User reviews

Kidnapped is based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson and has been made several times. This Disney version is excellent.

David Balfur's uncle arranges for him to be kidnapped and is taken aboard a ship but gets shipwrecked along the way but eventually manages to get back to Scotland after teaming up with adventurer Alan Breack Stuart. The journey takes them across the Scottish Highlands and face dangers along the way including soldiers in Redcoats.

This movie is shot on location in the Scottish Highlands and contains some great scenery.

The cast includes James MacArther, Peter Finch, Benard Lee (before his role as M in the James Bond movies), John Laurie (Private Frazer from Dad's Army), Finlay Currie, Nial MacGinnis and Peter O'Toole (Lawrence of Arabia). Excellent parts from all.

Watching Kidnapped is an ideal way to spend an hour and a half one afternoon. Excellent.

Rating: 3 and a half stars out of 5.

This comes across as a rather cheaply made movie, minimal production values, and that's a shame, because it has a very fine script delivered by very fine actors, chief among them Peter Finch, who delivers Alan Breck Stewart's lines like the Shakespearean actor he was, rolling those r's and turning the prose into poetry. Yes, the ships at sea look like they're in a bathtub, it's true, and the backgrounds, which could have been beautiful, are not, because the color is not that good.

But the script is first rate, and so is the acting, and that wins the day.

This is a story of male bonding, of a boy who becomes a man by going through trials under the supervision of a man. The sort of thing Kipling did so well a decade later in Captains Courageous - turned into another first-rate movie, if a less faithful one, with Spencer Tracy and Freddie Bartholomew. This is something of the same thing, except that, rather than riding the high seas, the duo wander through the dangers of the Scottish Highlands.

It would have benefited from a better score, but still, I strongly recommend it. It is infinitely better than the sad travesty produced for no discernible reason by Masterpiece Theater.

Walt Disney adapts Robert Louis Stevenson's classic 1886 story in a bright colourful romp but retains the darker elements of the story such as the murder of the cabin boy.

James MacArthur better known from classic Hawaii Five-O struggles with whatever British accent he is attempting but comes across as a vulnerable but likable David Balfour who after his father dies visits his miserly uncle Ebenezer who attempts to kill him in an accident and when that fails lures him to a ship that is due to take him to the Americas as an indentured labourer.

In his voyage he comes across Alan Breck Stewart (Peter Finch) who the ship captain plots to kill for his money. David warns Alan and the two are able to overcome the murderous crew and escape ashore. Stewart is a Jacobite wanted for murder but both make it back to safety where David confronts Ebenezer as tries to claims his inheritance.

Peter Finch known for serious dramas rather enjoys himself in this Disney film and pitches his performance just right. He has a bagpipe duel with a young Peter O'Toole who is also a hoot in his brief scene.

The film loses steam a little at the last stretch but is a fun, unpretentious film and it was shot in Britain.

This a rollicking good story and even if you not seen the movie for many years you are in for a pleasant surprise. The scenery is wonderful and there are wonderful characters in the film and plenty of excitement. The scenes of the grand old ships on the mighty ocean really do look rather like boats in a bath tub but forget all that its a finely paced adventure movie. There are a few of Disneys favourite young actors in it and they are all very good but its Peter Finch who brings that special distinction to the film. He was a brilliant actor and even though its a Disney kids flick he gives it all he has got. Finch is brilliant and it is his film. There is a lovely scene with the incredibly handsome Peter O Toole.

This is a handsome production, but my main complaint is that the Scottish dialects were terribly difficult to understand. I had to turn on the closed captioning to understand what was going on. Some kids (and adults) will squirm and get bored with this. With the extensive use of authentic Scottish idioms and old English slang, this was a chore to watch.

There's not much to say about Walt Disney's "Kidnapped" other than it's simply an ok movie. I don't mean that in a bad way, it was ok and enjoyable.

Some noteworthy things about it are Peter Finch's performance, the debut of Peter O' Toole, and the lovely looking setting (this is a little bias, as I happen to love natural landscape and forested areas). The soundtrack was ok, and most of everything else was around average.

It's simply enjoyable, and a good watch. It's pretty short at 90 minutes, but I'd still recommend it. 6.5/10.

Also, if you happen to disagree with my opinions, that completely fine.

It's directed by Robert Stevenson, screenplay by Robert Stevenson, from the novel by Robert Stevenson -- the other one. When I was young enough to be fuzzy on such details, I concluded that he used the shorter version of his name for movie projects, but "Robert Louis Stevenson" for books, because... well, because. This was something I planned to do, and even had a pseudonym planned for such projects I envisioned in which I would wind up wearing many hats; I would be modest about proclaiming my immense achievements and good looks.

