goreilly40 Review of Culloden

Culloden (1964 TV Movie)

Very disturbing but a no pulled punches and honest portrayal.

[10/10 · 21 June 2015]

One of the most controversial events in Britain's history, the last land battle ever fought in Britain and its tragic aftermath which effectively wiped out an entire way of life forever. This documentary showed what the battle of Culloden really was, a complete mismatch, on one side, you had battle hardened well equipped professional soldiers armed with all the latest weaponry and on the other, you had what can only be described as ill equipped poorly organised, exhausted hungry warriors who were in no fit state to fight as a result of a failed night attack. The battle itself was a bloodstained massacre, for every one government soldier killed, 24 clansman lay dead on the poorly chosen moor. But that was only the beginning, after the battle the government forces carried out the pacification of the highlands. In reality it had more in common with the final solution, houses were burned, livestock and lands confiscated, the highlanders found their way of life was effectively outlawed, their language, their tartan and their music were banned. The documentary doesn't in any way try to sugar coat the events of that summer, it simply shows what happened. The acting is very disturbingly accurate, particularly those of the Scottish soldiers who fought for the government forces and the battle scene itself is one of the more realistic ones I've seen and those participating did look generally scared during the filming. The costumes couldn't be faulted and the cast was excellent. It also raises the point that this was not Scotland vs England as more Scots were on the side of the government forces than the rebels, and it was mainly Scottish soldiers who carried out Cumberland's orders in the aftermath as an English soldier remarked, "The lowlander Scots hate the highlanders more than we do." This is a must see not just for movie fans but for history lovers and those interested in this time period.