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Whisky Galore! is a 1949 British comedy film produced by Ealing Studios, starring Basil Radford, Bruce Seton, Joan Greenwood and Gordon Jackson. It was the directorial debut of Alexander Mackendrick; the screenplay was by Compton Mackenzie, an adaptation of his 1947 novel Whisky Galore, and Angus MacPhail. The story—based on a true event, the ...
Feb 5, 2016 · 05 February 2016 by Richard Woodard. It’s precisely 75 years since the historical event which inspired the book and film of Whisky Galore! But the true story of the sinking of the SS Politician is even more remarkable than the fictional tale, reports Richard Woodard. Precious cargo: the SS Politician foundered off Eriskay 75 years ago.
- Elixir House, Whitby Avenue, Park Royal, NW10 7SF, London
Whisky Galore!: Directed by Alexander Mackendrick. With Basil Radford, Catherine Lacey, Bruce Seton, Joan Greenwood. Scottish islanders try to plunder 50,000 cases of whisky from a stranded ship.
- Alexander Mackendrick
- 1 min
Feb 4, 2011 · Real Whisky Galore story is still being written. Seventy years on it remains one of the most romantic island tales. The people of Eriskay, in the Outer Hebrides, awoke on 5 February 1941 to find a ...
- Disaster For SS Politician
- S.O.S and Salvage
- Compton Mackenzie
- Whisky Galore
- Community Spirit
- Worldwide Fame and A Local Legacy
- Explore More Whisky Galore!
The SS Politician launched in 1921 under her original name SS London Merchant. Sold in 1935, she was renamed and became affectionally referred to as Pollyby her crew. Then during the World War Two, she participated in the Atlantic convoys supplying goods between Britain and the USA. On the morning of 5 February 1941 she set sail from Liverpool boun...
The hull was breached, and S.O.S. messages were sent from the ship. Once the crew were safely on shore, the Hebridean locals set about trying to “recover”the whisky. About 24,000 bottles were salvaged. In the ensuing days, police and customs officers from the mainland searched the entire island with the result that several islanders were jailed for...
Although born in Hartlepool, England in 1883, Compton MacKenziefound much inspiration in his adopted Scotland. His love of Scotland extended beyond his writing. Best known as an author, he also worked as a soldier, secret service chief, actor, broadcaster and editor. He also made his mark on Scottish politics. He became deeply involved with nationa...
MacKenzie was particularly well placed to expand upon the events of the SS Politician, as from 1934 he had lived at Suidheachan, Northbayon the island of Barra. He used this as the background to the picture of island life presented not only in Whisky Galore, but also in his second such comic novel, Rockets Galore. The heart-warming film version of ...
Like other Ealing Studio comedies of the post war era, Whisky Galore!lures the audience into rooting for the underdogs. Throughout the film there’s a great sense of community, as the islanders rally together to outwit the authorities. The film manages to incorporate local traditions, folk music and Gaelic language into the final cut. In doing so it...
When released, the film was embraced by cinema goers and critics alike. In France it is known as Whisky à Gogo, however when released in the USA in December 1949 it had to drop the whisky reference. There were restrictions on the use of the names of alcohol in titles so the film was rebranded Tight Little Island. In 1988, the first pub on the islan...
There’s more iconic Getty Images stills from Whisky Galore! in the Scran archives, plus much more material relating to the SS Politician, Compton MacKenzie and the stars of the film. Other trips into the Scran archives on the blog inlclude a celebration of 100 years of Leith and a look at the Queen’s Silver Jubileevisit to Edinburgh.
Nov 21, 2023 · Whisky Galore! is a delightful and intelligent film that combines comedy and adventure with a thoughtful exploration of a wide range of social and political themes. Directed by Alexander Mackendrick and based on Compton Mackenzie's novel, this 1949 gem remains a timeless example of British cinema, offering a mirror to society's idiosyncrasies ...
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Whisky Galore! is a 1949 British comedy film produced by Ealing Studios, starring Basil Radford, Bruce Seton, Joan Greenwood and Gordon Jackson. It was the directorial debut of Alexander Mackendrick; the screenplay was by Compton Mackenzie, an adaptation of his 1947 novel Whisky Galore, and Angus MacPhail. The story—based on a true event, the running aground of the SS Politician—concerns a ...
