Kidnapped

I'm not sure why the Disney version of Kidnapped gets a bad rap. True, the special effects are not believable, but for its time period it is not a bad film portrayal of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel. For starters, it was filmed on location in Scotland and at England's Pinewood studio, and featured almost exclusively UK and not US actors so that the accents would sound authentic. And although there were some parts skipped over, the production was very much trying to adhere to the novel as much as possible. I have heard that perhaps the 1971 version with Michael Caine as Alan Breck Stewart might be better, especially since it brings in some of the sequel novel Catriona, but I haven't had the opportunity to see that one. For someone who had just read the novel and was interested in seeing how my mind's envisioning of the Scottish highlands compared with a movie version, it was a nice watch. I think what would have made the movie better would have been more authentic music. Even in the novel Alan Breck is either whistling or singing "Hey, Johnny Cope!" at one point. Would have been nice to have some more of those tunes in here, especially maybe the "Skye Boat Song" as Stevenson wrote the more famous English lyrics.

This is good, clean entertainment

While the dialog is challenging for an American ear, it is stimulating and carries the mix of political turmoil in Scotland at the time. The Scot scenery is lovely, the actors had been very well cast. Very absorbing and the extremely pleasant and respectful treatment of the Christian faith is highly appreciated.

He'd been wanting it for a very long time. So it was a great Birthday present all the way from England! Wow.

Kidnapped! has been a favorite of mine for years, judging by how many times I played the VHS copy I bought. I was let down by the fact that the DVD copy as not available in stores. Another irriation was that the DVD has no special features whatsoever--and it deserves them if this is going to be a DVD that is only available to Disney insiders. Well, I've got it at last. I only wish the House of Mouse had been less thrifty with this release. James MacArthur, Peter O'Toole and a few others were still alive when this format was chosen and should have at least appeared to offer their recollections about the film---but nothing! I'm vaguely hoping that when Disney finally releases "CHILD OF GLASS" on DVD that they will pad the special features with cast and crew input. Buy Kidnapped on DVD and be up to date, but this isn't much more than a VHS copy that has learned a few more tricks. Hungering Artist, August 2010.

There are to many things lacking in this film to call it great.1. The story, I realize that this is an adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson book. But the story just isn’t very interesting.2. Pace, there were places in the movie where I wish I knew more about the characters, but things moved very quickly to the next scene.3. THE ACCENTS: I honestly had a hard time understanding what was being said. Perhaps the American audience wasn’t the primary focus. I know Disney was churning out several movies at this tie for the British audience.The movie though isn’t a total miss. The aim characters were portrayed well and I loved the scenery.In short I’d pass on this one. Get Treasure island instead.

As a family we recently read out loud and loved the classic Robert Louis Stevenson book. It's always hard for a movie to live up to a book that is loved. We felt that both David and Alan were both miscast, and were not able to convey the dashing vibrancy and extraordinary bond between the two characters. The screenplay was okay in its attempt to extract a 90 minute telling respectful of the book's tale, and at some key moments literally cut language directly from the book into an actor's mouth. A few of the supporting actors were vivid and their characters were compelling, for example, Ebenezer and Ransome. But, what makes the book so great is David and Alan's hearts and humanity, and the actors fall short of bringing this to life.

I'm watching all the film versions of KIDNAPPED and this is by far the best -- most of the dialog is taken from the book, and they follow the plot closely, too. Peter Finch is definitely the best Alan Breck: swashbuckling, warm-hearted, generous, and open. The scene of him and Peter O'Toole as Macgregor playing the pipes is hilarious.....the young man who plays David Balfour is a bit wooden, but I can forgive that as the rest of it is so good. It's true to the SPIRIT of the book.Ironically,the script was written by Robert Stevenson -- no relation.

This atmospheric 1950s Disney version is a first rate evocation of the novel..Peter Finch as Alan Breck Stewart is superior to Michael Caine in the later version and Peter O'Toole makes a notable screen debut as a bagpipe playing Highland clansman..

A most enjoyable film for family viewing.

the DVD arrived promptly and in good order. It is the best and most faithful version of this story on film.

Wonderful old fashioned children's/family film. That does not, however, detract from some great character portrayals by Finch, Currie, Laurie and the rest of the cast. This was a trip down memory lane for me and I'll certainly be revisiting from time to time! "They don't make 'em like ..."

I thoroughly enjoyed this DVD, especially as I had recently read Stevenson's exciting novel and found the film to be remarkably faithful in plot and action to the book.