Whisky sì missili no

Based on one of the stories by the famous Compton Mackenzie, this is a feeble film about the residents of a small island in the Hebredies and their attempts to prevent the RAF building a rocket base on their island.

I fell asleep (which is unusual).

The main benefit it that it is in colour. Enjoy the scenery and ignore the plot.

The post-World War II British government wants to build an out-of-the-way rocket base on a tiny Scottish island over the objections of the inhabitants, some of whom will be evicted.

Remember when an overreaching government trampling over people's liberties was the boogie-man, before it became "corporations" (with no line drawn between big businesses and small groups of private citizens who band together corporately as in "Americans United"?) By the 1980s a similar plot was hatched, more cleverly, in "Local Hero" where the Businessman was not only the Big, Bad Wolf, he was (wait for it) an American! And the height of a corporation trying to raid a country is "The Coca-Cola Kid" with Eric Roberts and Gretta Scacchi, though all they wanted to displace was a local beverage of choice whose company was run by a crotchety old man (Bill Kerr).

This tale is Compton MacKenzie's own follow-up to TIGHT LITTLE ISLAND (a.k.a., "Whisky Galore") set on the same island with some of the same cast. But just because the same mind lies behind a sequel doesn't mean it's as good.

It has good moments, such as when a couple of residents mistake a boiling tea kettle for a rocket about to crash on them. And when a German scientist who went to Britain after the war and says things like "We British--!" But don't expect a lot of fast-paced car chase hilarity. It's not that sort of flick.

Mostly, it's a light-handed meditation on how far the government could and should dictate people's lives and how far is too far in protecting its citizens (the mention of an Orwellian "Ministry of Protection" is reminiscent of the French Revolution's Department of Pubic Safety--which was charged with lopping off heads).

In real life, the government, any government would win. In this flick--but that would be a spoiler.

Some very good performances, plus a few names like Donald Sinden and Gordon Jackson--not big stars, perhaps but known in America.

I can only assume that dj_kennett watched this film on the ABC, who usually show this film here in Australia in their last timeslot of the night, just before dawn. This may explain the falling asleep.

Though by no means a great film there are many little points of interest, including the scenery of the Isle of Barra that dj mentioned, the bits of Gàidhlig that appear here and there and some singing. See if you recognize Ronnie Corbett (listed as Ronald).

So, not something I'd go out of my way to see, but worth a look if it comes your way.

Slàinte!

"Rockets Galore" is supposed to be a sequel, of sorts, to "Whiskey Galore!"...which was made about a decade earlier. However, most of the people in the film are different actors and characters, though the setting (a tiny Scottish island) is the same.

When the film begins, you learn that the British government is planning on building a missile base on tiny Toddaya island. And, this will also mean displacing many people from their homes! Considering how isolated the place is, clearly moving many families will cause a HUGE disruption in their lives. Much of the film is about how the locals do their best to discourage the government...and some of these schemes are rather funny.

This movie is funny but its main strength is in the sweetness of the characters and community. It also helps that unlike the earlier film, this one is in vivid color...and it looks lovely. Overall, a highly creative and fun film...one that is well worth your time.

This seems to be an earlier version of "Local Hero" with only small changes to the plot outline. i.e. Englishman comes to survey a Scottish Island with a rocket launch site in mind, local objection and Scottish wits persuades the government otherwise. It's OK for the time it was made and I've sat through worse. I come from Scotland so I will watch anything that has been filmed there, within reason! It contains all the elements of that time, such as romance, wine, women and song. Donald Sinden is (as ever) very dashing and gives us ladies something to concentrate on other than the plot. The cast contains many famous Scottish actors and comedians that are probably not well known outside their home turf.