Customer Reviews
A witty and influential film - By: S J Buck, 14 Nov 2007 
I've only seen this film once, & I have no doubt that when I watch it again it will only improve. Previous reviewers who have given the film 5 stars may well be right.
It concerns the shortage of Whisky on a Scottish Island. Fortunately a boat containing 50,000 bottles runs aground & a plot is hatched to steal the liqeur from the boat. Opposed to this plan is a local Home Guard Captain, Waggett (wonderfully played by Basil Radford). He is somewhat officious & does everthingin his power to thwart there attempts to get the liquer. In fact I wondered if this was an influence on Captain Mainwaringin Dads Army. The other noteable performance is from Jean Cadell as the terrifying Mrs Campbell, who opposes her sons (Gordon Jackson) plan to marry & is reminisent of the motherin Carrie.
This is well worth buying & watching over & over as I have no doubt it will hold up to repeated viewing. Its very funnyin places & like most of the best Ealing comedies, at 80 minutes it doesn't overstay its welcome.
Super - By: "Smith" Reader, 19 Oct 2007 
Whisky Galore is a really great film from 1949. Funny & moving. This is a good transfer to DVD & so a really good buy!
Amateur Dram Antics! - By: David Lusher, 21 Sep 2007 Actually, it's all very professional. A gentle comedy about some Scottish islanders who, after weeks without whisky, suddenly find that a ship laden with the stuff, has founderedin their waters. Needless to say, there is high jinksin rescuing (and secreting) the precious cargo on the island of Todday before the Customs, or the officious Captain of the Home Guard, can do anything about it. The casting is first-class, with loads of eccentric locals proving to be more than a match for the outsiders. There are nice sub-plots to savour too. Highly recommended!
A classic. - By: L. Hay, 10 May 2007 Sir Compton McKenzie got the inspiration for his book from a real life event.
This is a film I have seen many times & I have read the book. It was lovely to get the DVD & see the extras. It had to be retitled for the American anti-alcohol lobby & the ending had to be altered to show that the Islanders gained no benefit from stealing all that Whisky.
I seem to recall that the times I have watched it before, the ending was different, or perhaps I am confusing it with the book.
The upshot is that the Islanders did not sufferin the slightest from secreting "the water of life" & everyone lived happily ever after.
As a matter of interest, Whisky was rationed & scarcein the UK during the war, yet boatloads were exported to the USA.
WATCH THE FILM - AND - READ THE BOOK!!!!
You will not regret it.
