David Niven Boxset - Screen Icons - Bonnie Prince Charlie
(1948)
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An exiled prince determined to free his native Scotland from the yoke of English oppression, in this grand and sweeping British film epic. Niven is at his swashbuckling best as he reunites the great Scottish Clans and sweeps into England, carrying all before him. London - and victory - beckons. But for all their courage and devotion, the Scots are still no match for the professional English army. Rout and massacre follow and the Prince is forced into hiding, with an entire army on his trail. |
Mauled by the British press on its original release, this shoddy costume drama must rank as one of the worst films ever made in this country. The great Alexander Korda acted as executive producer and it was written by playwright Clemence Dane, but it contains some quite dreadful dialogue delivered in atrocious accents by an all-star cast led by a hopelessly miscast David Niven. The studio sets look homemade, but they are nowhere near as embarrassing as Ian Whyte's twee, cliché-ridden score. Only cinematographer Robert Krasker and Margaret Leighton as Flora MacDonald emerge with any credit. A very sorry episode indeed.