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. First published in 1886, Kidnapped — a gripping adventure story full of drama, poignancy, heroism and danger — surpasses even Treasure Island as a sophisticated literary work masquerading as a ripping yarn for young readers. A South Pacific Pictures production for CBBC.
No bad language or adult scenes, which is a big [RARE] plus. And more negatively, the ending seemed a little too happily-ever-after sweet. Everything worked out. Not too realistic. But I admit, I liked it that way! This is one adventure movie my family plans to see again. – Viewer
Shown on PBS Masterpiece Theatre.
May be suitable for older children.