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| The Fighting Prince Of Donegal | 
 enlarge | Director: Michael O'herlihy
Actors: Peter Mcenery, Susan Hampshire, Tom Adams, Gordon Jackson, Andrew Keir
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
Category: DVD
Buy New: $20.00
New (13) from $20.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 36611
Format: Color, Full Screen, Mono
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 110
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 0-7888-6718-0
Model: 2007 DVD RELEASE
UPC: 786936701081
ASIN: B000P083RW
Theatrical Release Date: 1980
Publication Date: 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: In perfect condition.
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| Features:
| • | A DISNEY EXCLUSIVE DVD! | | • | DIGITALLY MASTERED | | • | GREAT ACTION ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY |
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Product Description
THE FIGHTING PRINCE OF DONEGAL 2007 DVD. ONE OF THE MANY GREAT FILMS SHOWN ON THE EARLY TV SERIES "THE WONDERFUL OF DISNEY" [1954-1983]
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| Customer Reviews:
The clans unite! April 9, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
An adventure story with lots of humour thrown in. A fictional story based on a real person, this is the story of Red Hugh, the real Prince of Donegal, Hugh O'Donell. During the 16th century reign of Queen Elizabeth I, England is at war with Spain while also having a civil war with Ireland. Fearing that the Spanish will sneak through Ireland to attack, they station troops in the countryside. The Irish clans are not pleased with the occupation and plan to rally under young Prince Donegal (played very well by Peter McEnery) to fight the resistance. He suggests an offer of treaty first, then war if it is not accepted. A prophecy stated that when "When Hugh succeeds Hugh, Ireland shall be free". When the elder Hugh dies and Red Hugh becomes Prince, many see this as their opportunity.
Spies learn of these developments and Donegal is thrown in the dungeon of a castle the English are using. He is captured and escapes not once but twice. He must fight his way back to his own castle to rescue his family and his sweetheart (Susan Hampshire, having been seen in "Three Lives on Thomasina" two years earlier)that are being held hostage by the British. He leads the big battle meant to turn the tables. The film is a bit confusing in the begiining but you quickly find out what the story is about.
Background info:
At the time production on this film began Walt Disney had not made a full-length British swashbuckler since "The Sword and the Rose" in 1953. Walt Disney decided to use an Irish-born theatrical director named Michael O'Herlihy, who had never made a movie up to this time. The screenplay was by Disney veteran Robert Westerby, (Three Lives of Thomasina, Zorro episodes, and The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh), and was based on a book "Red Hugh, Prince of Donegal" by Robert T. Reilly. The casting in the film is superb, with terrific supporting actors including Andrew Keir and Gordon Jackson. Great effort was made to be as authentic as possible for this costume period piece. Maurice Carter was the art director and Anthony Mendleson designed the costumes. Artists spent months creating a tapestry that hangs as a prop but is seen only briefly on film. Music by studio composer George Bruns who based the music on a 16th century Irish folksong "O'Donell Aboo". Peter Ellenshaw did his usual terrific job of special photographic effects, his stunning glass matte paintings made it possible to perceive different complete castles in the background of various scenes. The studio originally planned to shoot on location and scouted the real Donegal in Ireland, but the castle was a pile of rubble. They also considered Scotland, but settled on building huge sets at Pinewood studios in England. Their task was formidable with 2 castle interiors and the town of Dublin to build for starters. Specific scenes called for moats, battlements, castle gates, dungeons, long stairways, throne rooms, banquet halls, chambers, peasant cottages and more. The big banquet scene took 200 extras and 3 days to film.
The end result is imilar to Disney's "Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue" in style but much better. Released in full screen as it was originally filmed that way. While originally created for television, the final version was a bit long at 112 minutes. So instead it was released to theatres on October 1, 1966 two months before Walt passed away. It aired once as a 3 part episode show beginning October 1, 1967. Released to VHS in 1986, it finally made it to DVD in 2008. It has not been remastered but still looks good.
correction November 7, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This movie originally came out about 1966--because that's when I saw it--so it's an oldie but goodie. I was just a wee one, but I never forgot the names of Peter McEnery and Susan Hampshire...even though I've never seen them in anything else since. It was fun to a little girl's fancies!
fighting prince of donegal September 13, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
this is a wonderful story from disney of the 1970s produced in england.it has plenty of swordfighting and intrigue in the story.
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