The Gaelic King

Set amongst the glens of the ancient kingdom of Dalriada, this is quite a decent no-budget fantasy adventure that follows "Alpin" (Jake McGarry) and his young son "Finn" (Noah Irvine) as they traverse the wilderness trying to find a means to reclaim his regal inheritance. They arrive in the village ... of "Unust" (Simon DeSilva) where after a bit of a tussle, they discover that their children have all been kidnaped by an evil sorceress ("Riada"). An alliance looks the best plan and off into the forest they go. Along the way, they are set upon by the Pictish queen "Nathara" (Kerry Browne) whom they must also convince to join their quest... It's all pretty standard storytelling fayre, this film - but there is some lovely Argyllshire photography and a last twenty minutes that actually deliver some mystical visual effects quite effectively bringing about the entirely predicable denouement before a Clannad-style closing balled. The acting and the writing are entirely forgettable, though, and the action scenes are distinctly uncomplicated - sort of sword going under the armpit sort of style that you'd have used in school play. It's adequate. read more