(Spoilers for both the book and movie). As to where exactly is Ballantrae, it was supposed to be somewhere in southwestern Scotland, but truthfully it existed in the mind of the sometimes-homesick novelist, Robert Louis Stevenson, who, in the book's preface, called himself "an exile." His novel is beautifully written, but is also episodic, dark, and ultimately tragic (the two brothers ultimately kill each other). It has a sense of isolation only an exile could have, and although one of Stevenson's best works, it doesn't lend itself to a Hollywood adaptation, the way "Kidnapped" and "Treasure Island" do.
The movie ends with the warring brothers in happy reconciliation; it also ends with a zesty, light-hearted spirit, completely at odds with Stevenson's dour irony, but completely in tune with Errol Flynn. Despite some comparable plotpoints, the film has little in common with the original novel's themes and characters. No matter; this movie is fun.
Yes, Flynn looks a little worn; a decadent life was leaving its mark on a beautiful face. However, he still looks fit and handsome, and his jaded, weary eyes actually suit his role. In my opinion, he never played a lustier character--not even Don Juan. Maybe the location shooting unleashed his impish side, because after the crew left Sicily to finish work in England, Flynn stayed on an extra two weeks, vacationing in the sun to his heart's content while he blithely held up cast and crew!
Flynn, with his happy amorality, may not be Stevenson's Master, but he is the master of Hollywood swashbucklers, and this is his fourth best one. It isn't up to "Adventures of Robin Hood" or even "The Sea Hawk" or "Adventures of Don Juan" but, like another reviewer, I'll take it over "Captain Blood."
The movie ends with the warring brothers in happy reconciliation; it also ends with a zesty, light-hearted spirit, completely at odds with Stevenson's dour irony, but completely in tune with Errol Flynn. Despite some comparable plotpoints, the film has little in common with the original novel's themes and characters. No matter; this movie is fun.
Yes, Flynn looks a little worn; a decadent life was leaving its mark on a beautiful face. However, he still looks fit and handsome, and his jaded, weary eyes actually suit his role. In my opinion, he never played a lustier character--not even Don Juan. Maybe the location shooting unleashed his impish side, because after the crew left Sicily to finish work in England, Flynn stayed on an extra two weeks, vacationing in the sun to his heart's content while he blithely held up cast and crew!
Flynn, with his happy amorality, may not be Stevenson's Master, but he is the master of Hollywood swashbucklers, and this is his fourth best one. It isn't up to "Adventures of Robin Hood" or even "The Sea Hawk" or "Adventures of Don Juan" but, like another reviewer, I'll take it over "Captain Blood."