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| editing = Peter Boita
| editing = Peter Boita
| studio = Omnibus Productions Ltd<ref>{{cite web|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6ae092ab|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712175530/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6ae092ab|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-12|title=Kidnapped (1972)}}</ref>
| studio = Omnibus Productions Ltd<ref>{{cite web|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6ae092ab|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712175530/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6ae092ab|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-12|title=Kidnapped (1972)}}</ref>
| distributor = [[British Lion Films]]
| distributor = [[British Lion Films]] (UK)<br>[[American International Pictures]] (US)
| released = {{film date|df=y|1971|12|22|US|1972|05|04|UK}}
| released = {{film date|df=y|1971|12|22|US|1972|05|04|UK}}
| runtime = 107 minutes
| runtime = 107 minutes
Line 32: Line 32:


==Plot==
==Plot==
The film begins in the aftermath of the [[Battle of Culloden]] with the troops of the Duke of the Cumberland ruthlessly supressing the Jacobite Rebellion.

Young David Balfour arrives at a bleak Scottish house, the House of Shaws, to claim his inheritance. The house and land have been under the custodianship of his father's brother, Ebenezer Balfour, but on reaching adulthood, the land and property become David's. Ebenezer 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 [[Charles Edward Stuart]]'s defeat at [[Battle of Culloden|Culloden]]. Breck is in a [[coble]] 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]].
Young David Balfour arrives at a bleak Scottish house, the House of Shaws, to claim his inheritance. The house and land have been under the custodianship of his father's brother, Ebenezer Balfour, but on reaching adulthood, the land and property become David's. Ebenezer 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 [[Charles Edward Stuart]]'s defeat at [[Battle of Culloden|Culloden]]. Breck is in a [[coble]] 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 [[Jacobitism|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 [[Red coat (British army)|Redcoat]]s. 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. Breck hopes to incite another rebellion for Scottish independence but James Stewart and his clan would have none of it. James felt that the Battle of Culloden was terrible and unnecessary. He also reasoned with Breck that the Redcoats could never be defeated in the future as they had better tactics and cannon. Later on, a Scottish Captain of a Redcoat patrol is killed in a skirmish with the Stewart Clan on a farm. Subsequently Breck, David and Catriona quickly flee the scene, but the seriously injured James, being assumed dead, is abandoned and then captured. He gets the blame for the killing and is imprisoned in the Castle. Later on, David and Catriona part with Breck and meet up with a lawyer to defend James. They are allowed to visit James in the Castle. They explain to the lawyer that James Stewart is innocent of the killing although they do not know who killed the Captain. It is pointed out, however, that Dave is risking his life by giving evidence to the fact. They are visited by the Lord Advocate and his daughter who explain to them that a New Scotland is in the making as part of the Union with England, so therefore rebellions by the Highland Clans in the future are not necessary. The Lord Advocate tells them both that he is a highlander too but would wish Alan Breck to be captured and killed. Unbeknownst to the Lord Advocate, Breck, hiding in a large cupboard, was listening in to their conversation in anger and still wished to carry out a future rebellion. Finally Catriona meets Alan out in the Scottish countryside and pleads with him to reconsider rebelling against England, as Scotland is no longer interested in fighting. Alan Breck is then left to himself, viewing the countryside and has memories of the people being killed in the futile Battle of Culloden. He feels guilty for the young men he sent out to their deaths. He finally realizes that a New Scotland does not need him. It turns out that it was he that killed the Captain. The film ends when he decides to hand himself in to the Castle occupied by the Redcoats in order to save James.
On discovering that Breck has a money belt full of [[Jacobitism|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 [[Red coat (British army)|Redcoat]]s. 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.
Breck hopes to incite another rebellion for Scottish independence but James Stewart and his clan would have none of it. James felt that the Battle of Culloden was terrible and unnecessary. He also reasoned with Breck that the Redcoats could never be defeated in the future as they had better tactics and cannon. Later on, a Scottish Captain of a Redcoat patrol is killed in a skirmish with the Stewart Clan on a farm. Subsequently Breck, David and Catriona quickly flee the scene, but the seriously injured James, being assumed dead, is abandoned and then captured. He gets the blame for the killing and is imprisoned in the Castle. Later on, David and Catriona part with Breck and meet up with a lawyer to defend James. They are allowed to visit James in the Castle. They explain to the lawyer that James Stewart is innocent of the killing although they do not know who killed the Captain. It is pointed out, however, that Dave is risking his life by giving evidence to the fact. They are visited by the Lord Advocate and his daughter who explain to them that a New Scotland is in the making as part of the Union with England, so therefore rebellions by the Highland Clans in the future are not necessary. The Lord Advocate tells them both that he is a highlander too but would wish Alan Breck to be captured and killed. Unbeknownst to the Lord Advocate, Breck, hiding in a large cupboard, was listening in to their conversation in anger and still wished to carry out a future rebellion. Finally Catriona meets Alan out in the Scottish countryside and pleads with him to reconsider rebelling against England, as Scotland is no longer interested in fighting. Alan Breck is then left to himself, viewing the countryside and has memories of the people being killed in the futile Battle of Culloden. He feels guilty for the young men he sent out to their deaths. He finally realizes that a New Scotland does not need him. It turns out that it was he that killed the Captain. The film ends when he decides to hand himself in to the Castle occupied by the Redcoats in order to save James.


