User Reviews

This version of Kidnapped was well acted and beautifully produced. I was pleased to find that other viewers enjoyed the production as much as I did. It has been a disappointment that it was never re-run. If I recall correctly it was broadcast in the United States by Turner Productions. It is also unfortunate that it was not released on video.

I saw this version of Kidnapped in 1979.I think it was the best one that was made. The theme music was really nice.It was called David's theme. It was very haunting and lonely. I would love to see a repeat of the show.I feel that Robert Louis Stevenson would be happy with this production.

I remember this TV-series vividly. I was 8, perhaps 9, and the music David's Theme stayed with me to this very day. Wonderful, beautiful, sad.

As far as I recall the acting was great but then again I was 9. I have been wanting to see it again for somewhat 30 years now - who knows what I will think of it now? Silly? Poorly made?

Well, I can easily imagine myself being back in the late 70s completely enthralled by the story and the music. And I so want to show it to my kids. I know, back then, this series changed my little universe a bit.

I discovered that this particular version is available again on http://www.networkdvd.net/product_info.php?products_id=549 I will definitely buy it. Hope it's the right one!!! Don't shoot me if I'm wrong.

This is the most complete in story and best performance of any dramatized version of Kidnapped. It was shown on televion only once in the United States. That was back in 1981 or 82. It is a pity that it has never been shown again or released to home video.

I remember being glued to this miniseries when it was shown on TBS (Turner) in '78. It was wonderfully done, following the novel very faithfully and not trying to guild the lily the way so many other productions have done. More than that, it covered not only "Kidnapped" itself, but also that novel's sequel, "Catriona: (released as "David Balfour" in the United States) which I until then did not know even existed. It was an excellent idea, since it resolved all the hanging threads of the plot as Stevenson had intended.

What I recall most were all the on-location shots (I assumed they were such, anyway) and the beauty of the Scottish countryside as well as that of the Netherlands. David McCallum gave an excellent portrayal of the brash Alan Breck. I know some have accused the actor who portrayed David Balfour's performance wooden, but frankly, Stevenson writes the character that way—he saves all the panache for Alan, and so it is in this film, as well.

I particularly remember the haunting opening credits theme—I wish I could find a recording of it, as it, too, was excellent.

It's a great shame this is not shown more often. I understand it's been released on DVD, but so far I've not been able to find it, so I'm guess this was not done in the U.S., which is a shame. Perhaps someday

This particular version of Kidnapped was well acted and enjoyable. Until reading a comment today I thought I was one of the few who saw the production. It is unfortunate that it was not released on video.

I saw this when it was originally screened in 1978 or 1979 - I was just a little kid at the time. I was living in Argyll, Scotland - real Gaelic country/landscape, so the programme really resonated with me. It was repeated in 1980 or 1981 but after that i never heard anything about it until circa 1991 the first two or three episodes, edited together, were released on video briefly, by a company called VideoGem. I was surprised by its quality - I thought my childhood memories may have exaggerated its appeal. Some of the acting - particularly David Balfour - is slightly wooden; on the other hand , a lot of it is very good - notably David McCallum as Alan Breck Stewart. The episodes I saw on video included original material that doesn't feature in the book; but unlike typical Hollywood 'adaptations' some of this material is quite worthy - including a scene that suggests the relationship between the Scots tenants and the Stewarts-in-exile was more about extortion than loyalty. As for the video release, I don't think it sold very well, as I never saw any further releases of the remaining episodes, which was a great disappointment.

I agree that it was easily the best adaptation I've ever seen, and it would be great to see the whole series released on video. If I remember rightly, the series also adapted at least some of the sequel 'Catriona'.

It seems like ever such a long time ago that this series was shown in the UK - the fact that I remember it so well after such a long time speaks for itself! Very well acted, and filmed, and with a very evocative soundtrack - this production brings the story to life, and includes a lot of scene/parts of the story that are often left out of other productions.

Definitely a very definitive production of the story, and definitely the very best. Along with a lot of people, I would love to own a copy - is this possible.. ?? Whoever owns the copyright - PLEASE - release it for sale - PLEASE!! It's SO good! I'm sure it would sell well and be very much worth your while....

This is a great movie, with only one problem: you cannot buy a copy and it was only shown on TV in the USA once that I know of, in the early 1980's. I hope someone will get the idea to show it again, and make it available for purchase on DVD or VHS. I have never seen a better version of this movie. It really captures the spirit of Scotland at the time. I would put it up against Braveheart or any of the Lord Of The Rings movies. The music alone stirs the blood of anyone with Celtic blood, or a Celtic spirit. The fight scenes are most excellent. I hope someone who has the power to get this movie out for everyone to see it again will do so. If someone knows if there is a DVD or VHS copy out please post a message on here.

The intriguing story of a young man in search of his home through Scotland during English occupation. Young David Balfour travels through the Highlands to get back what's his, all the time hiding from the English and meeting all kinds of people. The series includes a remarkable piping contest - quite funny - which leads me to the musical score: The title melody is hauntingly beautiful. It reminds you of great Celtic folklore, songs like Amazing Grace or Danny Boy. If you get the chance: watch it, it's truly worthwhile.

If you like it, I'll recommend "Matt and Jenny" from about the same time. A Canadian TV production about two children in search for their parents through Canada.