Films That Can Be Salvaged Part 6: Rob Roy (1995)

The Rundown: If you can look past Rob Roy’s Harlequin book-like cover, you’ll discover one of the greatest Western/Action films ever made - despite it being a period piece set in 1700′s Scotland. This is a very loose adaptation of the fictional Robert Roy MacGregor, folk hero and outlaw.

The clan system is gasping its last few breaths, due to the changing political climate. Rob Roy (Liam Neeson), head of the MacGregor Clan, sets out to reverse the fortunes of his community by becoming a cattle trader. Needing some money to bankroll his operation, Rob puts his land up as collateral for a loan issued by Marquess of Montrose (played by John Hurt).

Things don’t go smoothly, and Rob is on the hook for the money. He ends up going to war with the Marquess and his ruthless henchman, Archie Cunningham (played with much brutality by Tim Roth), the film’s primary villain and formidable foe.

What made it great: What? A bank loan that goes awry doesn’t catch your interest? How about some sword fights and gun-play, then?

The film starts out with an honorable man seeking to help his community, then he gets screwed over, and finds himself in an escalating situation that becomes more brutal and personal over it’s progression.

Liam Neeson is very much in his prime here, playing a role he would later echo in Batman Begins, Episode 1, and Taken. The struggles he endures here make him easy to relate to. His Klingon-like speeches of honor come off as genuine and endearing. Neeson really carries this film.

Tim Roth’s Cunningham is one of the best antagonists to ever appear on film. He exhibits all (and I mean all) the traits of an evil villain, with a small touch of humanity thrown in. Like the crowd that jeers his entrance in the film, you too will be quick to dismiss this monster at first glance.

What can be fixed: Let me start off by saying this is a really really good film. Go rent it on DVD now (not on Blu-Ray yet) if you haven’t seen it. As is, it works amazingly, but it can be fine-tuned to make it one of the greats.

First off, the opening screen text. The back story that appears in a few paragraphs to start the film features text that is too darn small! Please enlarge and break into multiple screens if need be. Essentially the paragraphs talk about the clan system or something…never could read it. I think this can overlay the very long opening shot.

I usually don’t prescribe changes to the film’s poster/cover, but this film needn’t look like a romance novel. The ‘Rob Roy’ text could be shown in a more serious fashion, and in uppercase: ROB ROY. I think I may do a new poster one day.

At 2 hours and 19 minutes, the film can be streamlined a bit. There are a few places that can be trimmed to accelerate the story and pacing. If you haven’t seen this yet, don’t read! Spoilers ahead:

1. There are two scenes early on of Rob and his wife Mary, uh, getting it on. I think one is enough to establish their bond.

2. We need to get to that money being robbed a lot sooner. There are moments in the first 20 or so minutes that can be hastened, like the Roy clan tracking the cattle thieves. The money being stolen is the instigating moment for Rob and this film.

3. Rob’s brother could have reduced screen-time. It just seems his death didn’t register as greatly as the theft or the atrocity committed against Rob’s wife. He is integral, but there are a few scenes that aren’t necessary - like the one where he is dispatched to guard Rob’s family from a lookout - these could be excised.

4. I seen a TV edit of the rape scene being reduced to almost nothing. This omission did not impact the film at all. In fact it made you envision it yourself, which can be an effective device.

5. Not sure if this is possible, but editing Mary’s pregnancy to be revealed at a much later point in the film could be beneficial, possibly a surprise turning point.

6. The point-blank gunshot of the animatronic cow (and it’s resulting collapse) is this film’s lame-duck moment. Hide or omit this!

Would these changes improve the film? Yes. Of the 6 films I have reviewed in this series, Rob Roy needs the least amount of finesse (it’s that good), but it can still be elevated to new heights. I think if there was a bit of an effort to target action film fans, many people could discover one of the great overlooked films of the 90′s. New poster/cover art, new release on Blu-Ray = new audience. Plus the many scenic vistas in the film are begging for the HD treatment. Sadly the troubled MGM/UA studio owns this film. Might be a long wait.

EDIT: Whoops! Looks like this was just released on Blu-Ray on Jan 11th. I like the new cover art for the film, looks great! Guess what I’m ordering!