Stone of Destiny (2008) ( La piedra del destino ) ( La pierre du destin )

Stone of Destiny (2008) (DVD) (*)

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Original Title: La piedra del destino
Alternate Title: La pierre du destin
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Toronto International Film Festival
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )

Product Origin/Format:
Australia ( PAL/Region 4 )

Running Time:
96 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Deleted Scenes
Interactive Menu
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 2008 and produced in:
Canada ( USA, Canada )
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Charles Martin Smith

Written By:
Ian Hamilton
Charles Martin Smith

Actors:
Charlie Cox ..... Ian Hamilton
Kate Mara ..... Kay Matheson
Stephen McCole ..... Gavin Vernon
Ciaron Kelly ..... Alan Stuart
Billy Boyd ..... Bill Craig
Robert Carlyle ..... John MacCormick
Peter Mullan ..... Ian's Father
Brenda Fricker ..... Mrs. McQuarry
Juliet Cadzow ..... Ian's Mother
Alex Donald ..... London Policeman
John Comerford ..... Pub Landlord
Richard Addison ..... Tour Guide
Danielle Stewart ..... Brochure Girl
Suzanne Dance ..... Church Woman
Pauline King ..... Jen

Synopsis:

Ian Hamilton a lawyer and the protagonist, is very angry at what he sees as the political and economic subjugation of Scotland by England, and sad that Scots are somewhat ashamed to be Scottish so he decides to perform a symbolic act to put heart into the marginalised Scottish nationalist movement. He creates a daring scheme with a friend to liberate the Stone of Scone (a.k.a. the Stone of Scone) back from Westminister Abbey in London, where it had resided for centuries following English military victories over the Scots in the Middle Ages. They both research the Abbey and create their scheme, but once his friend realized that Ian was actually serious about liberating the stone, he backed out. So Ian decided he would liberate the stone by himself, but before he left, he went to see the head of the university to ask for funds for basic necessities. He provided, and later, at a party, referred Ian to Kay Matheson, a girl with strong Nationalist ideas, would help him retrieve the stone. After a variety of rather comic mischances, the group retrieve the stone from Westminster Abbey and return it to Scotland. After repairing damage, they return it to the authorities (having achieved their political aims) and are arrested and charged, but not prosecuted, on charges relating to the case. The final narration on screen points out that though the Stone is now in Scotland, it is only 'on loan' and will return to Westminster for the next Coronation of a British monarch.

In 1950, Ian is a university student and ardent Scottish nationalist in Glasgow. He wants to take back the legendary Stone of Scone, a 300-plus-pound sandstone block upon which kings of Scotland sat for their coronation before it was taken to Westminster Abbey in 1296 as a spoil of war. He confides in his friend Billy, gets 50 quid from a local politician, and goes to London to reconnoiter. He hatches a plan with two conspirators (hide in the abbey after closing, let in the burly Gavin while Kay watches the car, and carry out the stone). They set it for Christmas Eve, add Alan, a shy spindly teen who has a reliable car, and leave for England. What awaits them: gaol or acclaim?

Stone of Destiny is a heartwarming true story of friendship, loyalty and adventure. Scotland. 1950. With Scots nationalism waning under the weight of Britain's rule, four university students make a dramatic gesture to reawaken their country's pride. Despite having little money and even less experience, they plot to break into Westminster Abbey in the wee hours of Christmas morning and "liberate" that most powerful symbol of Scotland's nationhood - The Stone of Destiny. Their mission is a renewal of Scottish pride and a call for independence, but they soon learn that not everything will be as easy as it seems.

This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 07 November, 2012.