Kidnapped (1971 film)

Kidnapped
Original British quad film poster
Directed by Delbert Mann
Produced by Frederick H. Brogger
Screenplay by Jack Pulman
Based on Kidnapped and Catriona
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Starring Michael Caine
Trevor Howard
Jack Hawkins
Donald Pleasence
Music by Roy Budd
Cinematography Paul Beeson
Edited by Peter Boita
Production
company
Omnibus Productions Ltd[1]
Distributed by British Lion Films (UK)
AIP (US)
Release date
  • 22 December 1971 (1971-12-22) (US)
  • 4 May 1972 (1972-05-04) (UK)
Running time
 107 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English

Kidnapped is a 1971 British adventure film, directed by Delbert Mann and starring Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Jack Hawkins and Donald Pleasence, as well as a number of well-known British character actors. The film is based on the novel Kidnapped and the first half of the sequel Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Plot

Young David Balfour arrives at a bleak Scottish house, the House of Shaws, to claim his inheritance after his father. The house and land have been under the custodianship of his father's brother, Ebeneezer Balfour, but on reaching adulthood, the land and property become David's. Ebeneezer is having none of it, however, so he first tries to murder him, then has him kidnapped by sea captain Hoseason, with whom he has "a venture for trade in the West Indies". David is shipped off to be sold as a slave in the Carolinas. He strikes up a friendship with Alan Breck, escaping from Prince Charles Edward Stuart's defeat at Culloden. Breck is in a cobble which is run down in the fog by Hoseason's ship and once aboard, asks Hoseason to take him to France. When Hoseason refuses, Breck offers him 60 guineas to put him down on Loch Linnhe.

On discovering that Breck has a money belt full of Jacobite gold, Hoseason and his crew try to kill Breck, but he is forewarned by David and the two kill half a dozen of the crew before the others retreat. Hoseason offers terms to end the fighting, but the ship runs aground. Only Breck and Balfour appear to survive and they manage to get to land. They set out for Edinburgh, dodging the ruthless Redcoats. Numerous adventures follow as they meet up with Breck's family, friends and foes alike. These include Breck's cousin, James Stewart, and his daughter Catriona, with whom David falls in love.

Cast

Production

The film was originally made for television but was screened in cinemas in some countries, as with other adaptations of classics directed by Delbert Mann, including Heidi and David Copperfield. Filming started in May 1971.[2]

Kidnapped was shot almost entirely on location in Scotland. Places include Argyll, Mull, Culross and Stirling Castle. Pinewood Studios was used for some interior scenes.

The film was originally known as David and Catriona.[3]

Music

The soundtrack was composed and conducted by Roy Budd. The end title song, "For All My Days", was sung by Mary Hopkin.

References

  1. ↑ "Kidnapped (1972)".
  2. ↑ Call the Cops: It's Time to Call the Cops By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 7 Mar 1971: D11.
  3. ↑ Visconti Due at 'Venice' Preview Los Angeles Times 24 May 1971: e11.
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