Stone of Destiny (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stone of Destiny |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Charles Martin Smith |
| Produced by | Andrew Boswell Rob Merilees |
| Written by | Charles Martin Smith |
| Starring | Charlie Cox Billy Boyd Robert Carlyle Kate Mara Bryan Lowe Brenda Fricker |
| Cinematography | Glen Winter |
| Editing by | Fredrik Thorsen |
| Studio | Infinity Features Entertainment The Mob Film Company |
| Distributed by | Alliance Films (Canada) Odeon Sky Filmworks (United Kingdom) |
| Release date(s) | 28 June 2008 (Edinburgh International Film Festival) 10 October 2008 |
| Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom Canada |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £6 million |
Stone of Destiny is an exciting 2008 film from Scotland and Canada. It's a mix of history, adventure, and comedy. The movie was written and directed by Charles Martin Smith. It stars actors like Charlie Cox, Billy Boyd, Robert Carlyle, and Kate Mara.
The film is based on a true story from 1950. It's all about a famous stone called the Stone of Scone. This stone was very important for Scottish kings, who were traditionally crowned on it. But in 1296, King Edward I of England took the stone and moved it to Westminster Abbey in London. He placed it under the throne there.
In 1950, a group of Scottish students decided to bring the stone back to Scotland. They managed to take it from Westminster Abbey. After its journey, the stone was placed at Arbroath Abbey. This place is special because the Declaration of Arbroath was signed there. This declaration is a very important document in Scottish history.
The movie started filming in June 2007. They filmed in many places across Scotland, Wales, and England. The filmmakers even got special permission to film inside Westminster Abbey. The film first showed at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland on June 21, 2008. It was also shown at film festivals in Toronto, Canada, and Hampton's, USA. The movie was released in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2008, and in Canada on February 20, 2009.
Contents
The Story of the Stone
In 1950, a young man named Ian Hamilton (Charlie Cox) was a strong supporter of Scottish nationalism. This means he wanted Scotland to be an independent country. He was part of a group called the Scottish Covenant Association. Ian felt sad that many Scots seemed okay with things staying the same. He dreamed of a time when Scotland could make its own decisions.
A Plan to Inspire Change
Ian and his friend, Bill Craig (Billy Boyd), wanted to do something big. They wanted to inspire people to care more about Scotland's future. After a request for Scotland to have more control over its own laws was turned down, Ian decided on a symbolic act. He planned to bring the Stone of Scone back home to Scotland. This stone had been in Westminster Abbey in London for centuries. It was taken by King Edward I a long time ago.
Ian and Bill started researching Westminster Abbey. They looked at floor plans and security to plan their mission. But Bill soon realized how serious the legal problems could be. He worried about how it might affect his life and career, so he decided not to go through with it.
Finding Help for the Mission
Ian didn't give up. He decided to try and get the stone by himself. He went to John MacCormick (Robert Carlyle), a well-known person who supported more power for Scotland. Ian asked him for a small amount of money, just £50. At first, Mr. MacCormick didn't take Ian's idea seriously. But he thought about it and decided to help.
Later, at a party, Mr. MacCormick told Ian about Kay Matheson (Kate Mara). She was a young woman who also had strong ideas about Scottish independence. Ian met Kay, and she soon introduced him to Gavin Vernon (Stephen McCole). Gavin was another student, known for being strong.
On the day they were supposed to leave for London, Gavin brought his quiet friend, Alan Stuart (Ciaron Kelly), along. Ian wasn't sure about having a fourth person. But Gavin convinced him that Alan and his car would be very useful. They all agreed to try and take the stone on Christmas Eve. They thought everyone in London would be busy with holiday celebrations.
The Night of the Adventure
The four students arrived in London the day before Christmas Eve. They decided to try and get the stone that very night, instead of waiting. They drove to Westminster Abbey. But their plans hit a snag when a watchman saw Ian. The watchman thought Ian was homeless and let him go.
Soon after, Kay got sick with a fever. Ian took her to a bed and breakfast to rest. The landlady there became suspicious. She noticed their Scottish accents and how they were acting. When Ian came back for Kay at 2:00 A.M., the landlady called the police. The police also thought the young Scots were up to something. But the group managed to avoid being arrested.
That night, while Kay waited in the car, Ian, Gavin, and Alan broke into Westminster Abbey. They managed to take the Stone of Scone! But as they moved it, the stone broke into two pieces. They saw that the crack had been there for a long time and was just patched up. The group drove towards the Scottish border. They hid the larger piece of the stone in a field.
Bringing the Stone Home
After returning to Glasgow, the students saw how excited everyone was about the stone being taken. They then learned that the stone could be damaged if left outside. So, they went back to the field to get it. A group of Romani people, who were camped in the field, helped them.
Once the two parts of the stone were put back together, the students decided to return it. They offered to give it back to the authorities at Arbroath Abbey. This place was chosen because it's very important to Scottish history. The police arrived and questioned the students. They were charged, but never actually went to court.
The Stone of Scone was returned to London. It stayed there until 1996. Then, it was moved to Edinburgh Castle as a "loan." The agreement was that it would be brought back to Westminster Abbey for the next coronation of a British king or queen.
The People in the Film
- Charlie Cox as Ian Hamilton
- Kate Mara as Kay Matheson
- Robert Carlyle as John MacCormick
- Billy Boyd as Bill Craig
- Stephen McCole as Gavin Vernon
- Ciaron Kelly as Alan Stuart
- Peter Mullan as Harris Hamilton, Ian's father
- Brenda Fricker as Mrs. McQuarry
- Juliet Cadzow as Ian's mother
- Alex Donald as London Policeman
- John Comerford as Pub Landlord
- Richard Addison as Tour Guide
- Danielle Stewart as Brochure Girl
- Suzanne Dance as Church Woman
- Pauline King as Jen
- Bryan Lowe as Student in Pub
- Margaret Newlands as B&B Owner
- Ron Donachie as Night Watchman
- Rab Affleck as Gypsy
- Stewart Porter as Veteran in Pub
- Bernard Horsfall as Archdeacon
- Stephen Clyde as Abbey Constable
- Johnny Meres as Detective
- Stewart Cairns as Reporter
- Ian Hamilton as English Businessman (cameo)
Where They Filmed
The movie Stone of Destiny was filmed in many interesting places:
- Arbroath, Angus, Scotland
- Bridgend, Wales, UK
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland
- Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland
- Glenfinnan Viaduct, Fort William, Highland, Scotland
- London, England, UK
- Oakshaw Street East, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland
- Paisley Abbey, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Westminster Abbey, London, England, UK
