This movie, a bit over an hour long, was made like todays documentary with re-enactment style and a narrator. Although that style is very popular today, it was ground breaking back in 1964 when this black and white film was made. This style was the perfect and only way this film could of withstood these 50+ years it's been since it's creation.
I have to assume that the budget for this was bare bones, and that although there were not the actual numbers of men shown on camera that existed on the original battlefield,(13,000) there appeared, numerous characters, obviously not professional actors. Yet the poor acting almost lends to the pitiful occasion, that the Battle of Culloden turned out to be. Once the battle started, the acting was unneeded as you were drawn into the sights, sounds and magnitude of close quarter warfare.
Keeping in mind the limited resources on all levels and at a time when special affects were not available, the tone set by the director and the Camera use was absolutely BRILLIANT. Use of mostly tight frames gives us a personal interview feel. With the long shots, admittedly, it is up to the viewer to use the imagination and add the thousands of soldiers that were the reality of that day. Still....the smoke, the real cannon fire, the bag pipes, the screams of men and the chaos was realistically shown and felt.
The aftermath of this battle and how individuals were affected brings a very personal touch that is the sympathetic tone of this movie.
I highly recommend this film.
I have to assume that the budget for this was bare bones, and that although there were not the actual numbers of men shown on camera that existed on the original battlefield,(13,000) there appeared, numerous characters, obviously not professional actors. Yet the poor acting almost lends to the pitiful occasion, that the Battle of Culloden turned out to be. Once the battle started, the acting was unneeded as you were drawn into the sights, sounds and magnitude of close quarter warfare.
Keeping in mind the limited resources on all levels and at a time when special affects were not available, the tone set by the director and the Camera use was absolutely BRILLIANT. Use of mostly tight frames gives us a personal interview feel. With the long shots, admittedly, it is up to the viewer to use the imagination and add the thousands of soldiers that were the reality of that day. Still....the smoke, the real cannon fire, the bag pipes, the screams of men and the chaos was realistically shown and felt.
The aftermath of this battle and how individuals were affected brings a very personal touch that is the sympathetic tone of this movie.
I highly recommend this film.