In 18th century Scotland, David Balfour sets out to claim his inheritance from his greedy old uncle, who colludes with an unscrupulous sea captain to have David press ganged on board a ship. When Alan Breck (‘an outlaw and a gentleman’) joins the ship, he and David become unlikely allies, setting off across Scotland together to reclaim David’s birthright. The adventure proceeds briskly from the start, but the swash is firmly buckled in when Breck appears, cutting a dash with his splendid garb and prodigious moustache. The New Jersey locations may be a poor stand-in for the Scottish Highlands, and the scene at Queensferry may fudge the view across the Firth of Forth, but the film’s tartan heart is absolutely in the right place.

Dir. Alan Crosland | USA | 1917 | N/C PG b&w, tinted | English intertitles | 1h 4m

With: Raymond McKee, Robert Cain, Joseph Burke

Performing live: John Sweeney (piano)

Online programme notes: Fritzi Kramer

Screening material courtesy of the Library of Congress and Fritzi Kramer moviessilently.com