Disney was still on his classic adaptation kick when he decided to blow the dust off Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel. I've had a fondness for this book but it never quite breaks through to the top rank for me... the characters are great, David, his slimy uncle and especially Alan the soldier of fortune who does a little dance after a violent action. The story line is more problematic - after a terrific beginning it goes off into episodes with stuff about the murder of some officer that ambles. It feels like part one of something and indeed there was a sequel.
The film needed to be a bromance to work - that's what's in the book, the relationship between David and Alan. That doesn't really come across here.
Peter Finch is a decent enough Alan - maybe not entirely believable as a man of action, but fairly enigmatic. I did feel that Peter O'Toole, who has a small role towards the end as a highlander, would have been better value.
James MacArthur is okay as David. Very American yes but that's alright - it brings a contemporary feel. And his performance isn't bad - there's just not much chemistry between him and Finch.
There's pleasing location work in Scotland and a decent support cast. The treatment is respectful rather than full blooded. I always felt this story should have made David into a woman you could have played proper romance then.
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