Rob Roy (1995)

"Rob Roy" came out in 1995 with a couple other heroic swordplay films: "Braveheart" and "First Knight." I rank "Rob Roy" on a par with "Braveheart," even though the two films shouldn't really be compared since "Rob Roy" focuses on the conflict of individuals in Old Scotland and "Braveheart" focuses more on whole armies battling.WHAT WORKS: First of all, the location cinematography of the Scottish Highlands is breathtaking (far better than "Braveheart"). Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange are fine in their parts as Rob Roy and his wife. The sword-fighting (between individuals) is perhaps the best ever in cinematic history. The film also possesses a completely realistic vibe -- no anachronisms or campy humor here; the pic really helps one realize what life was like in rural Scotland 300 years ago.What works best, to my mind, is Tim Roth's outstanding performance as Rob Roy's foppish-but-deadly nemesis. This is truly a villain you love to loathe. The Roth character (I forget his name) is so over-the-top foppish that he appears effeminate; but this is only a disguise as he's actually a ruthless master swordsman. Surely this is one of film's top villains ever! (It doesn't sound right to say "good villain," does it?).WHAT DOESN'T WORK: The story itself doesn't have a lot of drive from beginning to end (unlike, say, "Last of the Mohicans" [1992]). One's attention may wander at points. Of course this may not be an entirely bad thing in light of the schizophrenic editing of many films post-"Armageddon." (In other words, the leisurely pace can be refreshing).WHAT MAY OR MAY NOT WORK FOR SOME PEOPLE: There are aspects of extreme sexual brutality (a rape scene) and vulgarity (a man shoves his fingers up a woman's nightgown); as well as overt love-making -- definitely material not appropriate for children. There are also overt scenes of, believe it or not, urination; many may regard this as needless, but (for me) it helped drive home the point of what every-day life was like back then (e.g. Where do you pee if you're living in a shack out in the hills? Or, in the middle of the night, if there's no upstairs bathroom?).The story's lack of drive prevents "Rob Roy" from attaining true greatness in my mind, but the positive aspects noted above definitely achieve greatness. Certainly worthy of one's DVD library.GRADE: B

Heavily romanticized account of a real life 18th century outlaw, Robert "Rob Roy" MacGregor (Neeson), here portrayed as a Scottish Robin Hood. MacGregor borrows money from his landowner (Hurt), only to have it stolen by the landowner's right hand man and a most dastardly villain (Roth). To add to injury to insult, the villain rapes Ferguson's wife (Lange) and torches his farm. Soon, Rob Roy is on the run and plotting revenge. Long and talky, nevertheless this epic boasts lush photography and locations, and the sets and costumes feel authentic enough. Brian "Hannibal Lecter" Cox has a meaty role as an uneasy bad guy. Besides Robin Hood, the title character is highly reminiscent of movie antiheroes like Jesse James and Billy the Kid. At the time, Neeson may not have seemed like the best choice to portray an action hero, but he does just fine. And what an action hero he has become in recent years! Who da thunk it?

Rob Roy is directed by Michael Caton-Jones and written by Alan Sharp. It stars Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Eric Stoltz, Andrew Keir and Brian Cox. Music is by Carter Burwell and cinematography by Karl Walter Lindenlaub.Neeson is Rob Roy MacGregor, an 18th Century Scottish historical figure who borrows £1,000 from the Marquis of Montrose (Hurt) with the plan to improve his clan's way of life. But the money is stolen in transit by the dastardly Archibald Cunnigham (Roth), so unable to repay the loan, Roy is forced to live as an outlaw. From such seeds are legends born.Beautifully shot on location in parts of the Scottish Highlands, Rob Roy somewhat got lost in the slip stream of Mel Gibson's Braveheart. A shame, for although not as epic or as rousing as Gibson's Oscar grabber, Caton-Jones' film is a different, more reflective, type of historical piece. Thematically the film is a play on virtues, in fact it's a trumpet playing fanfare for such. Honesty, honour, loyalty, fidelity and love nestle in nicely with the wonderful landscapes, born out by Sharp's intelligent script. But that's not to say that the director hasn't got the requisite thrust of stirring adventure within, he has, and Rob Roy rewards in that department also. The films crowning glory is a climatic sword fight, no tricks or hard to believe heroics, just an expertly shot long sequence that's choreographed sublimely by William Hobbs and Robert G. Goodwin. While Carter Burwell's score sits nice with the visual treats; even if the Gaelic strains within the orchestration sound more Irish than Scottish.Cast work well. Although Neeson looks the part as the robust Roy, there's no need for dashing here, character calls for strength of mind and body, as well as emotional fortitude with the love of his family, Neeson plays it with ease. Lange, an interesting casting choice as the missus, shorn of make up, yet still naturally sexy, she gives Mary MacGregor believable strength. But it's undeniably Tim Roth's movie, part effeminate fop, part calculating bastard, his villainous turn as Archibald Cunningham has to be seen to be believed. He was rightly nominated for an Academy Award for his efforts. The rest impact well, Cox and Hurt, great pros as always, and Stoltz too, isn't found wanting. There's some iffy accents at times, so what's new? And if I'm to be churlish, then it often feels wrong in period. But they are small complaints in what is otherwise a smart and lovely splinter from the swashbuckling tree. 8/10

Braveheart stole all of Rob Roy's thunder in 1995. Both movies are about a Scottsman seeking justice against his English antagonists. Both draw upon Scottish folk heroes and both take liberty with history to make good cinema. Where the two differ is in scale and character. Braveheart is filled with huge battle scenes and the story is similarly epic, encompassing all of Scotland and England. Rob Roy, for the most part, is about a single man defending his family and honor against those who have wronged him.Robert Roy MacGregor (Liam Neeson) borrows money from, Montrose (John Hurt), an English lord, in order to purchase cattle to drive and sell at market. Two of the lord's household Killearn (Brian Cox) and Archibald Cunningham (Tim Roth) conspire to steal the money and frame MacGregor's friend Alan MacDonald (Eric Stoltz) after murdering him. With no means of repaying the debt, Montrose offers Rob Roy a deal, bear false witness against a rival lord and the debt will be forgiven. Rob Roy refuses to dishonor himself and becomes an outlaw instead leading to English reprisals and Scottish raids.The movie is character driven and Tim Roth was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the villainous Archibald Cunningham, who is truly a man to be despised and reviled. Liam Neeson's portrayal of Rob Roy is honorable and stoic, with just a bit of hero thrown in. The plot may not be larger than life but the cinematography, setting, and acting are. In many ways Rob Roy is a better film than Braveheart but, alas, it has gone largely unnoticed.