4.06.2007

Kidnapped


This adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novel of the same name is one of the reasons I hold PBS in such high esteem. It often takes a modest production budget to fully allow great actors to shine. I dare not think what would happen if this cast was forced to act in competition against a barrage of Hollywood special effects. Let me quote direct from the PBS website:

"The boy at the center of this swashbuckling adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped, an epic tale of triumph over adversity, is fifteen-year-old Davie Balfour.

In an effort to claim his inheritance -- the House of Shaws, a great landed estate -- Davie finds himself trapped on a ship and headed for slavery in the New World. But thanks to the intervention of a swashbuckling highlander, Alan Breck, Davie eludes his captors and joins Breck on a wild flight through the Scottish highlands, pursued by notoriously ruthless English bounty hunters.

On a quest for justice, through perilous encounters with friend and foe, Davie gradually learns about the difference between right and wrong. But there are still difficult moral decisions to be made, right up until the story's final, enthralling chapter...

Iain Glen (Kingdom of Heaven, Wives & Daughters) stars as the legendary Scottish rebel Alan Breck, with James Anthony Pearson as Davie Balfour. Also appearing are Adrian Dunbar (The Crying Game) as Davie's loathsome Uncle Ebenezer and Kirstin Coulter Smith as Catriona, a crack-shot Highland lass who wins Davie's heart."

Iain Glen is particularily great. An actor's actor so to speak. This adaptation originally aired in October 2005. If you get a chance to watch, please do. It's very good.

9 comments:

LA said...

Nice review.

v said...

I wanted to see this before reading your review, but your engaging recommendation truly seals the deal.

And I hope you're having a wonderful Holiday weekend!

M-M-M-Mishy said...

Sounds intriguing, Flix.

Happy Easter!

Prunella Jones said...

For a minute I thought that pic was of Johnny Depp.

Happy Bunny Day my wittle wabbit!

Terrible lie said...

I just couldn't get into that

Diane said...

This sounds just up my alley! I live for PBS and BBC programming.

GetFlix said...

LA, thanks. But most of it was a quote.

V, it's really good.

Mish, hope you had a great Easter, too!

Pru, Glen is the real deal. But I know you love Depp, so I say cool!

Amber, first you say you can't get into a bikini, and then you say you can't get into Masterpiece Theatre. What's left?

Diane, I feel very fortunate to have WGBH.

Terrible lie said...

this is on TV right?

GetFlix said...

Amber, it is on television as part of the Masterpiece Theatre series.