CHASING THE DEER
A film review by Jim Jackson
Copyright 1994 Jim Jackson
Scotland 1994 Rated: PG (Parental Guidance) Starring: Brian Blessed, Ian Cuthbertson, Carolyn Konrad, Jake D'Arcy, Jacqueline Pirie, Fish, Matthew Zajac, Jock Ferguson, Dominique Carrara, Director: Graham Holloway Producer: Bob Carruthers Screenplay: Jerome Vincent, Bob Carruthers, Steve Gillham Photography: Alan M Trow Music: John Wetton, Bob Marlett, Bob Mitchell Runrig, Fish Released by Cromwell Productions
The film is set in Scotland in the aftermath of the Jacobite rebellions in the the early 18th Century. Across the highlands rumours abound of the return of Prince Charlie, son of the exiled Jacobite King.
Young Euan (Lewis Rae) is learning to shoot deer under the guidance of his father Alistair (Matthew Zajac). A Jacobite party appears in the village intent on pressing men into the service of King James, they are led by Cameron (played by Fish) who bears a bitter grudge against the innkeeper Tam (Jake D'Arcy). Tam's killing is witnessed by Euan who manages to shoot one of the Jacobites before being taken prisoner himself.
Alistair hearing that his son is now with the Jacobites joins up himself as Cameron insists that is the only way that he can be sure that no harm will come to Euan. However Euan's party is ambushed by Hanoverian troops and he becomes a drummer in the government ranks. While his father fights with the Jacobite army during their advance to Edinburgh and on into England, Euan's commander Major Elliot (Brian Blessed) takes a shine to him as his own dead son would have been of similar age.
The climax of the film is the battle of Culloden where father and son fight unknowingly on opposing sides. At the height of the battle Euan is killed. Seeing his son, Alistair runs to his aid. A shocked Major Elliot notices the Jacobite soldier leaning over the body of his favourite and in a rage strikes him down.
The film's message is clearly anti-war, it does not glamorise the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 instead it shows, with historical accuracy, what the events of 1745-46 meant for a highland family.
CHASING THE DEER was almost entirely funded by public subscription and the small budget has inevitably meant that there has had to be compromise. For example, the film does not move smoothly from one scene to the next. However, the quality and accuracy of the costumes and scenery belies this low budget production.
There are good performances notably from Fish (former singer with Marillion) and Jock Ferguson who plays Lord Murray.
For anyone with an interest in Scottish history and what the 1745 meant for ordinary Scots, this film is essential viewing.
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