In any case, there is something about this fine version that, typically for many Disney live-action movies, always bothered me: they seemed more filmed stories than people living an exciting adventure, and the jokes in the comedies seemed planned and forced. Looking at this movie, I wonder how much of that sense of non-involvement is caused by the back-projection work, and the shots of James MacArthur and Peter Finch looking over the same bit of heather-decorated rocks -- at two different locations. It's not to say that MacArthur isn't ok as the young Balfour, that Finlay Currie isn't the Scottish laird as he seemed born to be, and certainly Peter Finch gives one of his most entertaining performances in a career in which he seemed defined by a sort of bland creepiness. It's just there's something about the Disney live-action movies which proclaimed their artificiality to me.

Walt Disney's 1960 film of Robert Louis Stevenson's _Kidnapped_ is not only the best movie version of the 1886 novel but is also one of the finest cinematic treatments of any of the author's works. Filmed on location in Scotland and featuring an outstanding ensemble of mostly British actors, this _Kidnapped_ is faithful to the spirit -- and even, for the most part, to the letter -- of the RLS masterpiece, which is half adventure tale and half meditation on Scottish history, culture, and character. Director Robert Stevenson (presumably no relation to Tusitala) never dumbed down the story or the 18th-century context, which may account for the movie's present limited appeal. It's atmospherically and thematically darker than the ususal Disney fare, and adult viewers may find it surprisingly rewarding.

Equating Disney movies to "family entertainment" is a bit trite, but here it works. Young men looking for adventure in their lives will be as pleased with this film as parents looking for a quality movie to which they can take their kids. This is the brilliant Scottish raconteur Robert Louis Stevenson's tale of two Scotlands, Highland and Lowland, as personified by the dour young Mr. David Balfour and the spirited Highlander Alan Breck Stewart (who proudly "bears a King's name"). On the run for their lives in their own native country of Scotland, now occupied by English redcoats and their Hessian merceneries, the protagonists must overcome their mutual distrust of one another, which is based primarily on political differences (but also on cultural differences as well). In fighting to keep their health and lives, they come to respect and even appreciate one another, in part because (ironically) they are from different worlds. The acting is simply first-rate; the producers could not (and did not) rely on special effects to make this movie work. The scenery of the Scottish Highlands is breathtaking. But it's the plot and character development made so viable by the brilliant acting of Peter Finch and James MacArthur that make the movie a stand-out. Rent it, bring it home, and watch it with your girlfriend, your boyfriend, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, friends, parent, grandparents, or perfect strangers. By the end of the movie, you'll value the friendship that young Mr. Balfour and the spirited Highlander find for themselves.

Such a bore.

With a title like 'Kidnapped' you'd rightly expect thrills, but it produces anything but. There are adventure elements here no doubt, though barring one moment of drama it's basically just the lead character visiting various places. He has just one intention throughout, so you're just waiting for that to resolve itself. Too slow and predictable.

Cast-wise it's decent. James MacArthur, in his third Disney film at this point, continues to give mid-range performances. Peter Finch (Allan) is the best actor involved, yet even with him I've certainly seen better; Bernard Lee (Hoseason) too, in-fact they are both very good together in 1956's 'The Battle of the River Plate'. Elsewhere, John Laurie does alright as Ebenezer.

More action needed, as it plods its way to the climax; which is probably the least entertaining part unfortunately. The studio's worst live-action production up until February 1960, in my opinion.

I know an honest appraisal when I see one. Add to that droits_de_l_homme is from Scotland so he knows what he is talking about. I just know I have always loved this movie. I have always been a fan of classic writers like Stevenson and Dickens. This Disney movie is long overdue for putting on DVD. Why such a great piece of work with a stellar cast has not been put on DVD before now is beyond me. I bought the VHS many years ago and I am glad I did as it is OOP now. If you are lucky enough to catch it on TV I am sure you will agree it is a masterpiece of family entertainment with an accurate depiction of Scottish history thrown in for good measure. I always hoped this would come out on DVD with Disney talking about the story behind it as he often did when these were made for the Disney TV show.

Robert Louis Stevenson, born in Scotland in 1850 and sick with tuberculosis most of his adult life, was one prolific author of books of travel and adventure that are read and enjoyed even today. The imagery he creates in his books is so vivid that cinematic adaption is real easy. In fact this version of Kidnapped won high praise in the British Isles for being remarkably faithful to the book.

The story was also filmed on location in Scotland lending a real authenticity to the story. A whole slew of Scots players got work in this one and Australian Peter Finch and American James MacArthur fit right in with them.

Impossible for me to believe, but this Walt Disney film did not do as good in America as in Europe. I suppose it was both the accents and the knowledge of the political situation in Scotland post the rising in 1745 that Americans did not appreciate or were ignorant of. This American certainly did.

Young David Balfour the heir to the manor of Shores has one big problem collecting his inheritance, the presence of his uncle who is the reigning laird. Uncle Ebenezer who is deliciously played by John Laurie arranges a snatch by a sea captain friend of his and David (James MacArthur) is to be sent to the Carolinas in the American colonies as an indentured servant.

