Les aventures de David Balfour

This version of Kidnapped was well acted and beautifully produced. I was pleased to find that other viewers enjoyed the production as much as I did. It has been a disappointment that it was never re-run. If I recall correctly it was broadcast in the United States by Turner Productions. It is also unfortunate that it was not released on video.

This is a great movie, with only one problem: you cannot buy a copy and it was only shown on TV in the USA once that I know of, in the early 1980's. I hope someone will get the idea to show it again, and make it available for purchase on DVD or VHS. I have never seen a better version of this movie. It really captures the spirit of Scotland at the time. I would put it up against Braveheart or any of the Lord Of The Rings movies. The music alone stirs the blood of anyone with Celtic blood, or a Celtic spirit. The fight scenes are most excellent. I hope someone who has the power to get this movie out for everyone to see it again will do so. If someone knows if there is a DVD or VHS copy out please post a message on here.

The intriguing story of a young man in search of his home through Scotland during English occupation. Young David Balfour travels through the Highlands to get back what's his, all the time hiding from the English and meeting all kinds of people. The series includes a remarkable piping contest - quite funny - which leads me to the musical score: The title melody is hauntingly beautiful. It reminds you of great Celtic folklore, songs like Amazing Grace or Danny Boy. If you get the chance: watch it, it's truly worthwhile.

If you like it, I'll recommend "Matt and Jenny" from about the same time. A Canadian TV production about two children in search for their parents through Canada.

I saw this when it was originally screened in 1978 or 1979 - I was just a little kid at the time. I was living in Argyll, Scotland - real Gaelic country/landscape, so the programme really resonated with me. It was repeated in 1980 or 1981 but after that i never heard anything about it until circa 1991 the first two or three episodes, edited together, were released on video briefly, by a company called VideoGem. I was surprised by its quality - I thought my childhood memories may have exaggerated its appeal. Some of the acting - particularly David Balfour - is slightly wooden; on the other hand , a lot of it is very good - notably David McCallum as Alan Breck Stewart. The episodes I saw on video included original material that doesn't feature in the book; but unlike typical Hollywood 'adaptations' some of this material is quite worthy - including a scene that suggests the relationship between the Scots tenants and the Stewarts-in-exile was more about extortion than loyalty. As for the video release, I don't think it sold very well, as I never saw any further releases of the remaining episodes, which was a great disappointment.

I agree that it was easily the best adaptation I've ever seen, and it would be great to see the whole series released on video. If I remember rightly, the series also adapted at least some of the sequel 'Catriona'.

It seems like ever such a long time ago that this series was shown in the UK - the fact that I remember it so well after such a long time speaks for itself! Very well acted, and filmed, and with a very evocative soundtrack - this production brings the story to life, and includes a lot of scene/parts of the story that are often left out of other productions.

Definitely a very definitive production of the story, and definitely the very best. Along with a lot of people, I would love to own a copy - is this possible.. ?? Whoever owns the copyright - PLEASE - release it for sale - PLEASE!! It's SO good! I'm sure it would sell well and be very much worth your while....