The Adventures of David Balfour

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Movie
German title The Adventures of David Balfour
Original title Kidnapped
Country of production Germany , France , Austria , Switzerland
original language German
Publishing year Film year 1978
length 364 minutes
Age rating FSK 12
Rod
Director Jean-Pierre Decourt
script Eric Paice
production Walter Ulbrich
Peter Graham Scott
music Vladimir Cosma
camera Brian Morgan
occupation

The adventures of David Balfour is a four-part television adventure film from 1978, which was shown in Germany as part of the ZDF series - Advent / Adventure Quarter. The novels Die Entführung served as a template . The Adventures of David Balfour by Shaw ( Kidnapped ) and Catriona ( Catriona ) by Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson . The main roles were played by Ekkehardt Belle , David McCallum and Aude Landry .

The film was produced by Walter Ulbrich and Peter Graham Scott and deals with the struggle of the supporters of the House of Stuart for the crown of Scotland and England.

action

Part 1: (ZDF, December 8, 1978)

Scotland in 1751 - a time when the Scottish Highlands are still viewed with suspicion by the government after the 1745 rebellion. Seventeen-year-old David Balfour is sent to his uncle's house near Edinburgh after the death of his father. He takes the village pastor's warning with him on the journey to stay away from the Scottish highlands, the Jacobites . But David threatens from his uncle Ebenezer. First of all, Ebenezer tries to kill his nephew by falling down the handrailless staircase in the dark and thunderstorms. But David survives and Ebenezer's latest plan succeeds, Ebenezer lures him on board the Brigantine Covenanter to have him deported to America. The young rebel daughter Catriona goes in search of David. David is being shackled on board. The only one David has confidence in on the ship is Alan Breck, envoy for the Scottish heir to the throne and a feared rebel. The captain wants to have Breck murdered, but David thwarts the plans.

Part 2: (ZDF, December 10, 1978)

After the fall of the Brigantine Covenanter , David got away with his life again. When a highlander tries to attack him on land, he shows him a button that assures him of help with all Stewart supporters. David learns that Alan Breck is waiting for him at his uncle James Stewart's house. On the way there he is involved in an assassination attempt. David is suspected of complicity in the murder that Breck is alleged to have committed.

The escape through the highlands with Alan, whom he finds again, brings hardship and adventure. Catriona, who stayed on David’s heels, can also help them. Eventually they return to Edinburgh. Here David wants to enforce the inheritance claim against his uncle.

Part 3: (ZDF, December 12, 1978)

The murder of Colin Campbell spreads wider circles. David Balfour, suspected of aiding and abetting, can convince the powerful Attorney General Lord Prestongrange of his innocence. But his testimony, which exonerates the alleged leader James Stewart, is not recorded. For political reasons, you need a victim. Stewart is about to be put on trial. David is horrified. When an innocent man is exposed to the hangman, he no longer wants to be silent. With this David puts himself in danger. To prevent him from testifying in the process, David is kidnapped to an island.

Part 4: (ZDF, December 17, 1978)

David, who is being held on an island, can no longer prevent the execution of the death sentence against James Stewart.

He goes to Holland to study in Leyden. On the ship he meets Catriona again, who is going to follow her father James More. David wants to marry her, but she refuses. In the meantime, David has learned that his uncle's death made him rich. Alan Breck visits him in Leyden and receives a mysterious message from James More. At the last second they discover that More is planning to have Alan kidnapped to Scotland. The project fails. The impoverished father leaves Catriona and David alone for their happiness.

One day Catriona and David will happily return to Scotland while Alan stays in France.

Others

The novel Kidnapped is one of the often filmed works by Robert Louis Stevenson.

The first film was made in 1917 with Raymond McKee as David Balfour.

Further films:

literature

  • Robert Louis Stevenson : The Abduction. The Adventures of David Balfour by Shaw. Roman (Original title: Kidnapped ). German by Curt Thesing . Robert Louis Stevenson: Works (Volume 3). Diogenes, Zurich 1997, 356 pp., ISBN 3-257-20704-2
  • Robert Louis Stevenson: Catriona. A sequel to "The Abduction" (original title: Catriona ). German by Marguerite Thesing . Robert Louis Stevenson: Works (Volume 4). Diogenes, Zurich 1996, 445 pages, ISBN 3-257-20705-0
  • Oliver Kellner & Ulf Marek: Seewolf & Co. - The great adventure four-part series of ZDF , Schwarzkopf and Schwarzkopf, ISBN 3896026321

DVD

  • A DVD edition of The Adventures of David Balfour was released in August 2007 by Concorde Home Entertainment.

music

  • Adventure classics - Treasure Island, Sea Wolf, Leather Stockings ... - 2CD, BSC Music, prudence 398.6619.2
  • Kidnapped (The Adventures of David Balfour), CD, Pomme Music 950662 (also contains the music from "The Roses of Dublin")

Web links