Director: Charles Martin Smith (The Snow Walker, Trick or Treat)
Screenplay: Ian Hamilton, Charles Martin Smith
Producers: Andrew Boswell, Rob Merilees
Starring: Charlie Cox, Kate Mara, Robert Carlyle, Billy Boyd, Stephen McCole
MPAA Rating: PG
Running time: 96 min.

(3.5/5)

In the 1950′s a handful of politicians where fighting the complacency of the Scottish people in an effort to win independence from England. The attempt managed to capture only a little attention but it was the recklessness of a group of university students that lit the flames in Scottish hearts.

Ian Hamilton was a university student at the time that John MacCormick was fighting for independence and it was shortly after a political loss that Hamilton devised a plan to bring a symbol of Scottish pride back to Scotland: The Stone of Destiny. Kept on public display in Westminster Abbey under the coronation chair, the stone was taken from Scotland in 1296 by Edward I at which point it became a permanent part of the English coronation throne.

Hamilton’s plan sounded easy enough: go in at night, steal the stone and return it to Scotland but as expected things didn’t go as planned – when does it ever? The original plan fell apart almost immediately upon arrival in England and in a last ditch attempt, the group decided on an old school “Scottish raid”. In the end, they were successful and their story made them infamous but this tidbit of history seems to have remained largely popular on the big island alone; until now.

Adapted from Hamilton’s book by actor/director Charles Martin Smith, Stone of Destiny brings the heist (600 years in the making) to life. Starring Charlie Cox (who caught my attention when he starred in Stardust) as Hamilton, the film also stars the very talented Kate Mara, as Kay (a full fledged member of the team and not simply “the love interest”), Stephen McCole as Gavin (the muscles) and the fabulous Robert Carlyle as John MacCormick (the who politician who bankrolled the entire operation).

The solid performances throughout the film (particularly form Cox and Mara who owns her accent) are accompanied by a beautifully shot film. Smith has a knack for capturing locations and they almost become their own characters under his careful watch and he succeeds in doing the same here. Westminster Abbey is a living breathing place but it was the Scottish countryside that really caught my attention and I can’t imagine the film being shot anywhere else; the flowing hills and greenery seem otherworldly and as if anything can happen there.

Stone of Destiny is a solid little film featuring strong direction, good acting and an a great “true” story all rolled into an entertaining package. Though some of the comedic moments feel a bit put-on (though in a Q &A with the director we were assured that the comedic moments are true to how events unfolded) , the film’s emotional center stays intact throughout and one can’t help but sit up and pound the fist a little when the Scots flow into the streets with joy at the news that the stone had been taken.

Martin Smith has once again succeeded in taking what could have been a too sweet Hollywood film and created a beautiful film which earns the emotions it pulls from the audience. I look forward to see what he has for us next.

Stone of Destiny makes its way onto DVD on Tuesday, June 30th. Not too many extras on the DVD release but the 25 minute making of documentary features some fun interviews and video footage from the TV newscasts which aired shortly after the theft. I wish they had added some of these newscasts as extras because the bits included are really interesting.

You may also want to check out our interview with director Charles Martin Smith.