Scottish orphan David Balfour is betrayed by his wicked uncle Ebeneezer, who arranges for David to be kidnapped and sold into slavery so that he cannot claim his inheritance. The boy is rescued and befriended by Alan Breck, a Scottish rebel fighting on behalf of his country's independence from the British.
Acting
Caine commits HARD to the accent and chaos.
Cinematography
Scotland looking impossibly dramatic and damp.
Costume
Kilts, waistcoats, and 18th-century drip on point.
Director
Delbert Mann
Michael Caine
Alan Breck
Lawrence Douglas
David / David Balfour
Vivien Heilbron
Catriona / Catriona Stewart
Trevor Howard
Lord Advocate
Jack Hawkins
Captain Hoseason
Donald Pleasence
Ebenezer Balfour
Gordon Jackson
Charles Stewart
Freddie Jones
Cluny
Jack Watson
James Stewart
Peter Jeffrey
Riach
Geoffrey Whitehead
Lt. Duncansby
Andrew McCulloch
Andrew
Claire Nielson
Barbara Grant
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was one of Disney's rare non-musical live-action epics of the era, meant to compete with grittier prestige films.
The 1971 release deliberately capitalized on renewed Scottish nationalism, making the Jacobite rebellion weirdly timely.
GB
