Plunkett & Macleane 1999

In the scorching summer of 1748, the roads of England are besieged by the nefarious actions of highwaymen, notably Will Plunkett and his partner, Rob. Their lives take a turn for the worse when Rob meets a tragic fate at the hands of Thief Taker General Chance after a failed heist near a debtor’s prison. Left to face the devastating aftermath alone, Plunkett becomes fixated on retrieving a valuable gemstone that Rob had swallowed before his death, drawing him deeper into a world filled with peril and intrigue.

Meanwhile, James Macleane, a refined socialite trapped in a debtor’s prison, witnesses the brutal demise of Rob and sees a golden opportunity to escape his own financial woes by claiming the coveted gemstone. However, Plunkett, always a step ahead, ambushes Macleane, forcing him to surrender his ill-gotten wealth.

In an unexpected twist of fate, these two former rivals form a fragile alliance while confined in Newgate Prison. Combining Plunkett’s criminal savvy with Macleane’s noble connections, they hatch a bold plan to escape, thereby birthing the legendary “Gentlemen Highwaymen” — a group that revels in liberating the affluent of their riches.

As their escapades unfold, Macleane finds himself irresistibly drawn to the beautiful Lady Rebecca, the niece of the powerful Lord Gibson. Their dreams of a new life across the ocean in British North America are dashed during a failed attempt to rescue Lady Rebecca from an unwanted marriage, leading to disaster and the sudden death of Lord Gibson.

Following this calamity, Macleane is captured and stands trial for the murder of Lord Gibson. Despite the accusations, he bravely asserts his innocence regarding the nobleman’s death while admitting to exploiting Plunkett. As he awaits his grim fate at Tyburn gallows, Plunkett risks it all to mount a daring rescue with the help of Lady Rebecca and the flamboyant Lord Rochester.

In a gripping sequence of events, the trio races through London’s intricate sewer systems, culminating in a nail-biting confrontation where Plunkett seeks revenge against Chance. With their enemies defeated and a chance at freedom beckoning, Plunkett, Macleane, and Lady Rebecca dash into the waiting darkness, ready to carve out their fates anew.