Stone of Destiny (2008)

Well Deserved Praise

Absolutely brilliant

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

I am just going to say it up front....this story is about the SUCCESSFUL theft of the sacred Stone of Destiny (also called the Stone of Scone). I say this up front because most Brits know about the stone and its theft back in 1950--or at least they should. So it's not like it's a huge secret, but I checked the spoiler alert so that readers will know that I am divulging a secret. Why did a group of Scots sneak into Westminster Abbey to steal some rock anyway?! Well, this was the coronation stone which traditionally sat underneath the Scottish monarchs when they were made king or queen--and it was stolen by the English in the late 13th century. Over the years, Scots felt a sting to their pride and ultimately a group of Scottish nationalists stole it back...temporarily. The film is about the students responsible and it recreates the crime (whether it was a crime depends on your perspective).This is a very well acted film featuring mostly young unknown actors. Despite their inexperience, the film did a nice job of conveying the story and was assisted by the man who was actually behind this theft! All in all, a very interesting film--especially since the entire operation was so incredibly amateurish and shouldn't have succeeded! As I say above, it was like the Three Stooges pulling off a heist--something that never should have happened BUT which makes those not involved in any way (like this American with neither Scottish nor English heritage) laugh at the absurdity of it all. Well worth seeing.

We saw this on Netflix streaming.Even though Scotland is part of the British empire, they never have fully considered themselves "British." One item particularly, called the 'Stone of Destiny", represented their national pride. But some centuries earlier this stone, which probably weighs a few hundred pounds, was confiscated and then located in a chapel in Westminster Abby, under a chair, built in as part of the chair.Charlie Cox is 1950s vintage Ian Hamilton who, after listening to a lot of idle conversation about Scotland losing its national identity, decided to do something about it. As a gesture he would take the Stone of Destiny and bring it back to Scotland. A mere college student, it was a great task. This movie is based on those events, where Ian got a group of 4 together to make the heist on Christmas Eve and into the early morning hours when he figured security would be the most lax.Kate Mara, a New Yorker, is Scot Kay Matheson who joins Ian's efforts and eventually becomes his girlfriend. Of interest was Robert Carlyle of many "bad boy" roles as John MacCormick who was some Scot official who was aware of the plan. SPOILERS: The group succeeded, in a sort of manner, and did return the Stone to Scotland, but were eventually found out and arrested, but never brought to trial. The stone was subsequently "loaned" to Scotland, subject to recall when a new Soveriegn is installed.

I 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.

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.