Il vascello maledetto

Years ago, I read Stevenson's story, KIDNAPPED. When I watched this 1938 version of the story, I couldn't help but wonder if I was losing my mind, as so much of it seemed like it wasn't in the book--particularly the romantic subplot and quite a bit of the action. Well, when I later checked, I found that for once I wasn't losing my mind--the story was heavily re-worked and in many places it bore little similarity to the novel. Additionally, I was surprised that despite the story being set in Scotland, none of the characters sounded like Scots--having mostly American and a few English accents. In particular, I have always liked Warner Baxter as an actor, but here he sounds exactly the same as he did in practically all his films--like a nice but not particularly rugged American.

Yet despite all this, the story still was rather enjoyable and kept my attention throughout. Very nice looking sets and a basic story that is hard to screw up, it isn't surprising that the story still delivers. It's well worth a look, but considering that KIDNAPPED is such an easy read, I still recommend the book over this film.

Based on a novel by Stevenson,at the time when the Scottish rebels were fighting against the English king and his tax collectors .

The hero is a young boy,who recalls Jim Hawkins ,David Copperfield as well as John Mohune ("Moonfleet" );as could be expected ,this young "laird" does not take a rebel stand ,he trusts his king and he already speaks like a little man ,a true noble.His "initiation rites " like those of the other characters I mention take him to adulthood.

Best moment is the arrival in the wicked uncle's (a Dickensian character,a cross between Murdstone and Uriah Heep)castle ,a place where you eat porridge (ungenerous portions)and where a horror movie could take place.

The first of at least five versions (including the MTV one which is twice as long as the others).Well acted.

In 1747 Scotland, rebellious Warner Baxter (as Alan Breck) leads his men against British rule and becomes an outlawed traitor. Meanwhile, young teenager Freddie Bartholomew (a David Balfour) is at school when he learns his long-absent father has died and left him a letter to deliver to wealthy uncle Miles Mander (as Ebenezer Balfour). On the way to his castle, young Bartholomew witnesses an assassination. Because he knows the assassin's identity, Bartholomew is kidnapped by Mr. Baxter. For another reason, Bartholomew is pursued by Mr. Mander. Danger and adventure continue in earnest...

Based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson, but significantly altered to play up Baxter's character and his romance with pretty newcomer Arleen Whelan (as Jean MacDonald). Although it's not the first or last time an older star was paired with a much younger mate, it appears ill-fitting here. The script helps, a least, by acknowledging Ms. Whelan's youthful appearance, when she pretends to be Bartholomew's mother. Otherwise, this is an excellently produced adventure story. The scenes involving Bartholomew and Mander are especially well staged. "The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond" will have you humming.

******* Kidnapped, The Adventures of David Balfour (5/27/38) Alfred L. Werker ~ Freddie Bartholomew, Warner Baxter, Arleen Whelan, Miles Mander

A pro-peace film, typical of the Munich spirit in 1938. The movie, turn in 1938, is as far from Stevenson that Stevenson himself is -intentionally-from Walter Scott "Rob Roy" for instance.The end, with its pro-peace sentence with"love of country"etc.sounds particularly anachronistic. The plot also neglects the tower scene, which is shorted. We think of what Hitchcock could have done. The novel is such a good plot that something of it does remains in the film. But think of adding a romance in "Treasure Island"for instance..! The casting is good, particularly Freddie Bartholomew and of course Warner Baxter, although not Scottish at all. I appreciate also to find in a second-part John Carradine with his long thin face which could be so impressive in western films and also as the abominable Nazi Heydrich in "Hitler's Madman", some five years later, when the Second World War was at its climax.

For such a classic story, I've never seen a Kidnapped film adaptation that's really riveting. Of all the ones I've seen, though, I like the 1938 version the best. Freddie Bartholomew is adorable, and it's one of the last movies you can catch him in before he's all grown up. It's also one of the last swashbuckling roles you can see Warner Baxter in. He got replaced by Errol Flynn; but who's really complaining?

In this old black-and-white version, you'll see the very creepy introduction of Freddie to his uncle, Miles Mander. Freddie has just come into an inheritance, and Miles is desperate to take it away from him. "Your room is just up the stairs," he says, waiting down below for Freddie to fall to his death. But since the sweet little boy took first billing, it's a safe bet that he doesn't open the door and fall to his death.

If you like the famous book, or you've seen enough bad versions and are looking for a better one, check out the 1938 adaptation. It's not all bad, and there are some exciting sequences.