Kidnapped

A young Scottish orphan, David Balfour, is betrayed by his uncle and sent to sea on a wicked captain's ship. He endures harsh treatment and a shipwreck, eventually landing on a deserted island with his friend Alan Breck Stewart. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to reclaim David's inheritance and expose his uncle's treachery.

The 1938 film adaptation of 'Kidnapped' was a moderately received adventure film, noted for its faithfulness to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel. While it showcased exciting set pieces and strong performances from its lead actors, it was generally considered a solid, if not groundbreaking, adaptation that appealed to family audiences.

• Praised for its adventurous spirit and adherence to the source material.
• Freddie Bartholomew's performance as David Balfour was a highlight.
• Some critics found the pacing a bit uneven at times.

Google audience: Audience reception information for this specific 1938 film is not readily available.

This was one of several film adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel 'Kidnapped', with previous versions made in 1918 and 1934, and a more famous one in 1960 starring Peter Finch and James MacArthur.