Review for Whisky Galore (80 Years of Ealing)

Having just got over reviewing the Blu-Ray edition of 'The Lavender Hill Mob' (my first 10/10 review in some 500 plus reviews) along comes another firm favourite of mine; 'Whiskey Galore'. The Blu-Ray is actually the fourth version of the film I have. I had it on VHS, standard 'no frills' DVD, a SE DVD with the TV documentary, a new transfer and packaged with a paperback version of Compton Mackensie's novel. The big question for many will be - is the quadruple dip worth it? Well, yes. And no. Let me explain.

'Whiskey Galore' was filmed on a shoe-string budget in 1949 (£110,000 - the equivalent of £2-3million in today's money) and was a directorial debut. It was also filmed entirely on location which was another first for the generally studio-bound Ealing group. Despite it being sublimely brilliant in every respect and utterly and enchantingly hilarious too (more later), this new transfer wasn't a 'head and shoulders above the DVD' version that you might expect. Now this may be no fault of the very diligent Studio Canal folk (in cahoots with Optimum Classics) but may in fact be due to the fact that the source material just isn't quite as rich in terms of lighting and heavy contrast and detail as the wonderful Lavender Hill Mob. It's better - no doubt about that - but not the huge leap that you may have hoped. Having said that, the SE DVD is rather good for that format. So a conundrum for obsessive lovers of the film who already have its previous formats.

For everyone (anyone) else - if you don't have a copy of the film already then you really need to make amends. It's a delightfully dour comedy that bears many repeated viewings. Indeed a film that I never tire of, despite its short length and repeated viewings; watched at least once a year for as far back as I can remember.

OK. Now for some background. The movie was made in 1949 by Ealing Studios and it was based on the novel of the same name by popular Scottish novelist Compton MacKenzie. Curiously it was named 'Tight Little Island' for the US rather than the same as the book, though heaven knows why. Maybe the mere mention of alcohol in a film title was frowned upon in 1949.

The book was based on an actual real-life tale from 1941 when the S.S. Politician was shipwrecked just off the coast of the Hebrides. What was particularly worthy of note was its cargo - whisky galore! According to the 1991 TV documentary included on the disc, teams were still trying to get their hands on in then and for all I know still have aspirations to reach it today.

The film is the story of the islanders of Todday in the Outer Hebrides. It opens in documentary style to show an island in mourning for a lost spirit - Britain has run out of whisky; an unimaginable hardship and a clearly grave consequence of war. One of the islanders even wonders if Churchill will make a speech on the wireless about it. It's a wonderful set up for a wonderful film.

In their hour of mourning a happy-go-lucky English Sergeant, Odd (Bruce Seton) returns to the island. He is in love with the local shop keepers daughter Peggy (Joan Greenwood). As if one romance were not enough his other daughter, Catriona (Gabrielle Blunt) is also being courted, this time by shy island schoolteacher George Campbell (Gordon Jackson). These lovely little sub-plots are established, along with the key plot within the first five minutes of the film. It may run for just 80 minutes but this is definitely a tight little movie!

When news of the sunken freighter hits the dry island, despite officials aplenty, the islanders work as a tight little underground unit to liberate as much whisky for themselves as possible. After all, there are some 50,000 cases to save before the ship finally sinks.

The only real obstacle for the islanders is Captain Paul Waggett (Basil Radford) of the Home Guard who takes his responsibility terribly seriously. As usual, Ealing comedies like nothing better than knocking authority, especially of the 'jumped up' variety.

The scenes at sea where the whisky is rescued are hopelessly ambitious and are frankly brilliantly shot, as are some of the ensemble pieces where we see some careful framing, maximizing the number of jolly islanders in medium shot as possible.

There are some really informative and worthwhile extras too.

The audio commentary by John Ellis (who had written a book on Ealing comedies in the late seventies as well as having produced the documentary included) is very informative, if a little dry. On balance, I generally prefer the commentaries of a film historian than those featuring actors who often know little about the film rather than their own splintered recollections.

You also get 'Distilling!' a TV documentary about the film made in 1991 which runs for a broadcast hour slot (minus eight minutes for adverts. Again - absolutely fascinating.

Nextis the telling of the' The Real Whisky Galore!' with Angus Campbell (20 min) which shows just how close to original events the book and the film were.

Next up is a slightly awkwardly set interview with Hilary Mackendrick (wife of director) 'In Conversation With Anthony Slide' (37 min) which is informative, but due to Hilary's lack of expression (possibly due to stroke or cosmetic surgery?) is oddly flat, if informative. The setting of two rickety chairs and the camera-work (just a single camera without cuts) all looks a little amateurish for this set, but it's an interesting Finally, the standard trailer and production stills gallery are also included.

A most worth-while addition to your library.