The Fighting Prince of Donegal
| The Fighting Prince of Donegal | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Michael O'Herlihy |
| Produced by | Walt Disney |
| Written by | Robert Westerby, Robert T. Reilly |
| Starring | Peter McEnery, Susan Hampshire, Tom Adams |
| Music by | George Bruns |
| Cinematography | Arthur Ibbetson |
| Editing by | Peter Boita |
| Studio | Walt Disney Productions |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
| Release date(s) | October 1, 1966 |
| Running time | 110 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom United States |
| Language | English |
The Fighting Prince of Donegal is a 1966 Disney adventure film starring Peter McEnery and Susan Hampshire, based on the novel Red Hugh: Prince of Donegal by Robert T. Reilly. It was released through Buena Vista Distribution Company.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Set in the late 1580s, the film very loosely follows the real-life exploits of the 16th century Irish prince "Red" Hugh O'Donnell. The story begins when Hugh's father, the king, dies, leaving his son the throne of Donegal. With his ascension to the throne, an Irish prophecy is seemingly fulfilled which promises independence from Elizabethan and English rule. The O'Donnell lords see this occurrence as the opportunity to strike back at the foreigners by force, but Hugh convinces them the right plan is to band together with the other clans of the island, and bargain for their freedom from a position of strength. As he prepares for battle, O'Donnell also courts the beautiful Kathleen McSweeney, to further augment the clans of Ireland.
[edit] Cast
- Peter McEnery as Hugh O'Donnell
- Susan Hampshire as Kathleen McSweeney
- Tom Adams as Henry O'Neill
- Gordon Jackson as Captain Leeds
- Norman Wooland as Sir John Perrott
- Richard Leech as Phelim O'Toole
- Peter Jeffrey as Sergeant
- Marie Kean as The Mother
- Bill Owen as Officer Powell
- Maurice Roëves as Martin
- Donal McCann as Sean O'Toole
[edit] Reception
Critical reception was split on Fighting Prince between those who thought it cliched and oversimplified ( Variety and Time) and those who accepted it as unpretentious fun (the New York Herald Tribune and The New York Times).
The film did not do well at the box office.[1]
[edit] About the Author
Robert T. Reilly (1922-2004) was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, but lived much of his life in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a veteran of World War II and raised 10 children. His book, Red Hugh: Prince of Donegal, was published in 1957. He died in 2004.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ Maltin, Leonard. The Disney Films. Bonanza Press, 1978, page 244.
