Stone Of Destiny Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
The Stone of Destiny retells the fascinating and true story of four young Glaswegian students who, in 1951, outwitted the British authorities in their successful attempt to take back the Stone of Scone - a beloved symbol of Scottish pride, back to its country of origin.
| Charlie Cox | Ian Hamilton |
| Kate Mara | |
| Billy Boyd | Bill Craig |
| Ciaron Kelly | Alan Stuart |
| Rab Affleck | Old Gypsy |
| Ross Bennie | 1950's Student |
| Robert Carlyle | John MacCormick |
| Alan Cuthbertson | Police Officer CID |
| Ron Donachie | Nightwatchman Murphy |
| Bryan Lowe | Brian, Obnoxious Student |
| Stephen McCole | Gavin Vernon |
| Iain McGregor | Abbey Worker |
| Johnny Meres | Detective Simpkins |
| Peter Mullan | Ian's dad |
| Charles Martin Smith |
8.00 out of 10 (56 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Nice looking comfortable film, but not much bite
posted on 17 Jul 2009Stone of Destiny is comfortable, it does not ask why the people of Scotland would want independence. It presents the theft as a student prank, which is supported by society. There is rarely harm in student pranks and the students do learn things, but as in this case they rarely change the world. So, it looks nice, but it would have been good to see more Scottish talent on display. I am very happy looking at Kate Mara on screen, having seen her in 'Shooter' she was one of the reasons that I went to see the film, she was a different character. They all handled their accents well enough for me not to notice, and the group worked well together. The production is well done, and looked right to my eyes for the time of the film. I think that the script could have been developed more. There is a repeated scene with characters running past each other. I did not walk out really understanding the basic desire that drove the theft of the stone.
An old fashioned but enjoyable movie.
posted on 17 Jul 2009Scotland 1950. Student Ian Hamilton, frustrated by what appears to be a lack of spirit in the people of Scotland, hatches a plan to steal the Stone Of Destiny from Westminster Abbey, and bring it home....The movie is based on a book written by Hamilton himself. Now, I've not read it, so I'm not sure what the author will think of the finished movie, but I enjoyed it. Written for the screen and directed by Charles Martin Smith, this is Scotland as portrayed by Americans. It's a romantic, sweeping place, full of downtrodden Scots. It's a view of Scotland that you only ever see in the movies. However, it fits the mood of the piece, as this movie does have an old-fashioned feel about it. It recalls the Ealing movies of the '50s, with the whole thing if not played out for laughs, then certainly with a lot of humour in the drama.The robbers, as portrayed by Charlie Cox, Kate Mara, Ciaron Kelly and Stephen McCole, come over as enthusiastic, if bumbling students who manage to steal the Stone through luck as much as anything else. The movie definitely sides with them.The cast which also includes Robert Carlyle, Peter Mullan and Billy Boyd are very good indeed, even if some of the accents don't convince.I'm not sure how historically accurate the movie is, but as a movie, while it does have an old-fashioned feel, it is enjoyable and good natured, and like Braveheart before it, make you proud to be Scottish!
Low budget but genuine film about rescuing the soul of a nation
posted on 05 Jul 2009This film is another worthwhile addition to the litany of low budget Scottish films. It's short on explosions and other spectacular effects; instead it majors on how the events in the film bring out the true selves of the key characters, while retaining a streak of slightly whimsical comedy. It reminded me very much of "On A Clear Day" -- indeed, one or two of the same actors appear -- but that film was about a man finding his own soul; this film is about finding the soul of a nation. Furthermore, it's true ... OK, so some of the events are re-ordered or omitted for dramatic effect, but much of what you see really did happen. Even the filming venues are genuine ... you really are seeing Glasgow University and you really are seeing the interior of Westminster Abbey. The music is genuinely Scottish too ... 'Wild Mountain Thyme' and 'Scots Wha Hae With Wallace Bled' form a lot of the backing music.See this if you enjoyed 'On a Clear Day'; to a lesser extent it's also like 'The Full Monty', 'Heartlands', and 'Braveheart'.
