 The film closed the 33rd Annual Toronto International Film Festival on 13 September 2008; and was presented at The Hampton's International Film Festival in the United States.The film was released in the United Kingdom on 10 October 2008 and in Canada on 20 February 2009.In 1950 Ian Hamilton (Charlie Cox), an ardent member of the Scottish nationalist organisation, the Scottish Covenant Association, hopes to end what he sees as the political and economic subjugation of Scotland by England.