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Stone of Destiny

  • 2008
  • PG
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
Stone of Destiny (2008)
The story of Ian Hamilton, a dedicated nationalist who reignited Scottish national pride in the 1950s with his daring raid on the heart of England to bring the Stone of Scone back to Scotland.
Play trailer1:30
1 Video
9 Photos
True CrimeAdventureComedyCrimeDramaHistory

The story of Ian Hamilton, a dedicated nationalist who reignited Scottish national pride in the 1950s with his daring raid on the heart of England to bring the Stone of Scone back to Scotlan... Read allThe story of Ian Hamilton, a dedicated nationalist who reignited Scottish national pride in the 1950s with his daring raid on the heart of England to bring the Stone of Scone back to Scotland.The story of Ian Hamilton, a dedicated nationalist who reignited Scottish national pride in the 1950s with his daring raid on the heart of England to bring the Stone of Scone back to Scotland.

  • Director
    • Charles Martin Smith
  • Writers
    • Ian Hamilton
    • Charles Martin Smith
  • Stars
    • Charlie Cox
    • Kate Mara
    • Stephen McCole
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    4.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Charles Martin Smith
    • Writers
      • Ian Hamilton
      • Charles Martin Smith
    • Stars
      • Charlie Cox
      • Kate Mara
      • Stephen McCole
    • 31User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    Stone of Destiny: Trailer
    Trailer 1:30
    Stone of Destiny: Trailer

    Photos8

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    Top cast40

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    Charlie Cox
    Charlie Cox
    • Ian Hamilton
    Kate Mara
    Kate Mara
    • Kay Matheson
    Stephen McCole
    Stephen McCole
    • Gavin Vernon
    Ciaron Kelly
    Ciaron Kelly
    • Alan Stuart
    Billy Boyd
    Billy Boyd
    • Bill Craig
    Robert Carlyle
    Robert Carlyle
    • John MacCormick
    Peter Mullan
    Peter Mullan
    • Harris Hamilton
    Brenda Fricker
    Brenda Fricker
    • Mrs. McQuarry
    Juliet Cadzow
    • Ian's Mother
    Alex Donald
    • London Policeman
    John Comerford
    • Pub Landlord
    Richard Addison
    Richard Addison
    • Tour Guide
    Danielle Stewart
    • Brochure Girl
    Suzanne Dance
    • Church Woman
    Pauline King
    • Jen
    Bryan Lowe
    • Student in Pub
    Margaret Newlands
    • B&B Owner
    Ron Donachie
    Ron Donachie
    • Night Watchman
    • Director
      • Charles Martin Smith
    • Writers
      • Ian Hamilton
      • Charles Martin Smith
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews31

    6.74.5K
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    Featured reviews

    7SnoopyStyle

    good old fashion caper

    It's 1950 Glasgow. Ian Hamilton (Charlie Cox) and his friend Bill Craig (Billy Boyd) are young Scottish Nationalists. John MacCormick (Robert Carlyle) is pushing for a Scottish Parliament and home rule. There is much apathy at home and rejection in London. Ian comes up with the idea of retaking the Stone of Destiny. It was the seat of Scottish royalty that was taken by the English to Westminster Abbey in London and incorporated into the Coronation Chair. Ian cases the Abbey and goes to MacCormick for financial help who is surprised by his lowly £50 request. Bill backs out fearing arrest. MacCormick directs Ian to Kay Matheson (Kate Mara) who brings along strong Gavin Vernon who then brings along his skinny friend Alan Stuart and a rundown car.

    This works as a good old fashion caper film. It's got plenty of underdog and a large splash of Scottish nationalism. Charlie Cox is solid with the wide-eyed youthful exuberance. The group's chemistry is generally good. The ending gets a bit too sentimental but that's perfectly fine for this movie.
    8scruffybobby

    Thoroughly enjoyable

    I just saw Stone of Destiny at its world premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival. The stars and director were in attendance as well as Ian Hamilton and Alan Stuart themselves.

