Rob Roy, The Highland Rogue (1954)

If you're looking for a perfect swashbuckler in which people sound like stage Scots, ye can nae do better than this movie about the Scottish cattle thief and protection racketeer whom the early 18th-Century press, along with highwaymen, romanticized into heroes; the magnificently idiotic image was perfected by Sir Walter Scott and so we have this flick.Disney went full English with this, shooting at Elstree and the Highlands with a British cast, and the care shows, particularly with Guy Green's beautiful oil-painting Technicolor lighting. Richard Todd gives a fine performance in the traditional, anachronistic costume; Glynis Johns (who is still with us as I write this) has never been cuter; Finlay Currie was never more Scottish; and John Robertson Justice, as the Duke of Argyll, plays his role as befitting a man whose name is John Robertson Justice, even though his real middle name was Norval.

I am surprised this has a 6.6 rating.This was a classic I watched again and again as a kid.Plenty of action, rousing patriotism, singing, dancing, light romance, and manly speeches/battles to go around.This is from the era when Disney knew the basic formula for success, family values, and how to deliver a good story with a historical background, even if liberties were taken.Richard Todd is believable; tough and cunning, he also provides some humor as well. He often reminds me of Odysseus, in his protracted journey abroad and home again, using his wiles and determination to defeat his enemies and survive.Todd's version is WAY BETTER than that Liam Neeson reboot that came later. I was excited to see a modern adaptation of Rob Roy, but the Neeson thing just didn't cut it for me. Way too many boring scenes that grew tedious, with no payoff. Neeson himself didn't bring the mischief and energy of the role that Todd was brimming with. A couple of scenes are good from the later one, and I still watch it occasionally, but it really wasn't the amazing remake I hoped for. I felt they wasted a good opportunity to bring this to a new audience, and it fell flat, with little excitement or battles to showcase, nor the intrigue back in England.This was sort of the first version of a Braveheart film, noting the fiery Scottish rebellions against English rule that had gone on for years.The only thing I can really detract from the earlier film, is the fact that it is a little cheesy, and takes liberties, as most movies do. It puts more of a light-hearted spin on certain things(though much of it is nicely dark and tense), and runs wild with history at times.

The third and last of his British made films with Richard Todd is Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue. As per a Disney family audience it's a lot more upbeat than the Nineties version of this same tale that starred Liam Neeson.It's after the 1715 uprising and James Robertson Justice as the Duke of Argyll wants to bring peace to Scotland as he's figured out the Stuarts ain't coming back. But his aide Lord Montrose has a wholly different agenda going and it involves a special if unspecified grudge he has against the MacGregor Clan as headed by Richard Todd.Anyway in many attempts they just can't seem to capture Todd or intimidate the MacGregors. The Earl of Montrose is played by Michael Gough and his bloodthirsty aide is played with special relish by Geoffrey Keen.Rob Roy is not quite up to the excellence of Robin Hood and The Sword and the Rose, but Richard Todd is earnest and athletic and every inch a Scottish hero. There was definitely a special eye for the customs and mores of Eighteenth Century Scotland in the making of Rob Roy. And it holds up well after over half a century.

This Walt Disney (early, when Walt Disney Production was synonymous with wholesome family fare - poor Walt!) film, was actually part of a trilogy contracted with British actors Richard Todd and James Robertson Justice (The Sword and the Rose & The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men were the other two). The lovely Glynis Johns, who plays Rob's wife, portrays a charming Mary Tudor in the Sword and the Rose, but is absent from 'Robin Hood'. Joan Rice is delightful as Maid Marion, but ....Admittedly, one shouldn't substitute 'Highland Rogue' for a documentary on Scottish history of the period. However, there is more than enough accuracy to explain the attitudes and conflicts of the time.Richard Todd shows, clearly, why he was one of the top British film stars of his time and why he was a popular North American import for both stage and screen . He was one of the most passionately animated actors to achieve leading man status. His dark good looks, range of expression, and obvious athleticism (he served as a paratrooper in WWII) complemented his energetic performances.Those who, after watching him, have wondered why he didn't have even greater success in North America, should remember two things: Britain, aflame with patriotic fervor after the war, had a very strong film industry of its own; therefore, many actors felt no desire to join Hollywood's 'British Colony'. Also, Todd fell slightly short, pardon the pun, of North America's standard for romantic leading men.For those concerned about coarse language, explicit sex, or graphic violence when selecting family viewing - this is a keeper. The historic struggle, warm interaction between the stars, and humour should satisfy the more mature members, while the bright colours and action sequences should appeal to all.I first saw this movie about 45 years ago and 3 scenes stayed with me until 'my good woman' was able to find a copy for me last year. (Since I watch it every month, she uses it as one of her arguments when she feels a need to remind me why I should appreciate her so much!) I also heartily recommend the other two movies from the trilogy as wonderful family viewing.