A Crazy Patriotic Idea
posted on 11 Jun 2009Scotland remains engulfed in its own history. One can see simply from the landscape that it is an ancient land, of many events and peoples that have led to its creation. One of its most ancient symbols is the Stone of Scone, which was present at every Scottish crowning ceremony until Edward the First (the arch villain in "Braveheart") stole it and brought it to England. In the 1950's a group of patriotic youths hatched a plan to steal it back for Scotland.The film is quirky and serious at the same time. Ian Hamilton is played by a youthful Charlie Cox, who reminded me of Robert Sean Leonard's character in "Dead Poet's Society". He is easygoing in life, but utterly devoted to his country. This sense of patriotism gives him the need to want to do something great for Scotland, and he is inspired by an old scrapbook article to steal back the Stone of Scone, known as the Stone of Destiny in the film.Enrolling his friend Bill (Billy Boyd from "Lord of the Rings") into this scheme, the two of them begin an intensive research into Westminster Abbey to take back the Stone. However, Bill drops out of the plan when he realizes just how much is at stake. Ian bounces back immediately by finding a group of other youths to help him. He recruits Kay for her patriotism, who brings in Gavin for his strength and boisterous personality, who brings in Alan for his extra car.These four embark on a trip to London, and in between the planning of the grand caper, they learn more about themselves in the process. Ian is so steadfast in his own plan that he finds it difficult to realize, as Gavin puts it, that someone else other than him might be right. Gavin himself has been labeled as a party animal and a carefree man that opens bottles with his teeth, and he wonders if he's more than that. Alan is insecure and shy, trying to find something to do that shows people what he's capable of. Kay brings her smarts and her spunky attitude to the group, and on the way develops feelings for Ian on the way. The way they finally acknowledge these feelings for each other is shown in a very funny scene just outside Westminster Abbey.The plan itself was real, as were the four people who underwent the plan. To say that they failed to bring the stone back is both true and false. True, the stone was taken back to England, false because bringing the stone across the border was half the success. The point of the plan was to show the average Scot that they could be proud of their heritage and be able to unshackle themselves from English domination. While this took yet more time after the break-in, it eventually came about.As a film, I enjoyed this very much. The characters were presented very well, particularly the youths and Robert Carlyle's character of an elderly professor who tries to win Scotland's freedom through a petition early in the film and provides funding for the youths to travel to England. British humour has rarely failed for me, and this film was able to show the deep motivations for taking the Stone back while at the same time show how crazy of a scheme it really was.Scotland has certainly need to go to great lengths to show its identity over the years. What other nation's heroes could go from a screaming warrior leading a horde of his countrymen in a bloody battle against the superior English forces to four rebellious youths sneaking through the back door of Westminster Abbey?
Stirring and fun: and a terrific true adventure story
posted on 19 Mar 2009Stone of Destiny is stirring and while it never claims to be Braveheart it does capture a lot of what Scotland's quest to be free is all about; and is surprisingly moving.A fun film about the true theft of the very potent symbol of Scottish heritage also known as Jacob's Pillow (As Jacob was meant to have slept on it after wrestling the angel in Genesis): the Scottish coronation stone. It is simply told with old-fashioned values - it reminded us of 1950s cinema - something about a good story well-told, a caper with moral vision, if you will.Above all it was fun. The time whizzed by and it really is an entertaining watch. The attempts to capture the 50s are good, there are some slight anachronisms here and there but overall it holds good. The actors all give it their all and there is a real sense of fun to be had here.If you want a great adventure story and like true stories then this will definitely be your cup of tea.
Don't let the critics put you off a worthwhile film
posted on 07 Mar 2009I for one would like to enter a plea on its behalf that people should see this film and make up their own minds. As someone who knows something about shaping a story, I am sure that a wider audience will find it a very competent adventure story with moments of real suspense, while for Scots it gives them the flavour of a moment in history and catches very authentically the emotions roused in a wide range of people by the Stone's recovery. The participants, though young, had potentially too much to lose for the raid to be dismissed as a student prank. Like it or not, there was real patriotic fervour at work here and a desire to remedy an old wrong. This is a well written, well acted film, although the reaction of the Scottish critics would have you think otherwise. It is hard to know what personal or professional uncertainty made for such a grudging reception, but it would be a pity if it meant that fewer people saw the film.
Let down by design, make up and research dept
posted on 31 Dec 2008Some nice photography but the film is let down by aggravating inaccuracies. Hair is too modern for 1950. Car registration CLS and NLS were never used. Used blatant Glasgow and Edinburgh style streets as Westminster. Women were not frequenters of pubs in the fifties. Westminster bridge with bus lanes and road markings are obviously 21st century. Surely some archive could have been used as no actors were involved. Country roads had no white lines until late fifties. And lastly, police vehicles did not have sirens until the sixties. Police men had whistles and cars had bells. Acting pretty good on the whole and I didn't spot the leading actress' accent as non Scottish (I'm Scot) or any Canadian locations. I'm surprised that the writer didn't notice some of these.
A gem of a feel-good movie, and that's coming from an Englishman!!!
posted on 31 Dec 2008Since around the 9th century, tradition holds that Scottish monarchs took their place upon the Stone of Scone during their coronation ceremony, until 1296 when it was captured by Edward I and placed in Westminster Abbey under a seat upon which English sovereigns were crowned, thereby showing the English power over the Scots. "Stone of Destiny" tells the true story of Ian Hamilton, a young student and nationalist, who was to attempt to return the Stone to its rightful place in Scotland and thereby right a long-standing injustice by the English.The cast is strong and features the likes of Robert Carlyle, Brenda Fricker and Billy Boyd (that "fool of a Took"). However, Charlie Cox once again caught my attention following his leading role in Stardust. Given he is not a native Scot, he makes a great effort at the accent, and again manages to portray his character with a great balance of likability, determination and youthful exuberance, and gives us hope that some of the next generation's leading men can combine acting and looking good... Director Charles Martin Smith does wonderfully in conveying the underdog theme brilliantly with a good balance of action, comedy and emotion. It's a definite feel-good movie, with the people around me clapping at the end. 5 stars, a British gem.