    I enjoyed this film very much. It's got humour and heart and characters that you can really get behind. You really want to see them succeed. It's also hard not to feel a swell of patriotism come the end -if you're a Scot. Otherwise you'll still get a warm feeling inside The cast are likable and their performances are good - although Charlie Cox and Kate Mara's accents weren't entirely convincing they both put in winning performances. The supporting cast are also good value with Stephen McCole making a very personable member of the team. Billy Boyd and Robert Carlyle do well with slightly limited roles.

    There are a few niggles - like the aforementioned accents - and some suspiciously green looking trees given that its set in winter, but these are minor. I can see this doing very well when it is put on general release, and that success will be deserved.
    9fredericlindsay

    Don't let the critics put you off a worthwhile film

    I for one would like to enter a plea on its behalf that people should see this film and make up their own minds. As someone who knows something about shaping a story, I am sure that a wider audience will find it a very competent adventure story with moments of real suspense, while for Scots it gives them the flavour of a moment in history and catches very authentically the emotions roused in a wide range of people by the Stone's recovery. The participants, though young, had potentially too much to lose for the raid to be dismissed as a student prank. Like it or not, there was real patriotic fervour at work here and a desire to remedy an old wrong. This is a well written, well acted film, although the reaction of the Scottish critics would have you think otherwise. It is hard to know what personal or professional uncertainty made for such a grudging reception, but it would be a pity if it meant that fewer people saw the film.
    8johno-21

    Great little film

    I recently saw this at the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival. This is an adventure-comedy based on the real-life story of Ian Hamilton (Charlie Cox) who as a college student in Edinbourough, Scotland hatches an unlikely plot with the aid of a handful of fellow student to break into Wesminster Abbey in London and return to it's native land of Scotland the Stone of Destiny that for centuries has served as the coronation stone for the kings and queens of England. It's a feel-good enjoyable story based on Hamiltons book with the screenplay by director Charles Martin Smith. Smith as an American actor is known for his roles in such films as American Graffiti, The Untouchables, The Buddy Holly Story and Starman turns out a great product here in this little film as it's director. I would give it an 8.0 out of 10 and recommend it.
    8AvenuePark

    A gem of a feel-good movie, and that's coming from an Englishman!!!

    Since around the 9th century, tradition holds that Scottish monarchs took their place upon the Stone of Scone during their coronation ceremony, until 1296 when it was captured by Edward I and placed in Westminster Abbey under a seat upon which English sovereigns were crowned, thereby showing the English power over the Scots. "Stone of Destiny" tells the true story of Ian Hamilton, a young student and nationalist, who was to attempt to return the Stone to its rightful place in Scotland and thereby right a long-standing injustice by the English.

    The cast is strong and features the likes of Robert Carlyle, Brenda Fricker and Billy Boyd (that "fool of a Took"). However, Charlie Cox once again caught my attention following his leading role in Stardust. Given he is not a native Scot, he makes a great effort at the accent, and again manages to portray his character with a great balance of likability, determination and youthful exuberance, and gives us hope that some of the next generation's leading men can combine acting and looking good... Director Charles Martin Smith does wonderfully in conveying the underdog theme brilliantly with a good balance of action, comedy and emotion. It's a definite feel-good movie, with the people around me clapping at the end. 5 stars, a British gem.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Ian Hamilton: sour-faced English businessman who passes Ian Hamilton and Gavin Vernon as they get out of the car shortly before their first attempt to remove the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey (36 minutes).
    • Goofs
      The group is shown being arrested by the police at the end of the film, however in reality they were not arrested until some time later. The curator of Arbroath Abbey allowed the group sufficient time to make their escape before calling the police.
    • Quotes

      Ian Hamilton: On that day I heard the voice of Scotland speak as loudly as it did in 1320. As long as a hundred of us remain alive, we shall never give in to the domination of the English. We fight not for glory, not for wealth, nor honors, but only and alone for freedom, which no good man surrenders but with his life.

    • Soundtracks
      Tae the Battle
      Written by Tony Walker & Paul McKenzie

      Performed by The Real McKenzies

      Published by Tony Walker & Paul McKenzie

      Courtesy of Sudden Death Records

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 2008 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Камень судьбы
    • Filming locations
      • Glasgow University, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK
    • Production companies
      • Infinity Features Entertainment
      • The Mob Film Company
      • Alliance
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • €6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $347,045
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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