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 58: Line 62:


==Production==
==Production==
The film was produced by Frederick Brogger, through his company Omnibus Productions, which Brogger half owned with actor [[James Franciscus]]). Omninus made four classical adaptations of novels, all of which were directed by Delbert Mann: ''Heidi'' (1968), ''David Copperfield'' (1970), ''Jane Eyre'' (1971) and ''Kidnapped''. Franciscus said "We saw that no one was doing the classics. We felt there was a need and a place for that kind of film."<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=3 July 1971|page= 5}}</ref> The films were sold to NBC television, who had the right to show the films twice in the USA (they aired on ''Bell System Family Theatre''). They were also made for theatrical release. The films were expensive because they were shot on location.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Paducah Sun|date=19 March 1971|page= 23|title='Jane Eyre' will be 'unique' performance|first=Mimi|last=Mead}}</ref>
Although the film is loosely based on the book written by Robert Louis Stevenson for which David Balfour is the main character, the film is fact mostly focused on the character of Alan Breck played by Michael Caine. Caine had already risen to acting stardom in over 37 previous films. 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.<ref>Call the Cops: It's Time to Call the Cops
By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 7 Mar 1971: D11.</ref>


The original title was ''David and Catriona''.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=21 May 1971|page= 74|title=Movie Call Sheet}}</ref> Delbert Mann says they wanted to focus more on those characters than Alan Breck, but wanted to give Breck "more guts and more balls" than he was traditionally porotrayed. They wrote in scenes where Breck commits premeditated murder but ultimately had to cut them out due to the censor.<ref>Hall p 231</ref>
⚫
''Kidnapped'' was shot almost entirely on location in Scotland. Places include [[Argyll]], [[Isle of Mull|Mull]], [[Culross]] and [[Stirling Castle]]. The opening moorland scene of the end of the [[Battle of Culloden]] was filmed in [[Argyll]], with Highlander extras provided by [[Lochaber High School]] and Redcoat extras by [[Oban High School]]. [[Pinewood Studios]] was used for some interior scenes.


The filmmakers realised that the film would be too expensive for television. They told NBC who pulled out and the project was refinanced with [[American International Pictures]] putting up NBC's share instead.<ref name="mann">{{cite news|title=Movies abscond with 'Kidnapped'|newspaper=The Columbus Telegram|page=18 January 1972|page= 9}}</ref> This made ''Kidnapped'' Omnibus' first purely theatrical film.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/259799780/?terms=%20kidnapped%20%22frederick%20brogger%22&match=1|first=John|last=Hall|newspaper=The Guardian|date=18 May 1972|page= 12|title=Catching an omnibus to fortune}}</ref>
The film was originally known as ''David and Catriona''.<ref>Visconti Due at 'Venice' Preview Los Angeles Times 24 May 1971: e11.</ref>


Leads Lawrence Douglas and Vivien Heilbron were relatively unknown. Filming started in London at Pinewood Studios on 10 May 1971.<ref>Call the Cops: It's Time to Call the Cops
⚫
By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 7 Mar 1971: D11.</ref> Five weeks location shooting began in Scotland on 30 May. Scottish locations included [[Argyll]], [[Isle of Mull|Mull]], [[Culross]] and [[Stirling Castle]]. The opening moorland scene of the end of the [[Battle of Culloden]] was filmed in [[Argyll]], with Highlander extras provided by [[Lochaber High School]] and Redcoat extras by [[Oban High School]]. [[Pinewood Studios]] was used for some interior scenes.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Evening Standard|date=5 May 1971|page= 10|title=Unknowns land star roles in new film|first=Michael|last=Owen}}</ref>