Enjoyable family film
posted on 01 Dec 2008My wife and I took our 10 year old. The time didn't drag and it was nicely done. Not a life changing, earth shattering film that you'd necessarily bother to see again, but it passed a pleasant evening and we were glad we'd gone to see it. It captured the sometimes bumbling and chaotic nature of of this kind of endeavour, and there were a few edge of the seat moments. The acting was fine and it captured the feel of a different era when we weren't so paranoid about terrorism and public buildings were much more easily accessible. I guess a lot of non-Scots won't fully understand the reference to the Declaration of Arbroath (I saw it on display in Edinburgh many years ago and it blew me away - and I'm an Englishman!).
Why the Negative Press?
posted on 16 Oct 2008I went to see Stone of Destiny recently and have to say that I very impressed. I felt that the director captured the 1950s period perfectly Personally I didn't see much wrong with the movie, which I found humorous and witty with some of the actors playing their parts extremely well.As far as any negative press re the movie is concerned I believe that there may be a Political slant on this as it may well be that Unionist political parties were a little frightened of the movie stirring up a wave of Scottish Nationalism which under the current climate may have resulted in Independence for Scotland!They cant afford to lose us Scots you know?We have so much going for us in Scotland and for those people who say that they are happy with the Union, fair enough, but there are also a great many who aren't and would love the opportunity to go it alone. The time has ComeScotland the Brave!
Great little film
posted on 22 Sep 2008I recently saw this at the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival. This is an adventure-comedy based on the real-life story of Ian Hamilton (Charlie Cox) who as a college student in Edinbourough, Scotland hatches an unlikely plot with the aid of a handful of fellow student to break into Wesminster Abbey in London and return to it's native land of Scotland the Stone of Destiny that for centuries has served as the coronation stone for the kings and queens of England. It's a feel-good enjoyable story based on Hamiltons book with the screenplay by director Charles Martin Smith. Smith as an American actor is known for his roles in such films as American Graffiti, The Untouchables, The Buddy Holly Story and Starman turns out a great product here in this little film as it's director. I would give it an 8.0 out of 10 and recommend it.
Great!
posted on 23 Aug 2008Going by the title, I initially thought it would be some lame sci-fi flick about a quest for some magical rock. I am so glad I was wrong, and I am so glad I took the time to watch it.This heart-warming story about Ian Hamilton and his attempt to steal back a huge rock of historical importance to Scotland was, in my opinion, well-written, well cast, and very entertaining - you really can't help but feel for Ian and his friends. I especially loved how entertaining it was when Ian (Charlie Cox) and his oddball gang came across so many obstacles in trying to steal the Stone.I would definitely encourage you to watch it if you haven't already.
Thoroughly enjoyable
posted on 26 Jun 2008I just saw Stone of Destiny at its world premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival. The stars and director were in attendance as well as Ian Hamilton and Alan Stuart themselves.I enjoyed this film very much. It's got humour and heart and characters that you can really get behind. You really want to see them succeed. It's also hard not to feel a swell of patriotism come the end -if you're a Scot. Otherwise you'll still get a warm feeling inside The cast are likable and their performances are good - although Charlie Cox and Kate Mara's accents weren't entirely convincing they both put in winning performances. The supporting cast are also good value with Stephen McCole making a very personable member of the team. Billy Boyd and Robert Carlyle do well with slightly limited roles.There are a few niggles - like the aforementioned accents - and some suspiciously green looking trees given that its set in winter, but these are minor. I can see this doing very well when it is put on general release, and that success will be deserved.
Not so sure about the Stone of Destiny
posted on 19 Jul 2009Went to the World Premiere of this film in Edinburgh. The event was quite exciting with a little speech by the director before the film began and Kate Mara, Billie Boyd, Robert Carlyle and Charlie Cox also at the event (and at the Gala Dinner afterwards).The film was a pleasant way to spend 90 minutes and it was quite an enjoyable romp. But I felt unsure about what the film was aiming to be. It wasn't funny enough to call itself a comedy and some of the humour was verging on farce (especially the scenes where the characters are running around the streets of London narrowly missing each other).It wasn't dramatic enough because the characters were on the whole cartoons and I didn't really feel involved or concerned about them - it seemed very "american formula road trip" but set in 1950s UK - nice handsome lead character, funny fat guy with a heart, pretty girl who starts off strong but ends up simply being the love interest for the lead character, and then the geeky skinny non-entity who makes good before the end. There was some tension in the scenes set in Westminster Abbey when they were trying to steel the stone - but you never really believed that they were ever going to be caught (but of course the 50s were years before mobile phones, laser burglar alarms, and burglars abseiling down from ceilings on micro wires.From a political point of view it was pretty full on in its portrayal of the Nationalist movement - but even this didn't feel fully developed and was perhaps more of an attempt to impress Sean Connery who is a staunch advocate of Scottish Independence and was at the Premiere as well as he is Patron of the Edinburgh Film Festival.Despite these comments I did enjoy the film. I probably won't buy the DVD but I may well rent it wen it comes out.