Plunkett & Macleane (1999)

25% of critics liked it
(28 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(7,035 ratings)

A historical comedy that applies a 1990's mindset to a tale of crime in the 1740's, Plunkett and Macleane stars Robert Carlyle as Will Plunkett and Jonny Lee Miller as Capt. James Macleane. Plunkett is a druggist who has gone broke and turned to robbery to pay his bills, while Macleane was a minor… More A historical comedy that applies a 1990's mindset to a tale of crime in the 1740's, Plunkett and Macleane stars Robert Carlyle as Will Plunkett and Jonny Lee Miller as Capt. James Macleane. Plunkett is a druggist who has gone broke and turned to robbery to pay his bills, while Macleane was a minor member of the aristocracy who has resorted to similar means to support himself. The two meet while serving time in prison, and after comparing notes they set out together for a career in crime. They soon discover they make a good team; Plunkett understands the nuts and bolts of theft well enough, while Macleane has the charm and connections to get them into places where they might find things worth stealing. When Macleane manages to wrangle an invitation to a night of gambling at the estate of Lord Rochester (Alan Cumming), he uses the occasion to his advantage, making the acquaintance of the lovely Rebecca (Liv Tyler) at the party and donning a mask to relieve her of her winnings on the way home. The charm and panache with which the pair commit their crimes give them a widespread reputation as "The Gentlemen Highwaymen," but Rebecca's uncle, Lord Chief Justice Gibson (Michael Gambon) is not amused, and when an especially ruthless lawman, Chance (Ken Scott), is sent on their trail, Plunkett is eager to quit while he's ahead and flee the country. Macleane, however, is too busy wooing Rebecca to listen to reason. Plunkett and Macleane is the first feature film from director Jake Scott, who has a background in commercials and music videos and is now moving forward in the family business -- his father is Ridley Scott, while his uncle is Tony Scott. If you think you've seen leading men Carlyle and Miller together before, you have -- they were also co-stars in Trainspotting. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Jake Scott
Written By: Charles McKeown
Genres: Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Oct 1, 1999 Wide
On DVD: May 1, 2001
Studio: Nitestar Home Video

Critic Reviews

Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
A rollicking time at the movies, if not exactly enlightening.
Martin Scribbs, Low IQ Canadian
The best argument ever made for the carpet bombing of Hollywood.

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Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

A gentleman who is down on his luck teams up with a peasant highwayman in a plan to identify and rob the effete aristocracy of their ill-gotten gains. Plunkett And Macleane was at the receiving end of a critical savaging upon its release at the tail end of the Britpop era, and is one… More
A gentleman who is down on his luck teams up with a peasant highwayman in a plan to identify and rob the effete aristocracy of their ill-gotten gains. Plunkett And Macleane was at the receiving end of a critical savaging upon its release at the tail end of the Britpop era, and is one of the first attempts at geezer-izing history. Since the advent of Guy Ritchie and even, to some extent, Pirates Of The Caribbean, the formula seems a lot more familiar. A bit of a marriage of Richard Lester's The Three Musketeers and Carry On Dick, it's basically a period caper movie that combines three corner hats and duelling pistols with the British love of nob jokes and the decent cast with just the right level of irreverence actually makes it work pretty well. The jokes are a little hit and miss, but there are plenty of now familiar faces to spot in the background (including Matt Lucas and David Walliams of Little Britain fame) and it's quite an enjoyable romp if you don't take it too seriously. Carlyle is charismatic as the no-nonsense highwayman, Liv Tyler looks lovely and Ken Stott is a very hissable villain making for a likeable pantomime that didn't really deserve the mauling it took.
Cynthia S

People keep comparing this to A Knights Tale. Knights Tale was sooooo much better. This movie I just found annoying most of the time. Not a bad movie, but just didn't do it for me like most movies set in this time period.
Marion R

Very generic even though it tries hard not to be. I just found most of what was going on screen very unnecessary and puffy, it was just icing there was no deeper meaning than that.
Sarah B

It may be flawed, but true perfection is imperfect right? I love the gritty realism of the situation, period, and Carlyle's and Lee Miller's relationship. I must admit that's not for everyone, but if you want to see the bright side of life go bury your head in the sand… More
It may be flawed, but true perfection is imperfect right? I love the gritty realism of the situation, period, and Carlyle's and Lee Miller's relationship. I must admit that's not for everyone, but if you want to see the bright side of life go bury your head in the sand bucket.
Leo L

A personal favorite.
FanGirl B

Stylish and fun! This is one of those movies you either love or hate. I love it. Normally I can't stand periods pieces with a contemporary flair, but this one does it well and doesn't hit you over the head with it. When the chips are down it's more of a period piece… More
Stylish and fun! This is one of those movies you either love or hate. I love it. Normally I can't stand periods pieces with a contemporary flair, but this one does it well and doesn't hit you over the head with it. When the chips are down it's more of a period piece than a modern piece, if that make any since.