Caine later said he "never got paid for" the film. "They made it when they didn’t have the money to make it. I got a small percentage just so they would be able to release it, to get at least some money back on it. It was an absolute and utter disaster from beginning to end."<ref>Hall p 231</ref> Mann confirms that "no one was paid fully" and says Caine "was a key figure to get us through it."<ref>Hall p 233</ref>

Mann says a number of actors had to be looped because American audiences would not understand the thick Scottish accents.<ref name="mann"/>
==Music==
==Music==
The soundtrack was composed and conducted by [[Roy Budd]]. The end title song, "For All My Days", was sung by [[Mary Hopkin]].
The soundtrack was composed and conducted by [[Roy Budd]]. The end title song, "For All My Days", was sung by [[Mary Hopkin]].
==Reception==
The ''Los Angeles Times'' called it "something of a disappointment".<ref>{{cite news|first=Kevin|last=Thomas|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|title=New version of 'Kidnapped'|date=17 March 1972|page= 84}}</ref>


[[Pauline Kael]] said "Jack Pulman has drawn a trim, craftsmanlike screenplay" and the director "keeps everything comprehensible, though he doesn’t seem to know how to make the narrative stirring. Fortunately, Michael Caine acts Alan Breck with a mixture of swagger and intelligence that keeps the movie alive."<ref>{{cite book|first=Pauline|last=Kael|page=303| title=5001 nights at the movies : a guide from A to Z|year=1985|url=https://archive.org/details/5001nightsatmovi0000kael/page/302/mode/2up?q=kidnapped+}}</ref>
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
==Notes==

*{{cite book|page=231|url=https://archive.org/details/70notout00will/page/231/mode/1up?q=%22i+never+got+paid%22|title= 70 not out : the biography of Sir Michael Caine|last=Hall|first= William|year=2003}}
==External links==
==External links==
* {{BFI}}
* {{BFI}}
* {{IMDb title|0067302}}
* {{IMDb title|0067302}}
*[https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/80216/kidnapped#overview Kidnapped] at [[TCMDB]]
*[https://letterboxd.com/film/kidnapped-1971/ Kidnapped] at Letterbox DVD
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|1011512_kidnapped}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|1011512_kidnapped}}
* [http://caine-home.narod.ru/70-04/70-04.html Kidnapped – Photos]
* [http://caine-home.narod.ru/70-04/70-04.html Kidnapped – Photos]
*[https://variety.com/1971/film/reviews/kidnapped-4-1200422774/ Review of film] at Variety


{{Delbert Mann}}
{{Delbert Mann}}

Revision as of 13:29, 29 May 2023

Kidnapped
Original British quad film poster
Directed byDelbert Mann
Screenplay byJack Pulman
Based onKidnapped and Catriona
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Produced byFrederick H. Brogger
Starring
CinematographyPaul Beeson
Edited byPeter Boita
Music byRoy Budd
Production
company
Omnibus Productions Ltd[1]
Distributed byBritish Lion Films (UK)
American International Pictures (US)
Release dates
  • 22 December 1971 (1971-12-22) (US)
  • 4 May 1972 (1972-05-04) (UK)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

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 1886 novel Kidnapped and the first half of the 1893 sequel Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Plot

The film begins in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden with the troops of the Duke of the Cumberland ruthlessly supressing the Jacobite Rebellion.

Young David Balfour arrives at a bleak Scottish house, the House of Shaws, to claim his inheritance. The house and land have been under the custodianship of his father's brother, Ebenezer Balfour, but on reaching adulthood, the land and property become David's. Ebenezer 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 Charles Edward Stuart's defeat at Culloden. Breck is in a coble 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.

