97 Minutes – Drama
Language: English
Release date: February 20, 2009
Canadian Distributor: Alliance Films

known as The Stone of Scone, it is believed to have first been used in the 9th century when the Scottish monarchy took their place on it during their coronation ceremony. But in 1296, Edward I, known as “Longshanks,” took the stone to Westminster Abbey to show the power England held over the Scots. The Stone was fitted into a wooden chair, known as St. Edward’s Chair, which has been used by all succeeding English sovereigns (except Queen Mary II) during the coronation ceremony. It was last used by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. But back to the story, and the film. Some seven centuries after The Stone was taken from Scotland, Ian Hamilton, a young political activist from Glasgow who is preparing to study law, persuades three friends to help him liberate The Stone. They break into Westminster Abbey in the early hours of Christmas morning and remove this powerful symbol of Scotland’s nationhood. To avoid detection and capture, they leave it in a field in Kent. Eventually, with some twists and turns, which includes a run-in with a group of “Travelers,” they are able to move the Stone to Scotland’s Arbroath Abbey. While their grand gesture ultimately results in their arrest, they are never prosecuted. The Stone was returned to Westminster Abbey, but with the re-emerging wave of Scottish nationalism The Stone of Destiny was returned to Edinburgh in 1996. The film is based on the book “The Taking of The Stone of Destiny” by Ian Hamilton Q.C., who also shows up in a small role in the movie.

Northernstars reviews Stone of Destiny.