The Master of Ballantrae *** (1984, Michael York, Richard Thomas, John Gielgud, Timothy Dalton, Ian Richardson, Finola Hughes, Nickolas Grace, Brian Blessed) – Classic Movie Review 7280

Likeable hero Michael York swashbuckles impressively again in director Douglas Hickox’s spruce, fast-paced, well produced 1984 British-made TV version of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson adventure novel about the plot to put Bonnie Prince Charlie on the throne of England as two Scottish noblemen brothers – laird father Lord Durrisdeer (John Gielgud) ‘s sons Jamie Durie (Michael York) and his younger brother Henry (Richard Thomas) – are torn apart by the Jacobite rising of 1745.

It was nominated for three Primetime Emmys: Outstanding Art Direction for a Limited Series or a Special (John Biggs, Derek Nice), Outstanding Costume Design for a Limited Series or a Special (Olga Lehmann) and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special (John Gielgud).

Also in the vintage cast are Ian Richardson, Finola Hughes, Nickolas Grace, Brian Blessed, Don Henderson, Ed Bishop, John Hallam, Brian Coburn, Nick Brimble, James Cosmo, Pavel Douglas,  Donald Eccles, John Hallam and Andrew Panton.

The Master of Ballantrae is directed by Douglas Hickox, runs 150 minutes, is made by Columbia Pictures Television, HTV and Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, is released by CBS, is written by William Bast, based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, is shot by Roger Pearce, is produced by Patrick Dromgoole, is scored by Bruce Broughton and is designed by Derek Nice.

It is a remake of the 1953 Errol Flynn movie The Master of Ballantrae.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7280

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com