Breck hopes to incite another rebellion for Scottish independence but James Stewart and his clan would have none of it. James felt that the Battle of Culloden was terrible and unnecessary. He also reasoned with Breck that the Redcoats could never be defeated in the future as they had better tactics and cannon. Later on, a Scottish Captain of a Redcoat patrol is killed in a skirmish with the Stewart Clan on a farm. Subsequently Breck, David and Catriona quickly flee the scene, but the seriously injured James, being assumed dead, is abandoned and then captured. He gets the blame for the killing and is imprisoned in the Castle. Later on, David and Catriona part with Breck and meet up with a lawyer to defend James. They are allowed to visit James in the Castle. They explain to the lawyer that James Stewart is innocent of the killing although they do not know who killed the Captain. It is pointed out, however, that Dave is risking his life by giving evidence to the fact. They are visited by the Lord Advocate and his daughter who explain to them that a New Scotland is in the making as part of the Union with England, so therefore rebellions by the Highland Clans in the future are not necessary. The Lord Advocate tells them both that he is a highlander too but would wish Alan Breck to be captured and killed. Unbeknownst to the Lord Advocate, Breck, hiding in a large cupboard, was listening in to their conversation in anger and still wished to carry out a future rebellion. Finally Catriona meets Alan out in the Scottish countryside and pleads with him to reconsider rebelling against England, as Scotland is no longer interested in fighting. Alan Breck is then left to himself, viewing the countryside and has memories of the people being killed in the futile Battle of Culloden. He feels guilty for the young men he sent out to their deaths. He finally realizes that a New Scotland does not need him. It turns out that it was he that killed the Captain. The film ends when he decides to hand himself in to the Castle occupied by the Redcoats in order to save James.

Cast

Production

The film was produced by Frederick Brogger, through his company Omnibus Productions, which Brogger half owned with actor James Franciscus). Omninus made four classical adaptations of novels, all of which were directed by Delbert Mann: Heidi (1968), David Copperfield (1970), Jane Eyre (1971) and Kidnapped. Franciscus said "We saw that no one was doing the classics. We felt there was a need and a place for that kind of film."[2] The films were sold to NBC television, who had the right to show the films twice in the USA (they aired on Bell System Family Theatre). They were also made for theatrical release. The films were expensive because they were shot on location.[3]

The original title was David and Catriona.[4] Delbert Mann says they wanted to focus more on those characters than Alan Breck, but wanted to give Breck "more guts and more balls" than he was traditionally porotrayed. They wrote in scenes where Breck commits premeditated murder but ultimately had to cut them out due to the censor.[5]

The filmmakers realised that the film would be too expensive for television. They told NBC who pulled out and the project was refinanced with American International Pictures putting up NBC's share instead.[6] This made Kidnapped Omnibus' first purely theatrical film.[7]

Leads Lawrence Douglas and Vivien Heilbron were relatively unknown. Filming started in London at Pinewood Studios on 10 May 1971.[8] Five weeks location shooting began in Scotland on 30 May. Scottish locations included Argyll, Mull, Culross and Stirling Castle. The opening moorland scene of the end of the Battle of Culloden was filmed in Argyll, with Highlander extras provided by Lochaber High School and Redcoat extras by Oban High School. Pinewood Studios was used for some interior scenes.[9]

Caine later said he "never got paid for" the film. "They made it when they didn’t have the money to make it. I got a small percentage just so they would be able to release it, to get at least some money back on it. It was an absolute and utter disaster from beginning to end."[10] Mann confirms that "no one was paid fully" and says Caine "was a key figure to get us through it."[11]

Mann says a number of actors had to be looped because American audiences would not understand the thick Scottish accents.[6]

Music

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

Reception

The Los Angeles Times called it "something of a disappointment".[12]

Pauline Kael said "Jack Pulman has drawn a trim, craftsmanlike screenplay" and the director "keeps everything comprehensible, though he doesn’t seem to know how to make the narrative stirring. Fortunately, Michael Caine acts Alan Breck with a mixture of swagger and intelligence that keeps the movie alive."[13]

References

  1. ^ "Kidnapped (1972)". Archived from the original on 12 July 2012.
  2. ^ Detroit Free Press. 3 July 1971. p. 5. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ Mead, Mimi (19 March 1971). "'Jane Eyre' will be 'unique' performance". The Paducah Sun. p. 23.
  4. ^ "Movie Call Sheet". The Los Angeles Times. 21 May 1971. p. 74.
  5. ^ Hall p 231
  6. ^ a b "Movies abscond with 'Kidnapped'". The Columbus Telegram. p. 9.
  7. ^ Hall, John (18 May 1972). "Catching an omnibus to fortune". The Guardian. p. 12.
  8. ^ Call the Cops: It's Time to Call the Cops By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 7 Mar 1971: D11.
  9. ^ Owen, Michael (5 May 1971). "Unknowns land star roles in new film". Evening Standard. p. 10.
  10. ^ Hall p 231
  11. ^ Hall p 233
  12. ^ Thomas, Kevin (17 March 1972). "New version of 'Kidnapped'". Los Angeles Times. p. 84.
  13. ^ Kael, Pauline (1985). 5001 nights at the movies : a guide from A to Z. p. 303.

Notes

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kidnapped_(1971_film)&oldid=1157566257"