Whisky Galore!
1949
Filmed at Barra in the outer Hebrides, Whisky Galore was based upon a true incident, the foundering of a cargo ship off the Isle Of Eriskay with 50,000 cases of Scotch aboard. The Scottish islanders of Todday by-pass war time rationing and delight in smuggling cases of their favourite tipple from the wrecked ship. Basil Radford .. Read more
| Starring | Basil Radford, Joan Mackenzie |
|---|---|
| Director | Alexander Mackendrick |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Whisky Galore!
Filmed at Barra in the outer Hebrides, Whisky Galore was based upon a true incident, the foundering of a cargo ship off the Isle Of Eriskay with 50,000 cases of Scotch aboard. The Scottish islanders of Todday by-pass war time rationing and delight in smuggling cases of their favourite tipple from the wrecked ship. Basil Radford stars as the teetotal English official, who is totally unable to comprehend the significance of whisky to the islanders. Marvellously detailed and well played, it firmly established the richest Ealing vein with the common theme of a small group triumphing over a more powerful opponent.
| Starring | Basil Radford, Joan Mackenzie |
|---|---|
| Director | Alexander Mackendrick |
| Studio | OPTIMUM RELEASING |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 20 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 10 Oct 2005 Production year: 1949 |
| Format | DVD |
Whisky Galore! (1949)
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Adapted by Compton Mackenzie and Angus MacPhail from Mackenzie's own novel, Alexander Mackendrick's sublime film is one of the jewels in the Ealing crown. At the centre of this droll story of whisky smuggling in the Hebrides during the Second World War stands Basil Radford, who gives the performance of his career as the despised Sassenach commanding the local Home Guard. The Todday islanders are played to perfection by such accomplished players as Gordon Jackson, Wylie Watson and Joan Greenwood, while Catherine Lacey is a delight as Radford's wife, who greets his posturing and humiliation with equal detachment.
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What more unlikely basis for a warm and gently satirical comedy than a group of people literally dying for want of a drink?
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Most helpful member's review
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13 out of 13 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Chuckles galore
Delightfully chirpy little anti-establishment comedy with the inhabitants of a Hebridean island, laid low by the wartime shortage of whisky, suddenly getting very excited when a ship full of the stuff runs aground just off the coast. Radford as the leader of the Home Guard is a great pompous comic creation (the blueprint for Captain Manwaring of 'Dad's Army') who is determined that the shipment gets salvaged by the proper authorities. But this being an Ealing comedy, the simple folk of Todday prove to be far too wily for him. Shot on lovely locations, this is disarmingly good fun.
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Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
A "True" Ealing Classic
A black and white movie that you might have heard the title of but never thought I was for you,well think again.
Truly an Ealing Classic comedy along with others from the same studio such as The Lavender Hill Mob. -
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Filmed at Barra in the outer Hebrides, Whisky Galore was based upon a true incident, the foundering of a cargo ship off the Isle Of Eriskay with 50,000 cases of Scotch aboard. The Scottish islanders ... -