/adventure film. The problem was as usual that old bugaboo, the script. Kidnapped is about a young man David Balfour who is heir to a British estate. Balhour is shanghaied by his greedy uncle and ends up as a cabin boy on a ship serving a crooked sea captain played by "M" Bernard Lee no less. Balfour and a survivor of another shipwreck, Alan Stewart who is played by Peter Finch at the beginning of his career as a leading man I believe, team up to take over the ship and prevent the captain from killing them for their money.
Here's where things get very complicated. David Balfour is a supporter of the King of England. Alan Stewart is a Jacobite a member of a highland Scottish clan and a supporter of Bonnie Prince Charlie . The low land clans of Scotland the Campbells, were supporters of the King and dominated Scotland for some time to come. If you went into this movie thinking you were going to enjoy some sword fights, a ship crashing into some rocks and exciting chases across Scotland, well you get that stuff. But following this plot is a real challenge. I've actually explained this story better than the movie does. There is so much time devoted to politics and infighting among Scottish clans after a while you haven't a clue what's going on.
The production is a handsome one, the photography, sets and location settings are good. The cast beginning with American James MacArthur at least attempting an English accent and Australian Peter Finch as a Scotsman certain are sincere. Peter O'Toole in his first film role plays a Scottish bagpipe player who has a contest with Finch on the bagpipes instead of fighting him with swords or something.
This could have been a good adventure film but I would challenge anyone outside of Scotland or England to explain what is going on. Certainly the popcorn munching crowds in Cleveland would be scratching their heads at this story.
The screenplay was by the director Robert Stevenson, the running time is 97 confusing minutes.
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