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Simply A Masterpiece

Great Film overall

good back-story, and good acting

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

I am a direct descendant of Robert Stevenson, the grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson, so I guess I owe it to my cousin to have my thoughts on this movie published. Fortunately, this is one of the better Monogram films. It was produced by Roddy McDowall and Ace Herman. When you look at the cast line-up, you see some good names there including of course, Roddy McDowall himself (perfectly cast as a convincing, young David), and Dan O' Herlihy (cutting a fine figure as Alan Breck). Our old friend, Roland Winters, much more animated than usual, hands in a good account of Captain Hoseason, while Jeff Corey, Houseley Stevenson, Alex Frazer and Olaf Hytten submit admirable portraits of many-sided villainy. The scriptwriter, W. Scott Darling, is to be commended for preserving so much of Stevenson's narrative and even his dialogue. It's a shame the direction by William Beaudine does not exactly capture our imagination. It's efficient but uninteresting. Fortunately, other production values are at least a cut above Monogram's none too stylish average.

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

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

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.