Shot on location - Films and TV-series: The Master of Ballantrae

25 March 2016

Glenfinnan, Scotland

Although the characters and events in THE MASTER OF BALLANTRAE, released in 1953, are fictional, the story is set during the actual Jacobite rising of 1745. The rebellion started in Glenfinnan in the Scottish Highlands, a historical location that can be seen in the film.

The Master of Ballantrae, 0:09:16

The British Prince Charles Edward Stuart, better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, wanted the House of Stuart, exiled since 1689, to reign over the United Kingdom again. At the time of the uprising, most of the British troops were on the European continent because of the War of the Austrian Succession. On 19 August 1745, Prince Charles Edward Stuart arrived in Glenfinnan, Scotland. This historical event was not recreated for the film, but the gathering of a large number of clansmen was. They have come to Glenfinnan to express their loyalty to the prince. Among them is Jamie Durie (Errol Flynn), member of Clan Durisdeer.

The village of Glenfinnan in the Lochaber area of the Highlands of Scotland is best known for the railway viaduct (see also Glenfinnan Viaduct). In 1815 a monument was erected to commemorate the raising of the Jacobite standard by Bonnie Prince Charlie. It is a tower with a statue of an anonymous highlander on top. Obviously it is not in the film, but Loch Schiel can be seen in the background. Both the viaduct, the monument as well as the lake are also on the Scottish £ 10 bank note.

The Master of Ballantrae, 0:11:01

Glenfinnan monument and Loch Schiel, 5 August 2011

The Master of Ballantrae, 0:11:04

Scottish Highlands near Glenfinnan, 5 August 2011

Screenshots © Warner Bros.

27 February 2016

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

The film THE MASTER OF BALLANTRAE, based on the book with the same name by Robert Louis Stevenson, is set in 1745. In that year prince Charles Edward Stuart, commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, attempted to regain the British throne which led to the Jacobite rising against king George II. The Scottish Durie brothers, Jamie (Errol Flynn) and Henry (Anthony Steel), decide to support a different party each, hoping to preserve the status and estate of their father, lord Durrisdeer (Felix Aylmer), no matter who will win.

The Master of Ballantrae, 1:26:27

Filming on location for this American production in England, Italy and the Scottish Highlands was done in 1952. Eilean Donan Castle was chosen to represent Ballantrae Castle, the residence of lord Durrisdeer. Only the exterior can be seen in the movie, all interior shoots were made in the studio. The restoration of the castle was completed 20 years before filming. Situated on an island surrounded only by a lake and mountains and no new buildings makes it an ideal location for historic films and TV-series, see also the website of Eilean Donan Castle.

The castle and Loch Duich are seen from a distance during the opening credits, unfortunately not once without the red titles. The second time Eilean Donan Castle appears is during a few seconds at the beginning of the movie when Jaime arrives on his horse, “a proud heir to a noble castle”.

The Master of Ballantrae, 0:03:44

Eilean Donan Castle, 5 August 2011

Not until the end of the film, when Jaime returns after wandering Europe, the castle can be seen again. A fight between Jaime, Henry and a number of British officers forces the brothers to flee Ballantrae Castle. To help them escape, a farmer leads his cows onto the bridge forcing the soldiers to finally chase them through to water.