Kidnapped

In 1751 Scotland, freshly orphaned teenager Roddy McDowall (as David Balfour) prepares to collect his estate, but a nasty uncle has other ideas. Although he survives a murder attempt, young McDowall is disposed of in another manner. He is "Kidnapped" and put aboard a ship bound for America, where he is to be sold into slavery. Luckily, McDowall meets rascally Dan O'Herlihy (as Alan Breck) and jumps ship. Back on dry land, they share danger, adventure and romance. The latter occurs when pretty brunette Sue England (as Aileen Fairlie) enters the picture, wearing a dress worn tight in the top...

For his second "Monogram" picture, McDowall keenly opted for Robert Louis Stevenson's classic "Kidnapped" adventure story. McDowall is fine as the young hero, but he is often left poised by a crew unable to go anywhere with their young star. The direction appears disengaged. For a low-budget studio, this "Kidnapped" was likely an enjoyable Saturday matinée. However, there is clearly a need for finer action and adventure on the screen. The addition of a timid romantic "love interest" isn't recommended, if you consider the original novel - but an additional pretty face helps a relatively dull adaptation.

***** Kidnapped (11/28/48) William Beaudine ~ Roddy McDowall, Dan O'Herlihy, Sue England, Roland Winters

Roddy McDowell (who was also executive producer for this film,) was the perfect David Balfour. His accent was more toward the English than the Scottish, but that can be overlooked. At McDowell's age in 1948, it was natural for him to play this role.

Having been a big fan of the original Stevenson novel, I was disappointed that they felt they had to add a "love interest." It completely changed the point of the movie. In the novel, the focus was upon the relationship between the two characters, Alan Breck and David Balfour; how they liked each other despite their severe political differences, and how they came to respect each other as well.

The addition of the girl just made it into a trite coming of age romance, with Alan Breck turning into hardly more than a colorful sidekick.

I also feel that Dan O'Herlihy played Alan Breck as an entirely too genteel a gentleman. Peter Finch captured him much more closely in the Disney film of 1960. Alan Breck was a gentleman, yes, but also a wild highlander with none of the daintiness affected by O'Herlihy.

The above reviewer made the exact points that I would make. Roddy McDowall was a natural for David Balfour, but the addition of a love interest spoiled the plot. They did the same thing in the 1938 version, only the love interest was for Warner Baxter's Alan Breck.

The only version of this tale to stick to the real Stevenson plot was the 1960 Disney version.

Also, I agree that Dan O'Herlihy made Alan Breck too genteel and dainty. Peter Finch fit the character. If only we could pluck Roddy McDowall out of 1948 and drop him down into 1960 to replace James MacArthur in the Disney version! --- Stan

'Bout half as good as Uncle Walt's version. Particularly egregious was substituting the sere brown hills of Agoura for Scotland! And while Dan O'Herlihy is a decent actor he's no Peter Finch. As for the two Macs, Dowell and Arthur, they're about the same. Give this version a C.

It's a good but cheap version of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel, with some good casting (Roddy McDowall as David Balfour, Dan O'Herlihy as Alan Breck) good scenic photography and a general level of competence -- a hallmark of the often despised William Beaudine, when given a half-decent budget. On the downside, the fight scenes are very badly choreographed, and I wonder why everyone in Scotland uses the same variety of sword, whether they're sailors, soldiers of the French king or elderly landowners, all with approximately equal levels of competence -- save O'Herlihy who, although he looks to be at the same level, can defeat three other men.

The story is one that has been remade many times, from a major production by Edison in 1917 to a TV movie in 2005. Stevenson basically basically invented the Young Adult Novel with this and TREASURE ISLAND, and his youthful heroes, strong stories and exciting adventures have made him a favorite for movie-makers. Although there are better versions of this story (I prefer the superbly cast Disney version), there's little to complain of in this one -- I have, in my usual manner, already done so -- and MacDowall's performance is perfect.