So much average

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

We saw this on Netflix streaming.Even though Scotland is part of the British empire, they never have fully considered themselves "British." One item particularly, called the 'Stone of Destiny", represented their national pride. But some centuries earlier this stone, which probably weighs a few hundred pounds, was confiscated and then located in a chapel in Westminster Abby, under a chair, built in as part of the chair.Charlie Cox is 1950s vintage Ian Hamilton who, after listening to a lot of idle conversation about Scotland losing its national identity, decided to do something about it. As a gesture he would take the Stone of Destiny and bring it back to Scotland. A mere college student, it was a great task. This movie is based on those events, where Ian got a group of 4 together to make the heist on Christmas Eve and into the early morning hours when he figured security would be the most lax.Kate Mara, a New Yorker, is Scot Kay Matheson who joins Ian's efforts and eventually becomes his girlfriend. Of interest was Robert Carlyle of many "bad boy" roles as John MacCormick who was some Scot official who was aware of the plan. SPOILERS: The group succeeded, in a sort of manner, and did return the Stone to Scotland, but were eventually found out and arrested, but never brought to trial. The stone was subsequently "loaned" to Scotland, subject to recall when a new Soveriegn is installed.

Going by the title, I initially thought it would be some lame sci-fi flick about a quest for some magical rock. I am so glad I was wrong, and I am so glad I took the time to watch it.This heart-warming story about Ian Hamilton and his attempt to steal back a huge rock of historical importance to Scotland was, in my opinion, well-written, well cast, and very entertaining - you really can't help but feel for Ian and his friends. I especially loved how entertaining it was when Ian (Charlie Cox) and his oddball gang came across so many obstacles in trying to steal the Stone.I would definitely encourage you to watch it if you haven't already.

Some nice photography but the film is let down by aggravating inaccuracies. Hair is too modern for 1950. Car registration CLS and NLS were never used. Used blatant Glasgow and Edinburgh style streets as Westminster. Women were not frequenters of pubs in the fifties. Westminster bridge with bus lanes and road markings are obviously 21st century. Surely some archive could have been used as no actors were involved. Country roads had no white lines until late fifties. And lastly, police vehicles did not have sirens until the sixties. Police men had whistles and cars had bells. Acting pretty good on the whole and I didn't spot the leading actress' accent as non Scottish (I'm Scot) or any Canadian locations. I'm surprised that the writer didn't notice some of these.

My wife and I took our 10 year old. The time didn't drag and it was nicely done. Not a life changing, earth shattering film that you'd necessarily bother to see again, but it passed a pleasant evening and we were glad we'd gone to see it. It captured the sometimes bumbling and chaotic nature of of this kind of endeavour, and there were a few edge of the seat moments. The acting was fine and it captured the feel of a different era when we weren't so paranoid about terrorism and public buildings were much more easily accessible. I guess a lot of non-Scots won't fully understand the reference to the Declaration of Arbroath (I saw it on display in Edinburgh many years ago and it blew me away - and I'm an Englishman!).