Culloden (1964)
Culloden, Scottish Highlands, April 16th, 1746. It was one of the most mishandled and brutal battles ever fought in Great Britain. Its aftermath was tragic. The men responsible for such a disaster must be exposed. The men, women and children who suffered because of it must be remembered.
- Peter Watkins
- Peter Watkins
- John Prebble
Rating: 7.3/10 by 48 users
Alternative Title:
The Battle of Culloden - US
Bericht einer Schlacht - DE
Die Schlacht bei Culloden - DE
Куллоден - RU
Country:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 09 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $0
Plot Keyword: scotland, british army, highlander, docudrama, 18th century, jacobite rebellion, historical reenactment, scottish highlands, struggle for independence, house of stuart
This must be one of the first docudramas around. They interview the battle participants and bystanders as in a documentary, but of course they are all actors since the battle took place in the 1700s. The film must mean more to the British and Scottish viewers than a mere Anglophile like myself, as it involves the last land battle fought on their soil and the final one of this clan uprising under the overrated Bonnie Prince Charlie. The show suggests that the Scottish strategy was deeply flawed to the point that the Prince’s own generals were mystified, and that it led not only to defeat but to practically a massacre, with 1200 deaths compared to 50 British soldiers. The movie also discusses the post-battle hunting down of upper clan survivors and families, leading to a rampage of rape and murder that would have done Hitler proud. Culloden has aged fairly well, retaining some interest even after over 50 years and despite it concerning a relatively minor battle in world history.