Whisky Galore! is the quintessential Ealing comedy, gently poking fun at human foibles.
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During the Second World War, the Scottish residents of the island of Todday are demoralized by the rationing of whisky, the "water of life". Then a miracle happens. A freighter runs aground in the fog. When locals "Biffer" (Morland Graham) and Sammy MacCodrun (John Gregson) row out to lend assistance, they discover to their utter wonderment and joy that the cargo is thousands and thousands of cases of none other than whisky. The news spreads like wildfire.
Soon, nearly every islander rushes over to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime windfall, "salvaging" as much of the cargo as they can before the ship finally sinks. Then they have to hide their booty from hidebound British Army Captain Paul Waggett (Radford) and the much-despised excise men he has summoned from the mainland. They are assisted by Sergeant Odd (Seton), who needs the good will of the locals in order to romance Peggy (Greenwood). A game of cat and mouse ensues, which the residents mostly win, having the advantage of home ground. When some bottles are found hidden in ammunition cases for which Waggett is responsible, his superiors send for him. Eventually, however, all the ill-gotten whisky is drunk, and the islanders sink once more into despondency.
Best part of story, including ending:
The sheer anarchistic joy of the islanders at their windfall is refreshing to behold.
Best scene in story:
The going back and forth in tiny boats piled high with crates of whisky is amusing.
Opinion about the main character:
Waggett's insistence on enforcing the regulations, no matter what, make him a pompous buffoon.