We saw this on Netflix streaming.Even though Scotland is part of the British empire, they never have fully considered themselves "British." One item particularly, called the 'Stone of Destiny", represented their national pride. But some centuries earlier this stone, which probably weighs a few hundred pounds, was confiscated and then located in a chapel in Westminster Abby, under a chair, built in as part of the chair.Charlie Cox is 1950s vintage Ian Hamilton who, after listening to a lot of idle conversation about Scotland losing its national identity, decided to do something about it. As a gesture he would take the Stone of Destiny and bring it back to Scotland. A mere college student, it was a great task. This movie is based on those events, where Ian got a group of 4 together to make the heist on Christmas Eve and into the early morning hours when he figured security would be the most lax.Kate Mara, a New Yorker, is Scot Kay Matheson who joins Ian's efforts and eventually becomes his girlfriend. Of interest was Robert Carlyle of many "bad boy" roles as John MacCormick who was some Scot official who was aware of the plan. SPOILERS: The group succeeded, in a sort of manner, and did return the Stone to Scotland, but were eventually found out and arrested, but never brought to trial. The stone was subsequently "loaned" to Scotland, subject to recall when a new Soveriegn is installed.

this was an interesting and enjoyable film to watch without it reaching any great heights. As an Englishman living overseas, I am ignorant of the original story and I was born after 1950 in which year the film is set, so the story in a sense was a refreshing change to the banter normally coming from Scots about Braveheart and Robert Burns. Of all the films I have seen recently, this one carried a very satisfactory and logical ending and the film itself moves at sufficient speed for you never to be bored or agitated. Kate Mara is perhaps a little out of place and I wasn't quite sure what Robert Carlisles job in London was. I do wonder if the same director contemplates a similar movie in time to 4th-5th November 1605 although it was not Scots motivated for that incredible event, though it was a Scottish catholic King as the cause for it. Cant fault this film, don't want to, the film works as it is, good British entertainment, see it, enjoy it, have a pint afterwards and comment to friends about it at work next morning.

Scotland remains engulfed in its own history. One can see simply from the landscape that it is an ancient land, of many events and peoples that have led to its creation. One of its most ancient symbols is the Stone of Scone, which was present at every Scottish crowning ceremony until Edward the First (the arch villain in "Braveheart") stole it and brought it to England. In the 1950's a group of patriotic youths hatched a plan to steal it back for Scotland.The film is quirky and serious at the same time. Ian Hamilton is played by a youthful Charlie Cox, who reminded me of Robert Sean Leonard's character in "Dead Poet's Society". He is easygoing in life, but utterly devoted to his country. This sense of patriotism gives him the need to want to do something great for Scotland, and he is inspired by an old scrapbook article to steal back the Stone of Scone, known as the Stone of Destiny in the film.Enrolling his friend Bill (Billy Boyd from "Lord of the Rings") into this scheme, the two of them begin an intensive research into Westminster Abbey to take back the Stone. However, Bill drops out of the plan when he realizes just how much is at stake. Ian bounces back immediately by finding a group of other youths to help him. He recruits Kay for her patriotism, who brings in Gavin for his strength and boisterous personality, who brings in Alan for his extra car.These four embark on a trip to London, and in between the planning of the grand caper, they learn more about themselves in the process. Ian is so steadfast in his own plan that he finds it difficult to realize, as Gavin puts it, that someone else other than him might be right. Gavin himself has been labeled as a party animal and a carefree man that opens bottles with his teeth, and he wonders if he's more than that. Alan is insecure and shy, trying to find something to do that shows people what he's capable of. Kay brings her smarts and her spunky attitude to the group, and on the way develops feelings for Ian on the way. The way they finally acknowledge these feelings for each other is shown in a very funny scene just outside Westminster Abbey.The plan itself was real, as were the four people who underwent the plan. To say that they failed to bring the stone back is both true and false. True, the stone was taken back to England, false because bringing the stone across the border was half the success. The point of the plan was to show the average Scot that they could be proud of their heritage and be able to unshackle themselves from English domination. While this took yet more time after the break-in, it eventually came about.As a film, I enjoyed this very much. The characters were presented very well, particularly the youths and Robert Carlyle's character of an elderly professor who tries to win Scotland's freedom through a petition early in the film and provides funding for the youths to travel to England. British humour has rarely failed for me, and this film was able to show the deep motivations for taking the Stone back while at the same time show how crazy of a scheme it really was.Scotland has certainly need to go to great lengths to show its identity over the years. What other nation's heroes could go from a screaming warrior leading a horde of his countrymen in a bloody battle against the superior English forces to four rebellious youths sneaking through the back door of Westminster Abbey?

I recently saw this at the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival. This is an adventure-comedy based on the real-life story of Ian Hamilton (Charlie Cox) who as a college student in Edinbourough, Scotland hatches an unlikely plot with the aid of a handful of fellow student to break into Wesminster Abbey in London and return to it's native land of Scotland the Stone of Destiny that for centuries has served as the coronation stone for the kings and queens of England. It's a feel-good enjoyable story based on Hamiltons book with the screenplay by director Charles Martin Smith. Smith as an American actor is known for his roles in such films as American Graffiti, The Untouchables, The Buddy Holly Story and Starman turns out a great product here in this little film as it's director. I would give it an 8.0 out of 10 and recommend it.