MovieChat Forums > Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue (1954) Discussion > Some Very Good Elements Not Used As Well...

Some Very Good Elements Not Used As Well As They Could Have Been

posted 11 years ago by tobian85
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Beautiful, evocative locale, set in a tumultuous time. Some wonderful leads--Richard Todd, Glynis Johns, James Robertson Justice, Michael Gough--plus a strong supporting cast. Lovely costumes, stirring music.

But the film as a whole...could have been a lot better. As a HUGE fan of Richard Todd's two previous Disney properties--The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men and The Sword and the Rose --I derive no pleasure in acknowledging the conspicuous weakness of Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue. Perhaps, as another poster on this MB noted, the fault lay largely with the change in directors: Harold French, whatever he may have accomplished with other films, does not appear to have had the deft touch of Ken Annakin.

Whatever the reasons for the drop-off in quality shown in this film, Disney could have had a magical trilogy of British-made, -set, and -acted movies. Instead, they ended up with two excellent pieces and one mediocre follow-up. A disappointment and a shame, imho.

[–] silverwhistle 10 years ago

Agreed. Still, it's a fun film, and at least doesn't pretend to be historically accurate/'the true story': it's as much a confection as Robin Hood.

For me, the best things in it are:
James Robertson Justice as 'Red John of the Battles': OK, he doesn't look like him, but he's a great actor and can actually do a Highland accent. I would have loved to see him in one of the lead roles if they'd ever filmed Neil Munro's The New Road.

Jean Taylor Smith as Lady Margaret: great to see a handsome, heroic middle-aged female lead – definitely my girl-crush in this film. I was really sorry she was killed off: the revenge narrative didn't need it – there would have been just as much of a motivation, had she recovered from her wound (not that Helen appeared to be much use at first aid!).

I should also add (if you're a Richard Todd fan) that his then-wife was my Gran's second-cousin, and while they were in the Highlands filming Rob Roy, they visited our family!

Seingner Conrat, tot per vostr'amor chan
http://www.silverwhistle.co.uk/knightlife