Rob Roy (1995)
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An 18th-century Scottish highlander must navigate a web of debt, betrayal, and violence to protect his family and honor.
The story
Set in Scotland in 1713, the film follows a fictionalized Robert Roy MacGregor of Clan MacGregor. While providing protection against cattle rustling for the Lowland gentry, MacGregor struggles to feed his own people. To alleviate their poverty, he borrows £1,000 from the Marquess of Montrose to establish himself as a cattle raiser and trader. However, his plans are jeopardized when his aristocratic relative, Archibald Cunningham, arrives at Montrose's estate. Cunningham, a violent sociopath and skilled swordsman, murders MacGregor's friend to steal the money, plunging MacGregor into a desperate struggle to recover his debt and protect his land.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1713 Scotland, Rob Roy MacGregor borrows £1,000 from the Marquess of Montrose to start a cattle trade. His relative, the sociopathic Archibald Cunningham, steals the money and murders MacGregor's friend. When MacGregor refuses to falsely testify against the Duke of Argyll to clear the debt, Montrose declares him an outlaw. Cunningham rapes MacGregor's wife, Mary, and burns their crofts. MacGregor eventually abducts the factor Killearn to force a confession against Cunningham. After several more acts of violence and the death of MacGregor's brother Alasdair, MacGregor is captured and tortured by Cunningham. He is sentenced to be hanged but escapes by looping his rope around Cunningham's throat and jumping off a bridge. Mary later exposes Montrose's schemes to the Duke of Argyll, who grants the family asylum. The film culminates in a duel between MacGregor and Cunningham; despite being outmatched by Cunningham's sword skills, MacGregor manages to fatally strike his enemy with a broadsword, finally clearing his debts and restoring his honor.
- First release year
- 1995
- Runtime (minutes)
- 139
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Michael Caton-Jones
- Writers
- Alan Sharp · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Liam Neeson · Rob Roy MacGregor; Jessica Lange · Mary MacGregor; John Hurt · James Graham, 4th Marquess of Montrose; Tim Roth · Archibald Cunningham; Eric Stoltz · Alan McDonald; Brian Cox · Killearn; Brian McCardie · Alasdair MacGregor; Andrew Keir · John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll
- Genres
- historical; biographical; drama
- Themes
- Honor; Debt; Betrayal; Revenge
- Tone and mood
- Historical; Action; Dramatic
- Premise and plot tags
- Historical Drama; Biographical; Action; Romance; Revenge
- Source material / true-story basis
- Historical biography of Rob Roy MacGregor
- Content notes
- Rape
- Reception
- The film received a generally positive critical response, being described as an old-fashioned swashbuckler with fine performances. While some critics praised its action and character studies, others found it ponderous or criticized its portrayal of the protagonist's obsession with honor.
- Awards and nominations
- BAFTA Award · Best Actor in a Supporting Role · Won
- Production trivia
- The film was conceived as a Western set in the Scottish Highlands.; The character of Cunningham is fictional but based on Henry Cunningham Esq.; The uniforms of the Scottish soldiers derive from an era after the story told.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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