Movies help you bring Scotland into your living room Several films from Scotland have been successful in the past few years. The historical dramas Rob Roy and Braveheart were created by Hollywood powerhouses, while such homegrown hits as Trainspotting and Shallow Grave have done their part to create stars of Scots Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle. The most significant thing these films have in common is the country and the culture they bring to an international audience. Local Hero stars Jennifer Black and Denis Lawson. Features this week: King MacBeth - this week's Famous Scot All about "The Kilt" Clan of the Week: Clan Kinnaird Cut to: Scottish Film However, Trainspotting and Braveheart represent only a portion of the most recent examples of good Scottish filmmaking. Scotland and its children have played their parts in movies for many years. In 1935, Hitchcock filmed The Thirty-Nine Steps in South Queensferry, Scotland. In 1969, Scottish writer Muriel Spark's novel The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was adapted for the screen, and Maggie Smith won an Oscar for her portrayal of the title character. In 1983, Bill Forsyth's Local Hero won praise for bringing the soul of the people and culture of Scotland to the screen. As well, Scottish heroes have been immortalized on film. Chariots of Fire told the story of Scottish Olympic runner Eric Liddell; it won four of the seven Oscars it was nominated for in 1982. Braveheart, of course, made national hero William Wallace a household name outside of Scotland. Of course, no one film has successfully captured what it means to be Scottish. Scotland's role in movies can range from simply providing a beautiful setting to lending a national hero like William Wallace or Rob Roy MacGregor to the storytellers. But whether a film gives us only a glimpse of a Scottish castle, or is an entirely homegrown effort, movies are a great way for Scots around the world to visit the country of their ancestors from the comfort of their living room. Pop a Scottish movie into your VCR tonight. --MRB May-25-99