Plunkett & Macleane Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two blokes, one posh, one not, decide robbing the rich is a good idea until feelings get in the way, and then it all goes pear-shaped in a very stylish, vaguely historical way.

🍿 Plunkett & Macleane: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Unlikely Partnership Forms

In 18th century England, Will Plunkett, a cunning apothecary-turned-highwayman, finds himself in a bind after his partner is killed. Meanwhile, Captain James Macleane, a disgraced soldier with connections to high society, faces financial ruin. Their paths collide, leading them to forge an unlikely partnership: Plunkett’s street smarts and Macleane’s social graces combine to create a formidable highway robbery duo.

The Gentlemen Highwaymen

Plunkett and Macleane quickly become known as ‘The Gentlemen Highwaymen,’ notorious for robbing the wealthy elite with a blend of daring and style. Macleane’s knowledge of aristocratic circles allows them to target the most lucrative marks, while Plunkett’s experience ensures their heists are executed with precision. They begin accumulating wealth, but also attract unwanted attention.

Love and Law Collide

During one of their robberies, Macleane encounters Lady Rebecca Gibson, the niece of Lord Chief Justice Gibson, and instantly falls in love. Meanwhile, Thief Taker General Chance, a ruthless lawman, becomes determined to capture the highwaymen, and also harbors his own desires for Rebecca. The pursuit intensifies, creating a dangerous love triangle amidst the escalating criminal activities.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Plunkett (Robert Carlyle): A street-smart highwayman with criminal know-how, seeking revenge and a better life.
• Macleane (Jonny Lee Miller): A disgraced aristocrat-turned-highwayman who uses his social connections to rob the wealthy.
• Chance (Ken Stott): The ruthless Thief Taker General determined to capture Plunkett and Macleane, and also desires Lady Rebecca.
• Lady Rebecca Gibson (Liv Tyler): The beautiful and cunning niece of Lord Chief Justice Gibson, who becomes the object of Macleane’s affection.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Plunkett: “He’s got more honour in his little finger than any of you fat bastards!” – Plunkett fiercely defends Macleane’s integrity against the snobbish aristocrats.
• Lord Rochester: “No, the new world is too far. Too big. Too primitive. No, no, my place is here… corrupting the young.” – Lord Rochester gives his reasoning on why he prefers to stay in England.
• Macleane: “It looked fantastic and we have a bloody good laugh.” – Macleane’s nonchalant reaction about their situation as highwaymen.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $474,900
• Worldwide Gross: $474,900

💥 Plunkett & Macleane Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved Plunkett & Macleane! It’s such a fun, stylish take on the historical genre. The soundtrack is amazing. I found myself humming it for days after! The scene where they rob the Lord Chief Justice’s coach is hilarious. It’s just a blast from start to finish and the chemistry between Carlyle and Miller is undeniable. Definitely a guilty pleasure!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Robert Carlyle and Jonny Lee Miller”
  • “Viewers interested in historical action with a modern twist”
  • “Audiences who enjoy films with unconventional soundtracks”
  • “People who like stories about unlikely partnerships”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Plunkett & Macleane is a stylish but ultimately hollow take on the historical action genre, weighed down by a thin plot and uneven tone. The film’s anachronistic music choices and over-the-top characters can be distracting, leaving viewers wanting more substance.
• IMDB: “A divisive film, Plunkett & Macleane either captivates with its stylish visuals and modern soundtrack or repels with its historical inaccuracies and uneven story. Carlyle and Miller deliver strong performances, but the film’s overall execution leaves something to be desired.

Audience Reactions

The unique blend of historical setting with modern music and dialogue created a fun and edgy experience.: Most viewers appreciated the film’s unconventional approach and the strong performances of the lead actors.

Overall Consensus: Plunkett & Macleane is a visually stylish but polarizing film that blends historical elements with modern sensibilities, offering an entertaining but not always cohesive experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film features an anachronistic soundtrack with techno music blended into the 18th-century setting, which was a stylistic choice by director Jake Scott.”
• “Some scenes were filmed on location in Prague, Czech Republic, to create the 18th-century London backdrop.”
• “The film’s title comes from the real-life historical figures William Plunkett and James Macleane, who were notorious highwaymen in 18th-century England.”

🖥️ How to Watch Plunkett & Macleane?

As of October 2024, “Plunkett & Macleane” is available for purchase or rent on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability, as offerings may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Plunkett & Macleane, you might like these similar films:

• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969): A classic buddy film about outlaws on the run, sharing a similar theme of camaraderie and adventure.
• The Full Monty (1997): Also starring Robert Carlyle, this film features a group of working-class men turning to crime (of a sort) with humor and heart.
• Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998): Fast-paced British crime caper with dark humor and memorable characters, appealing to the same sensibilities.
• The Gentlemen (2019): Stylish crime film with witty dialogue and ensemble cast, offering a modern take on the criminal underworld.

🛒 Plunkett & Macleane Related Products

• Plunkett & Macleane [Blu-ray]: Own the swashbuckling adventure on Blu-ray! Relive the action-packed scenes and enjoy the film’s stylish visuals in high definition. A must-have for fans of the movie and collectors of physical media.
• The Highwayman’s Handbook: A Guide to 18th Century Robbery: Discover the real-life history behind highwaymen. A factual book about the criminal underbelly of 18th Century England, and compare it to the fictionalized version portrayed in the film.
• 18th Century Costume Wigs: Channel your inner aristocrat with a high quality 18th century styled wig! Accessorize like Lord Rochester with elaborate period hair.

🎧 Soundtrack

Plunkett & Macleane features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “No. 9” – performed by Craig Armstrong

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Craig Armstrong – Hanging Escape

Love the music from Plunkett & Macleane? This video combines two of the best tracks from the soundtrack into one awesome piece. Trust me, it’s worth a listen!

Craig Armstrong – Plunkett & Macleane – Ball

This piece perfectly captures the elegance and tension of the ball scenes in Plunkett & Macleane. Give it a listen and get lost in the world of the film!

Craig Armstrong – Houses In Motion

Did you know there’s a cover of Talking Heads’ ‘Houses in Motion’ made specifically for the Plunkett & Macleane soundtrack? It’s a super cool and unexpected twist that’s definitely worth checking out!

✨ Rate