posted on 21 Oct 2024

Whisky Galore by Compton Mackenzie

1949 was a tremendous year for fans of Ealing Studio movies because it saw the release of three films that have become recognised as the peak of their creative output – Passport to Pimlico, Kind Hearts and Coronets and the adaptation of Compton Mackenzie’s 1947 comedy Whisky Galore. I’ve watched them countless times over the years but I’ve only now finally gotten around to reading Mackenzie’s original novel.

Mackenzie (1883 – 1972) was a hugely prolific Scottish writer of fiction, history, criticism, biographies, history, children’s stories and an absolutely huge ten volume autobiography. He was an early supporter of the Scottish Nationalist Party but I would suggest that if he’s remembered much at all today it is for his comic novels and for Whisky Galore in particular (and perhaps, by association Rockets Galore, a sequel of sorts that came along a decade later).

Set on the fictional Scottish islands of Great Todday and Little Todday, the inhabitants of which, although seemingly remote, find themselves caught up in the problems of the Second World War. The chief of these vicissitudes is an almost complete drying-up of their supply of whisky. This ‘water of life’ isn’t just enjoyed by the islanders, it is central to their existence and seems to lubricate pretty much all social interactions and without it the fractures become increasingly fraught. Getting hold of whisky literally becomes a matter of life or death.

When the cargo ship, S.S. Cabinet Minister runs aground laden with crates of whisky bound for the USA, the population of the two islands, who are usually in competition, collaborate to ‘liberate’ as many of the crates as they can before the ship sinks. But there’s just one problem – the authorities who want the whisky back. The absurdly pompous Home Guard Captain, Paul Waggett who is charged with the recovery of the liquor, finds himself embroiled in a farcical cat-and-mouse battle with the ever-ingenious islanders.

Mackenzie’s story is loosely based on a real-life event when the S.S. Politician ran aground in the Hebrides loaded with whisky and bank notes heading for the US and Jamaica. However, Whisky Galore isn’t just a comical reconstruction of that event - the whisky chase doesn’t move centre stage until virtually half way through the book – and the real focal points of the story are the relationships and individual characteristics of the community on the two islands. Two frustrated and frustrating romantic relationships dominate much of the story – one involving an English incomer to the community and one involving a meek teacher, brow-beaten by a domineering mother. 

Mackenzie’s authorial voice is gently satirical but always affectionate and you will often find the book described by commentators as ‘a gentle comedy’. To be honest, some (me included) may find it overly ‘gentle’ and the inclusion of phonetic Scottish dialect and occasional Gaelic I personally found to be an irritating affectation.

It’s not often that you’ll read me claim that the film is better than the book but, on this occasion, I have to admit that I prefer Ealing’s interpretation. But, of course, that’s a very personal response and you should find out whether this opinion is one you share or not. Paperback copies are found easily enough and can be bought for well under £10.

 

Terry Potter

October 2024