Rob Roy MacGregor

[cgrinder]

Hey everybody. It's been a while since I posted last but I have come on here and read posts occasionally. Since finding out about my Scottish anscestry I've looked for the "Rob Roy" movie. I found it just Halloween day and watched it that night for the first time. I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was an awesome movie. A bit "Braveheartish" if you will but I know Rob Roy came before Braveheart anyway. Sorry to ramble but my question is, how accurate are the events from the movie to the actual struggle that occured between Rob Roy and the English?? Was his wife taken advantage of and inpregnated as the movie portrayed? Did it end in a one on one battle for his survival or was this again movie dramatics?? I would appreciate any responses. Thanks!!

Chris

[Mael Coluim]

Chris,
From the links below I would say Hollywood took creative license.

http://www.incallander.co.uk/rob_roy.htm

http://www.rampantscotland.com/famous/blfamrobroy.htm

http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/robroy/

http://www.lordbothwell.co.uk/robroy.html

I see that you are related to the Malcolm Clan. Tell me more, cousin!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

From what I understand, Rob Roy the movie was based on Rob Roy the novel, by Sir Walter Scot. Rob Roy the novel was based on the legend of Rob Roy, which was based on an actual historical figure.

So when you want to ask if the movie was accurate, the question is a little tricky. Accurate to the novel? Accurate to history? In my opinion, the movie is far enough removed that it's really a minor point, unlike in Braveheart, which was supposedly based on history.

However, I can say that the costumes in Rob Roy were spectacular, and far more accurate to the period than anything in Braveheart.

[Woodsheal]

The movie compresses events that took place over a much longer time frame, but the general circumstances of Rob's duel with Montrose (NOT the English!) are fairly accurate. It's a matter of debate as to how much his wife was really abused, and some other facts are "hollywoodized." Graham of Killearn was not murdered during the business, nor was Alan MacDonald (who may actually have run off with the loan money!). Rob did have a sword fight with one Cunningham, but it was a farcical drunken affair, and all were tipsy friends again afterwards....

This is the best book onthe subject:
http://www.amazon.com/Rob-Roy-MacGre...4129122&sr=1-1

[cgrinder]

Thanks everyone, I feel I've got a good grasp of what what fictionalized and what was historical.

[macwilkin]

Ask at your local public library for Rob Roy MacGregor: his life and times by W.H. Murray.

T.

[beloitpiper]

I have to agree with Matt. The costumes were fantastic (the designer really did their homework!), but the movie itself took liberties as far as historical accuracy. Nevertheless, I still like it better than Braveheart.