Films to Love: Walking Through Scotland
Have you ever had a yen for a place you’ve never been? Scotland is such a place for me. There are seasons in my life where I have wanted to immerse myself in the lore, legends, and life of Scotland.
As travel is not always an option- particularly right now in the world- there are one of two ways to do that. The first is through books. I’ve done a post on some of my favorite books that evoke Scotland for me here.
The other way is through movies. Where movies succeed is in the engagement of several of our senses- sight and sound. Today I’m sharing several films that conjure Scotland for me, and, I hope, for you too.
I’m a great fan of Alastair Sim. He’s one of my favorite Scottish actors. That’s how I discovered Geordie.
The story is a simple one, but no less charming. It’s starts with a wee lad names Geordie who is not happy about his diminutive state. He sends away for a bodybuilding course and implements it in his daily life. Fast forward from boyhood to adulthood and he’s a champion hammer thrower. He’s so good, in fact, that he gets recruited to represent Great Britain in the Melbourne Olympics. Throw in a sweet love story and the delightful Alastair Sim, and you have a real Scottish treat here.
This Lerner and Loewe musical has a score that rivals the best musicals out there. And, to boot, for this ballerina, the choreography in conjunction with the magnificent sets that ooze Scottish beauty, I was in love with Brigadoon from a young age. It was one of the movies that I wanted to be magically transported into.
Brigadoon begins with two American men who’ve lost their bearings in the Scottish Highlands. The mist is heavy, the terrain unfamiliar. As it’s the wee hours of the morning, they are tired from their wanderings, and hungry to boot. They’ve consulted the map and have concluded that they are really in the middle of nowhere. So, imagine their surprise when they see a small village appear out of the mist.
Upon entering the town, they are greeted with a weary, somewhat flabbergasted silence. Almost a shunning. However, there are townsfolk that are friendly and they slowly begin to uncover a true mystery. The mystery of Brigadoon.
You see, this town only appear once every hundred years. There’s a reason for that, which I’ll not be telling you as you’ll consider that me spoiling it for you.
However, with the magnificent music, the rousing and tender dances, and the charisma of Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse, Brigadoon is a wonderful romp in the Scottish Highlands.
This 1949 movie is based off of a book which was based off of true events. It was new to me, but a true enjoyment.
Taking place on the island of Todday up in the remote Hebrides, Whisky Galore captures a true glimpse of the Scottish spirit. The humor of this film is what makes it so entirely charming.
It takes place during World War II. Though a war rages on the continent and effects the day to day life of many on the mainland of Britain, for the townsfolk of Todday, life has changed very little. Certainly they take their civic and national pride seriously. They ration and do without where they must. And the men are a part of the local watch.
The realities of the war come to them primarily through the papers. But one day, the greatest deprivation occurs. One day, the scotch runs out. There’s not a drop nor dram on the whole island. And there’s no hope of getting anymore in the future. For any red blooded Scot, this deprivation is worse then any Hitler and the Axis minions could conjure.
The whole mood of the island begins to suffer because the water of life is gone. Until one foggy night, the S.S. Politician runs aground off the coast of the island. And what would be the chief cargo of the S.S. Politician? You guessed it, 50,000 cases of Scotch. After ensuring the safe evacuation of the crew and their subsequent transport back to the mainland, the townsfolk roundtable just how they can get those cases off that ship before it goes down. What ensues is a charming hilarity that is singularly Scottish.
Now, this story is so delightful that in 2016 they made a remake it. I have not watched it as yet. However, a good story can only be a good story. And regardless of the teller, I don’t think Whisky Galore can be anything but wonderful.
And, speaking of movies based in fact, here’s another. Now, I know of late the term nationalist has taken on quite a negative connotation. However, as this film shows, there is nothing wrong with having pride in one’s nation and heritage, which is really what a nationalist is.
Stone of Destiny follows the unfolding events that led to the successful reinstatement of the Stone of Scone in Scotland. Now, as the film Braveheart points out, history is written by men who have hanged heroes. While Ian Hamilton- the films protagonist- is not hanged nor commits no crime worthy of such severe penalty, the phrase does ring true here. For his act is only a crime when viewed through the eyes of England. When seen through the eyes of a Scot, it’s a patriot duty that he performs.
Set in the 1950s, it follows the university student Ian Hamilton’s growing desire to see the Stone of Scone, the stone used for centuries in the coronation of the kings of Scotland until it was removed as a spoil of war to Westminster Abbey by Edward I in 1296, returned to Scotland. With a small group of friends, Ian embarks on a rather noble and unthinkable adventure to steal the stone from Westminster Abbey and return it to the ruins of Scone Abbey in Scone, near Perth, Scotland.
This is a quiet, unassuming story about a man’s passion for his nation and it’s history. And, in the end, it’s one that I found quite tender and endearing. I highly recommend it.
For a time in my life, Dear Frankie was my go to comfort film. I really love this movie.
Frankie is a young Scottish lad who lives with his mother and his grandmother. At the start of the film, this little family is seen movie their few possessions to a new home. The moment they arrive, Frankie sits down and writes a letter and hands it to his mother. It is here when we realize that Frankie is deaf.
The letter he’s written is to his father, who is a sailor. However, in short order, we realize that Frankie’s mother is the one who is reading and replying to his letters. While we don’t know the reason why, the epistolary exchange gives us great insight into the wonderful boy Frankie is and the great lengths his mother will go to in order to shield him from the knowledge that it is not his father who is writing to him.
However, things go awry when Frankie reads the shipping news and learns that the ship his father is on will be porting nearby. He’s so excited that his father will be coming home to see him. This throws his mother into a tizzy. What is she to do?
This is when secrets start to come out and we learn the history of this little family. While I’ll not tell you anything in regards to that, I will tell you that his mother does finally confide in a compassionate neighbor who helps her hatch a plan. Hire a man for a day to pose as Frankie’s father.
Do you think such a notion will work? Well, you’ll have to watch the movie to find out. Dear Frankie is great for the whole family. The gentle soundtrack invites relaxation and peace. And the cast of characters is well met.
And because these movies are woven into the cinematic history surrounding Scotland, they deserve an honorable mention.
Braveheart
I know. I know. This is a total given. You cannot talk Scotland and not talk William Wallace. And while there are historical issues with the movie that have put it on the bad side for many Scots, Braveheart did make a splash for Scotland in the rest of the world. And, divorcing it from all the negative press, it is a fantastic story about things that truly matter in life. I watch this whenever I need to be reminded of the fundamentals of life- namely freedom and why it is worth fighting and dying for.
Rob Roy
I am less familiar with this film, however, I know that it is a hallmark in the Scottish cinema. The Scottish do love their heroes and Rob Roy is one the legendary ones.
Outlaw King
I have not watched this movie yet. It’s on my TBW pile. However, The Outlaw King, starring Chris Pine, is the recounting of the rebellion let by Scotland’s Robert the Bruce. I’m not at all certain of its historical veracity, but if you’re looking to continue after where Braveheart left off, this might bet he movie for you.
Robert the Bruce
Here’s another movie revolving around this Scottish leader. I have not watched this one either, so I can’t vouch for it. But it does star Angus Macfayden, and he’s fantastic. So, there’s that.
Mrs. Brown
I do so enjoy Billy Connelly, and his performance in Mrs. Brown is one of the best. There’s also Judi Dench who is fantastic in whatever she does. If you enjoy the Victorian period of history in Great Britain, this film will be perfect for you.
Now, I think I’ve done a pretty good job in my list, but, dear reader, if there’s one you feel I’ve neglected to mention, please tell us all about it in the comments below. Happy watching.