On the boat young David whose politics and heritage make him a supporter of the Hanoverian George II who is the reigning King of Great Britain finds himself having to make common cause with Scottish soldier of fortune Alan Breck Stewart who is played by Peter Finch and boasts proudly of bearing the name of the true House that ought to be running things. He's a Jacobite, a supporter of the claim of James III, who is exiled in France and who fought at Culloden with Bonnie Prince Charlie.

These unlikely allies affect an escape from the ship and make their way back to the House of Shores to set things right. Being a Jacobite and by dint of that, a traitor in Hanoverian eyes makes it all the more dangerous for both of them.

James MacArthur, son of playwright Charles MacArthur and Helen Hayes, was a young Disney star during that period, doing a whole bunch of roles for Disney on the small and big screen. Peter Finch makes his second and last appearance in a Disney film, he was memorable as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Disney's Robin Hood film. They have a good easy chemistry between them and if it were not so the film wouldn't have worked at all.

Three other players of note here are Bernard Lee as the sea captain who kidnaps Balfour, Finlay Currie as a fellow Jacobite clan leader who gives Finch and MacArthur shelter, and Peter O'Toole who bests Finch in a bagpipe playing contest.

Robert Louis Stevenson died in Tahiti in 1894, but in his short life left us a remarkable output of literature like Treasure Island, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Master of Ballantrae, and so much more. Though he went to the South Seas for health reasons and a love of adventure, if that can be combined in one individual, his love of Scotland was never shown better than in Kidnapped and in this classic adaption of that story.

I loved the book, and began watching this Disney treatment quite sceptically, expecting huge changes in the plot and a completely different ending. But to my surprise it follows Stevenson's original text virtually to the letter. A number of events were left out, for reasons of budget and screen time, I suppose. But everything you see in the film is in the book with minimal variations.

The Scottish locations are fantastic, the art direction is excellent, the cameos by Currie, Malleson and Laurie are a joy to watch, and the pipe playing contest between Finch and O'Toole is unforgettable. It is obvious that James MacCarthur is in the film only because he was a raising star at Disney's at the time and they wouldn't use an unknown British boy instead. It makes sense, but of course we still would have liked to see a native Scot with a real accent instead of an American painfully trying to sound like a Scot. But he manages to get along anyway.

A perfect adventure film for a Saturday/Sunday matinée.

As good as cinema has been in retelling the Robert Louis Stevenson classic. It also happens to be my favourite novel, as it was the first I read (age 11) where the central character, David Balfour speaks with my accent and dialect. Furthermore, as a young man growing up I related to David's character, beliefs and values which reflect those of my own upbringing in a loving secure Lowland Scots Presbyterian (Church of Scotland) family. My biggest criticism is that the character of David as portrayed by James MacArthur spoke with the petulance of a spoiled American kid which did not ring true for a country bred but well educated Lowlander ,who is the recently orphaned son of a Dominie (parish schoolmaster). The late John Laurie played Ebenezer Balfour pretty much as I imagined him from reading the book. Peter Finch made a surprisingly good Alan Breck Stewart, and his speech patterns were faithful both to the book and to a Gaelic speaker speaking in Scots. Many of the incidental characters were well cast and acted as well. The two that stick in mind were the Carter (Tinker) and Jennet Clouston, both characters from whom David seeks direction to the House of Shaws. A great piece of wholesome family entertainment that credits the viewer with intelligence and knowledge of Stevenson's understanding of Scottish History.

When I watched this movie as a child, I was amazed and in awe by this adventure story that unfolded before me. In spite of the fact that I'm now older and more critical of the films I view, I couldn't help but admire the acting of Peter Finch and the others. Upon a recent viewing, I realized that much of the depth that makes this film so enjoyable was extremely overlooked in my youth. While the adventure is no "Jurassic Park," the story that unfolds about friendship, courage and determination allows me to recognize this film, not only as a childhood favorite, but as a timeless classic which I think people of all ages can and will enjoy. Rent it, buy it or borrow it--you won't be disappointed!

I am a big fan of Disney and Kidnapped! is no exception. While dragging in spots, it is a rollicking good time and very faithful to the spirit of Robert Louis Stevenson's fine book. The costumes, cinematography and sets are typically splendid, and the score is very rousing. The story is exciting with plenty of cool and intelligent moments and also some energetic action sequences, the script is literate, the direction is solid and we are further treated to a brilliant performance from Peter Finch in one of those roles I will best remember him by. The support performances are equally impressive, in particular it was great to see a handsome Peter O'Toole. Overall, a fine adaptation and for me one of the better live-action Disney films. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Kidnapped is my favourite book of all time.It says everything there is to say about true friendship and loyalty against all odds. I feel the same way about Walt Disney's glorious film version.Having always loved and admired Peter Finch,I dream about being David to his Alan; an adventure I live and re-live.Both book and film represent my ultimate fantasy. David Allen