Overlooked Movies: Rob Roy

Roy Roy might not be a great movie, but it's sure a good one, with Liam Neeson in the title role and Jessica Lange as his wife, Mary.  They're both excellent, and so is the rest of the cast, especially Tim Roth as Archibald Cunningham, the most villainous villain that ever villained.  This is not to slight John Hurt, as Montrose, who's also very good, but when it comes to villaining, Roth is the champ.

Rob Roy borrows money from Montrose, and Archie, always broke, steals the money from the messenger delivering it to Rob Roy.  When Rob Roy asks Montrose for more time to repay the money that he never received, Montrose says he'll give him an extension only if Rob Roy grasses on his friend Argyll.  Naturally Rob Roy, being a man of honor, refuses.  

Bad things ensue, namely Archie's rape of Mary, along with the slaughter of Rob Roy's cattle and the burning of his home.  Rob Roy becomes an outlaw, striking back at Montrose, who strikes back even harder.  Eventually Rob Roy is taken prisoner, and there's a great escape scene.  And finally there's an even greater sword fight scene, one of the best ever filmed.  You don't have to take my word for it.  You can watch it here.  At the beginning you might think that Archie doesn't have a chance.  Rob Roy towers over him and would seem to have the advantage, but Rob Roy, using a broadsword, is cut numerous times by the agile Archie, who's using a smaller weapon.  Rob Roy tires and becomes exhausted, while Archie seems fresh as the dawn.  Guess who wins.

I first saw this in the theater 20 years ago (seems more like 20 days), and it's just as fresh and exciting as ever, and everything about it works: the story, the acting, the scenery, the photography.  A real winner.