The Master of Ballantrae

This version of the film, which gets about everything from the novel wrong in spite of a competent cast and some good location shots, is one that all of its participants -- all who are still living, that is -- seem never to mention. Michael York in particular goes through the whole thing with an ironic smugness that suggests no one was really taking Stevenson seriously. That's a pity, because it could have been a good old-fashioned action flick in the manner of its predecessors, but with an added cachet of great color and wide Scottish vistas. Truly a disappointment.

This is a better screened version of Robert Louis Stevenson's greatest novel sticking closer to the novel than the Errol Flynn version of 1953. By all means, it has to be admitted, that the Errol Flynn version is more colourful and flamboyant and dramatically more efficient, as it was made for the cinema screen, whereas the Michael York version was only made for television. Michael York is more true to the original very debatable double character of the heir than the superficially flamboyant Errol Flynn, while Richard Thomas as the younger brother Henry makes a very convincing character of his more difficult position true to the novel. Here is also John Gielgud as the old lord Durrisdeer, Brian Blessed as a splendid captain Teach, and, above all, Timothy Dalton as a wonderful colonel Burke, given some extra space here well needed to compensate his disappearance from the novel. Nevertheless, Stevenson isn't slaughtered here like in 1953, the novel is almost preserved intact, with the exception only of the end, which they couldn't resist the temptation of fixing up a little. Stevenson's great novel is a double tragedy of a complicated close relationship between two brothers both loving the same woman but only one getting her, while both film versions ignore the tragedy and makes an entertainment of the complicated story. Pity that this version couldn't stick to Stevenson till the end. That was the only thing wrong with it.

Two brothers flip a coin to see who rides off to join Prince Charlie's Jacobites while the other stays home to hold the family estate together. This leads to a series of disjointed adventures if varying interest.

I first read Robertson Louis Stevenson's novel as an adolescent, hoping for another TREASURE ISLAND, certainly his masterpiece. Alas, the novel failed to live up to my hopes. I've tried it several times since, thinking I was too young the first time to understand it. Alas.

What got me through this Hallmark version of the story was a superlative cast including some of my favorite actors. Michael York hams it up a bit, which shows up badly on the small screen. But Timothy Dalton (James Bond, 007) knows what he's doing and he's perfect, albeit with an Irish accent.

The only section of the novel I found had any life was with a wannabe Blackbeard called Captain Teach. What is it with Stevenson and pirates? Brian Blessed steps into Teach's sea boots and chews the scenery nicely in the best stretch of this long presentation.

The problem is a thoroughly unsympathetic hero. Michael York's "Master" is a total jerk. He should have learned a lesson in humility early on but he only gets worse.

It's not my favorite Stevenson yarn but it's tidily brought to life in a way they've never quite captured in "Treasure Island" movies despite decades of Long John Silver impersonators.

we thought this was a great film at our house. we have a large movie library and enjoy this film very much. we found the acting fine. The vistas are breath taking the musical score is excellent the relationship between characters comes off well. the plot moves along at the proper speed not to fast or slow i am not generally a richard tomas fan but i like him in here, he stretches his usually simple acting to something new and good. The movie and its message are profound. People who pan it i think do not understand it. the Errol Flinn version i do not care for at all. this has all the meat without the fluff. wish it would come out on DVD

The previous reviewer has commented,and quie rightly so,that this is a convoluted,hard-to follow screenplay.Well,it's really essential that one consider the original story.It's NOT a swashbuckler,but,rather a character study in a swashbuckling setting.The 2 brothers shown in this tale are actually the 2 sides of a total personality,seeking integration.(THAT was the entire point of Jeykll and Hyde.)It's been set during a perod of historical turbulence,in order for the drama to proceed.

There was an earlier production,filmed in 1953 or so,that was designed as a vehicle for Flynn.And,to be perfectly frank, that was about all that it was good for.It was a historical romance-pirate movie.This one at least makes some attempt to follow the original plot.And the cast does a good job with some confusing material.

HISTORICAL NOTE:The real Captain Teach(also known as Blackbeard)had been dead for almost 28 years before this story opens.So,it's not accurate historically.But Mr. Blessed has so much fun with the character,playing hims as a psychotic version of Orson Welles,that it's immensely enjoyable.