Archibald Cunningham
The Rob Roy(1995) villain portrayed by Tim Roth, see above. First I want to say that I do not think this villain gets the credit he deserves. Being one of my favorite movie villains EVER...He is definitely one of the most underrated villains in movie history, and I say this only because usually anyone I bring him up to has no idea who I am talking about. What! You don't know Archibald Cunningham either? For shame!
Let us begin...
Just a brief and vague review if you have not seen the film:
It is based in the 1700s, following the story of our Scottish hero, Rob Roy played by Liam Neeson, struggling against the English aristocracy right around the time of the Jacobite Rebellion. (Don't the English aristocracy make for good villains? I mean, yeah! They are right up there with the Nazis, they just make for some great villains and film makers just love capturing it).
Rob Roy asks for a loan(1000 guineas) and is granted the money, only to have Archibald kill the carrier and steal the money for himself. Then, Rob Roy comes back to find out what happened to his money, but things go awry and Archibald is sent after our hero to bring him back in, "Broken, but not dead". Ooo oooOOoo oooOOOooo....
A wonderful movie, definitely worth the watch! The rest of this post will contain spoilers, so if you plan on seeing the film, beware!
What is so villainous about Archibald Cunningham ?
Well, he does have a backstory that peaks the interest. He had been sent away to live with the Marquis by his mother after she became upset with his behavior and playboy ways. He's a bastard (Bastards also make for great villains), and we are hinted at that his mother was raped or that his father "surprised her". He never knew his father and he keeps a photo of his mother on his person at all times. (Insert "Awwweeee" No! No! Just wait!)
Like I said, Archie is a play boy, he says so himself: "I am but a bastard abroad...as big a whore as my mother ever was." And he seduces the young maid, Betty, only to brush her off after she tells him that she is with his child and that she loves him. His response to her exclamation of love for him is: "Love is a dung hill, Betty, and I am but a cock that climbs upon it to crow." You is cold, Archie! Betty later commits suicide after realizing she has no where to go and is going to bore a bastard.
What I like about this story line though, is that you see another layer exposed in our very cruel and selfish villain. When he is first told that she is with child, he looks very thoughtful. He says," Well. When it asks for its father's name, at least you'll have it to give". His pain from the past brought back fresh.
He is a plotter and schemer, cool and calculating. This is another point I love about this villain in particular. Nothing is done with out calculation. He has a henchman! Well, not really a henchman but that is what I am going to call ,Killearn, who aids Cunningham along the way. He is just as despicable as Cunningham, he gets what he deserves in the end though!
Appearance wise, he is petite and dresses in the frilly fashions of the time. One of the few villains that can look intimidating in heels and a powdered wig. Like his father, he is a violator of women, raping Rob Roy's wife, Mary(Jessica Lange). Mary becomes pregnant and it is unclear whether the child is Archie's or her husbands. He terrorizes the Scottish, burning down Rob Roy's house.
He enjoys doing bad things and only cares for his own personal gain. His motive to steal the money was that he was broke, not caring if he had to kill a man in cold blood to get it. He is one of the most talented swordsman in the land. We learn this early on in the film when Archie is first introduced. In the end, there is one of the most epic sword fighting duels on screen between Rob Roy, who is already injured, and Archibald Cunningham. Archibald is dealt a horrendous death blow, which most likely satisfied every audience viewer ever in seeing this film.
Please let me know in the comments if I got anything wrong or left anything really significant out! I want to know what you think! If you have seen the movie, is Cunningham on your list of favorite villains? I would love to hear from you!