Synopsis

The 18th century Scottish legend of Robert Roy MacGregor comes to life in this stylish adaptation of the swashbuckling novel by Sir Walter Scott.

Robert Roy MacGregor (Liam Neeson) is a cattle drover and the leader of a clan in 18th century Scotland. He seeks and receives a loan of £1000 from the Marquis of Montrose (John Hurt), however one of the Marquis's henchmen, Archibald Cunningham (Tim Roth), learns about the loan from Montrose's factor, Killearn (Brian Cox). Cunningham kills MacGregor's best friend MacDonald (Eric Stoltz) and steals the money.

When he is unable to pay his loan, Rob Roy is forced to become an outlaw after he refuses to bear false witness for Montrose against the Duke of Argyll (Andrew Keir). He is hunted by  the evil Cunningham, who rapes MacGregor's wife Mary (Jessica Lange) to provoke him. Rob Roy is ultimately captured by Cunningham after Cunningham kills his brother. However when Cunningham presents him to Montrose, MacGregor escapes.

Meanwhile, Mary tells the Duke of Argyll that MacGregor fled Montrose because of his refusal to bear false witness against him. She persuades Argyll to propose to Montrose a duel between MacGregor and Cunningham, leading to a climactic sword duel to the death.