Rob Roy
Rob Roy

Rob Roy

1995Movie139 minEnglish

In the highlands of Scotland in the 1700s, Rob Roy tries to lead his small town to a better future, by borrowing money from the local nobility to buy cattle to herd to market. When the money is stolen, Rob is forced into a Robin Hood lifestyle to defend his family and honour.

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Insights

IMDb6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes74%
Metacritic64/100
Google Users85%
Director: Michael Caton-JonesGenres: Biography, Drama, History, Romance, War

Plot Summary

In 18th-century Scotland, the proud Highland clan chief Rob Roy MacGregor struggles to protect his lands and people from the avarice of the English nobility. Betrayed by his own kinsman and robbed of his livelihood, Rob Roy is forced into a life of outlawry, becoming a folk hero as he fights for justice and vengeance. His pursuit of retribution leads him into a bloody conflict that tests his honor, his family, and his very soul.

Critical Reception

Rob Roy was met with generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its epic scope, strong performances, and stunning cinematography. While some found its narrative somewhat conventional, the film was widely lauded for its historical drama and Liam Neeson's commanding portrayal of the titular character. Audiences also responded well to its romantic and action elements.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its visually stunning depiction of the Scottish Highlands and epic scale.
  • Liam Neeson delivers a powerful and charismatic performance as the legendary outlaw.
  • Tim Roth's chilling portrayal of the villainous Archibald Cunningham was a standout for many critics.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's historical drama, strong performances, and engaging storyline. Many highlighted the beautiful cinematography and the compelling performances of the lead actors, particularly Liam Neeson and Tim Roth.

Awards & Accolades

Tim Roth was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Archibald Cunningham. The film also received nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design at the Academy Awards, and won a BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design.

Fun Fact

The distinctive, and often unsettling, villainous character of Archibald Cunningham was largely conceived by actor Tim Roth himself, who wanted to create a memorable antagonist. Roth's performance was widely praised and became a defining element of the film.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

As a Scot, I tend to look upon the Hollywood treatment of our national history with considerable disdain at the best of times - this is not a film that encourages me to change that philosophy. The general heather and whisky sentiment; the u...
Wuchak

Wuchak

_**Featuring One of Cinema's Greatest Villains -- EVER**_ "Rob Roy" came out in 1995 with a couple other heroic swordplay films: "Braveheart" and "First Knight." I prefer "Rob Roy" to "Braveheart," even though the two films shouldn't rea...
John Chard

John Chard

Do not think that all sins go unpunished in this life, Montrose. Rob Roy is directed by Michael Caton-Jones and written by Alan Sharp. It stars Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Eric Stoltz, Andrew Keir and Brian Cox. Mus...