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DVD Description
3 Part Dramatisation of Robert Louis Stevenson's book Kidnapped.
In the politically divided Scotland of 1751, orphaned Davie Balfour leaves the peace of his idyllic Lowland home to seek out his inheritance from his estranged uncle. But before he can claim his rightful fortune, young Davie is launched on an extraordinary and amazing adventure where he must battle with slave-traders, evade capture by the British army's finest troops and learn some harsh truths about himself along the way'
Fortunately for Davie he is helped in his quest by the one man in Scotland who is able to outrun and outwit even the cleverest and most dogged of pursuers: the notorious and flamboyant Jacobite rebel - Alan Breck.
Kidnapped remains one of the most exciting adventure stories ever written and this brilliant adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel is sure to excite and enthral children and adults of all ages.
Special Features
The Adventures of Robert Louis Stevenson (1 hr docudrama) Image Gallery Costume Design Feature Set Design Feature Cast Profiles Character Profiles Radio Times Cover (Easter Egg)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 41 people found the following review helpful
I saw this BBC series when it was first put out on terrestrial television - and I have no hesitation in saying that it's absolutely brilliant! OK, like all the best adaptations it takes a few liberties with the plot of the original; but this is the only adaptation of Stevenson's novel that has really got the spirit of excitement that abounds in the book. It's also the first time I've seen screenwriters tell the story from Davie's point of view (as Stevenson did) instead of from Alan Breck's - a decision that is much more true to the book and which really serves the story well on screen.
It's worth noting that the production came out of the BBC's children's drama department - so presumably this is why they were able to justify making it truly Davie's story - and also why they were able to jettison much of the dusty 18th century Scottish political/historical detail which makes the book a bit off-putting for a modern audience. Although aimed at a younger audience, I found this gripping for adults as well - and the production values are superb: fabulous vistas serving as the backdrop for a witty, sparkling script.
The acting is also great - Iain Glen is the best Alan Breck I've ever seen on screen (soooo much better than Michael Caine or David McCallum!!) and Paul McGann is an excellent villain. But Gregor Fisher (aka Rab C Nesbit) is a true revelation as James - really good, emotional, true acting.
The DVD also comes with a few extras - the usual boring BBC costume plates, etc. But the gem is a documentary called 'The Adventures of Robert Louis Stevenson' which is almost worth the price of admission on its own.
This is great Sunday afternoon stuff - and a great introduction to a great author for all ages.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Given that "Kidnapped" is one of the greatest adventure stories of all time, you'd think it would be impossible to ruin it - but they have here. I could hardly bear to watch but stuck it out, thinking that sooner or later, it might get back on track. Almost nothing was left of Stevenson's great work, not even the scenery, as it was not even filmed in Scotland (and looked it!). Characters ran endlessly over mountains that no one who had ever seen Scotland could mistake for anything in Appin or Glencoe (must New Zealand stand in for everything?), and this is a story that is so entwined with place that people still visit Scotland from all over the world to retrace its characters' steps. Maybe the music during the end credits was worth a star, but that's about it. Maybe it's fortunate it's so forgettable. For place and characters, try the Disney version with James MacArthur and Peter Finch.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
I cannot recall one redeeming feature about this very loose adaptation.
The minus points include, but are not restricted to the following:
the death of Cluny McPherson; in both the novel and in reality he escaped to France after a long time in hiding.
the inclusion of weird bounty hunters/assassins
the description by Jacobites of other Jacobites as rebels
the singing of the nineteneth century Skye boat song
the scene at the gallows at the end of the film completely fails to tie in with the book, as well as being implausible historically.
It is, in fact, an awful viewing experience for anyone with even a passing acquaintance with the novel or history. Micahel Caine's version has much which is bad in it, but also redeeming features. This hasn't any of the latter.
The minus points include, but are not restricted to the following:
the death of Cluny McPherson; in both the novel and in reality he escaped to France after a long time in hiding.
the inclusion of weird bounty hunters/assassins
the description by Jacobites of other Jacobites as rebels
the singing of the nineteneth century Skye boat song
the scene at the gallows at the end of the film completely fails to tie in with the book, as well as being implausible historically.
It is, in fact, an awful viewing experience for anyone with even a passing acquaintance with the novel or history. Micahel Caine's version has much which is bad in it, but also redeeming features. This hasn't any of the latter.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Imperfect excellency
I understand and acknowledge the other reviewers general criticism wholeheartedly but can only say that New Zealand is at least the southern temperate zone and not Burundi or... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Ken Raus
classic stevenson
I bought this as a comparator but the walt disney version with peter finch and james mcarthur is the defineative version i also have the dreadfull michael caine version, caine's... Read more
Published 13 months ago by redgeorge
an excellent story spoiled
RL Stevenson's Kidnapped is famous world-wide as a truly excellent adventure story. Unfortunately the producers of this DVD version have decided that they know better than... Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2008 by Michael Clarkson
Why tinker with such a great story
I consider that the production suffered from a lot of unnecessary tinkering with plot. Davids father becomes, as far as I can recall, a farmer instead of a teacher, but why? Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2008 by Iosaig
Only So-So
Most bothersome to us was that the location was clearly not in Scotland and Scotland is what the story is about. Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2005
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