In big budget ITV drama mini-series The Master of Ballantrae we are in 1745 when two Scots brothers, James (Richard Thomas) and Henry (Michael York), toss a coin to decide who will join Bonnie Prince Charlie’s (Pavel Douglas) army. When Henry is mistakenly believed to have been killed in battle , James takes over as Master of Ballantrae, while Henry embarks on a series of adventures.
This was a high profile, all star production given a prestigious TV Times cover for the week of it’s premiere, Richard Thomas was the American star of The Waltons and Michael York was English but the pair acquitted themselves well as the Scottish brothers.
The same country house used in Ballantrae also appeared in HTV’s earlier take on Jamaica Inn.
The series was a three parter with the episodes shown over two evenings (episodes two and three were broadcast either side of News of Ten).
Cast: Richard Thomas as Henry; Michael York as James; John Gielgud as Lord Durrisdeer; Timothy Dalton as Burke; Ian Richardson as Mackellar; Finola Hughes as Alison; Brian Blessed as Captain Teach; Pavel Douglas as Prince Charles; Kim Hicks as Jessie; James Cosmo as Horseman; Donald Eccles as John Paul; Robert James as Macconochie; James Coyle as Grady; Eddie Tagoe as Roberts; John Abineri as Naval Captain; Jeremy Bulloch as First Officer; Cornelius Garrett as French Sergeant; Alpana Sengupta as First Indian Girl; Gigi Chowdhury as Second Indian Girl; Katya Mirza as Indian Girl; Esmail Sheikh as Tabla Player; Mick Taylor as Sitar Player; Conrad Phillips as Parisian Gentleman; Nick Brimble as Chew
Writer: William Bast / Novel: Robert Louis Stevenson / Music: Bruce Broughton / Producer: Peter Graham Scott / Director: Douglas Hickox
UK / ITV – HTV / 3×60 minute episodes / 16 – 17 April 1984
