Alexander Mackendrick, one of Britain's outstanding directors, was virtually a novice when he made this delightful Ealing comedy in 1949.
But aided by Compton Mackenzie's adaptation of his own novel, Mackendrick shot it on the Isle of Eriksay in the Outer Hebrides with the comedic skill of a veteran, alerting Hollywood to his talents - he went on to make the brilliant Sweet Smell of Success.
Incessant rain held things up but, with a cast of experienced Ealing regulars, this story of the discovery of 50,000 bottles of whisky that washed up on shore and the islanders' attempts to steer Customs and Excise away from them was an instant success.
Basil Radford, Joan Greenwood, Catherine Lacey and Gordon Jackson are among the players who got fed up with drinking cold tea and pretending it was the hard stuff.
Whisky Galore!
Cert: U
