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Bonnie Prince Charlie

1948, Movie, NR, 140 mins

Bonnie Prince Charlie: Review

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A rousing adventure film with Niven in one of his best roles as Charles Stuart, who claimed the British throne since the Stuarts had been kings of Scotland and England for several hundred years until the House of Hanover usurped them. The film opens with the young prince sailing from France and landing in Scotland in 1745. He has difficulty in persuading many clan members that he is, indeed, the real Prince Charles, but Scots patriots Leighton, Currie, and others manage to convince the clan leaders that he is who he says he is. The clans rally to his side; in one stirring scene Niven addresses the collected thousands, urging them to follow him in overthrowing the cruel monarchy of George II (Miller). Wearing the colorful garb of the clansmen, kilts and cloaks of bright tartans, marching to the high whine of the bagpipes and flashing great swords, the clans march off with Niven toward England. The first battles with the British prove to be victories, but a powerful British army meets the Scots on the Culloden Moor near Inverness and destroys the clans (an historic battle that took place in 1746). Niven and his aides flee and the rest of the film becomes a long and often harrowing chase as British troops attempt to hunt down the Pretender. Leighton, who is in love with Niven, manages to spirit him to the coast where he sails for France and historical oblivion. The film is a straightforward historical account of the last Stuart's attempt to reclaim the throne, although it drags in spots and Niven looks strange wearing a thick blond wig. Alexander Korda reportedly spent more than $4 million mounting this epic, a lavishness which does not really show in the sets. Korda took a sympathetic approach to the plight of the Pretender (Niven plays him as a kind-hearted, gentle soul to offset the brutish image of Miller's King George) and even directed some of the early scenes in the movie before hiring director Kimmins. The film, however, suffers from too much dialog in what is essentially an action movie. The British have a soft spot for Prince Charlie in their historic hearts, much the same way Americans look upon Robert E. Lee; both were noble and great men who led lost causes. Niven's superb performance sustains an otherwise empty epic. leave a comment
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