The Bridal Path

The story of a simpleton being sent from an island to the mainland to look for a bride who is not a Catholic nor a Campbell and has a good pair of legs for climbing the hills does not sound very promising. But the story works fairly well.

In the chase by the police across a midgeless Highlands, one is minded of the police chasing Hannay in Hitchcock's The 39 Steps. But as this is a comedy, the chase lacks any tension.

However, the performances are pretty good. George Cole came across well as a Scotsman.

Some of the humour is quite amusing; and even if the comedy situation is a bit silly, the dialogue is not.

The scenery is beautifully shot, and coupling it with the choir from Campbelltown is a masterstroke.

The film is enjoyable and well worth watching.

I haven't seen The Bridal Path in years. It used to be shown occasionally in the US but it is becoming rare that anything but American films are aired on TV. I remember the movie very well however and loved the sound track that included a Gaelic Choir in the background as Ewan tramped the West Highlands searching out a wife. The shopping list the elders gave him was hilarious. (good legs for the chickens etc) One of the funniest scenes was after he had befriended a police dog (following his arrest) they later loosed the same dog on him in pursuit. (He having escaped) Ewen was jumping into a row boat and the Alsatian jumped in and sat down beside him wagging his tail! The cinematography was beautiful as well with the glorious highlands in colour. Along with the funny story, the music and the spectacular shots it is burned in my mind as a terrific wee film. I wish it were out on DVD! Tapadh leibh, Brian Mac Sheumais Ceanadach

This is a little gem of a movie, made in more innocent times. It's about a man who leaves a small island and travels to the Scottish Mainland in search of a bride. A succession of unfortunate events befall him, and a number of well-known British character actors make appearances. Bill Travers is a square-jawed, handsome devil, but his character has a certain amount of smug machismo that would not play well nowadays. The small town Scotland of the 1950's is very well captured, and the ending is pure Judy Garland Wizard of Oz. Don't go looking for happiness - it's back home where you left it.

This time, Bill Travers' wife, Virginia McKenna, doesn't appear. To see them at their best in black and white 50's England, watch their superb movie "The Smallest Show on Earth", also starring Margaret Rutherford and a young Peter Sellers, who plays an elderly projectionist with a penchant for silent moves and the bottle.

A very funny film depicting the exploits of a Hebridean Scotsman and his search for a wife on the Scottish mainland. Though the dialog and comments by the characters often made me feel that you had to be either a Scottish Highlander or from Cape Breton Island in Canada to get some of the jokes (which are hilarious), I found the depiction of the locals to be both truthful and exaggerated, depending on the character. A previous commenter made reference to the "Irish" sound of the characters' speech. It is my experience that the Hebredians DO speak English in a rather Irish sounding way and not with the "burr" of the mainlanders. This to me makes the film easier to understand. I recommend the film highly.

A real gem of a movie.

Funny, filled with many 'weel kent' faces, beautiful scenery and music.

No smut, violence, or anything nasty.

Leaves a good feel factor after watching.

A classic in my opinion.