Rob Roy

Where would the Scotish be without their outlaws? In the spirit of (and same year as) Braveheart comes yet another rousing Scotish epic. The recreation of period detail and characteristics are excellent -- it makes you feel like you're in 17th century Scotland. The cast, led by Liam Neeson, which includes Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Eric Stoltz, and Brian Cox all perform valiantly. Rob Roy is a man who will die for his honor, and to protect the honor of those he loves -- against the aristocratic English if he must, since they have done him wrong. Alan Sharp's script is equally as manly and as poetic (in that highlander sort of way) as Randall Wallace's for Braveheart, but as good as Liam Neeson is in the role, Mel Gibson will forever be etched in our minds as the true Scotish outlaw. The landscape is beautiful and there's an excellent swordfight between Neeson and Roth. It's good in almost every way, but it's not a great film.