Stone of Destiny (2008)

Director:

Charles Martin Smith

Writers:

Ian Hamilton (book)
Charles Martin Smith (writer)

Release Date:

19 December 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

A heist 600 years in the making

Plot:

The story of Ian Hamilton, a dedicated nationalist who reignited Scottish national pride in the 1950s with his daring raid on the heart of England to bring the Stone of Scone back to Scotland.

Plot Keywords:

Stone | 1950s | Scotland | Student | Bar

Awards:

3 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Charlie Cox	...	Ian Hamilton
Kate Mara	...	Kay Matheson
Billy Boyd	...	Bill Craig
Robert Carlyle	...	John MacCormick
Ciaron Kelly	...	Alan Stuart
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rab Affleck	...	Old Gypsy
Gillian Aitken	...	1950's Student
Janine Ballantyne	...	1950's Student
Ross Bennie	...	1950's Student
Juliet Cadzow	...	Ian's mother
Alan Cuthbertson	...	Police Officer CID
Ron Donachie	...	Nightwatchman Murphy
Adrienne Fraser	...	1950's Student
Brenda Fricker	...	Mrs. McQuarry
Mark Harvey	...	Cheering Student
Pauline King	...	Jen
Bryan Lowe	...	Brian / Obnoxious Student
Stephen McCole	...	Gavin Vernon
Ashley McFarlane	...	Gavin's Girl 1
Iain McGregor	...	Abbey Worker
Johnny Meres	...	Detective Simpkins
Peter Mullan	...	Ian's dad
Rod Scott	...	Policeman
Adam Smith	...	Tourist

MPAA:

Rated PG for language and some incidental smoking.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

Canada | UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Certification:

USA:PG | UK:PG | Argentina:Atp | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Arbroath, Angus, Scotland, UK

Company:

Infinity Features Entertainment

Trivia:

A lot of the external night scenes and interior scenes were shot at Paisley Abbey, not Westminster Abbey.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The statues in the niches above the door are modern - the niches having been empty since the middle ages - and among the martyrs is Martin Luther King, who was very much alive in 1950. There is a sign next to the entrance to the West gate which explains the statues were unveiled by the Queen in 1998 so they certainly weren't there when the heist took place.

Quotes:

Ian Hamilton: Is it alright if I have a look around?
Pretty Abbey worker: [Smiling] As long as you promise not to take anything.

Soundtrack:

Wild Mountain Thyme

Thoroughly enjoyable

I 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.