Paul P. Powell — 3 months ago(December 20, 2025 03:54 AM)

"
I Know Where I'm Going
"
…is another production from the English filmmaking team knownas 'The Archers'.
Scorcese labels it another masterpiece from them as he does several of their other works.
Not sure I would gush to the same degree as he does, but it is certainly a nimble, sparkling romance. It never slows down or stalls.
Is it a true rom-com? Not precisely. More like a romantic-adventure, or romance-action. Or action-romance.
What's the correct term for this? Whereas there are scads of great rom-coms –there's not many of this other stripe –which are as standout as this one is.
What keeps it so brisk is that so much of it is shot out-of-doors. It's almost a wilderness movie; or a survival movie.
Setting
Where does the storyline take place? The rugged and mountainous islands of Western Scotland.
The storm-tossed Hebrides island chain! This is a rural hinterland, rich with seafaring traditions.
I don't know that I've ever had a favorite movie about Scots culture –if I ever did have one, this title replaces it.
It's upbeat and informative. Chock-full of lore, dancing, singing, architecture, wardrobe, customs, and language.
I consider this the finest depiction I've ever seen of Scotland and the wonderful Scots people.
This picture brims over with Scottish good will.
Principal Cast
Gentlemanly, hearty English actor Roger Livesy is the gallant male lead in this yarn.
Nonetheless –and very refreshing too –the story is told from the female's POV.
That female is Wendy Hiller, a stalwart English actress who turns in a solid performance as a headstrong Londoner.
Hiller –you may have seen her in '
Pygmalion
'– where she played Eliza Doolittle.
Not exactly a 'glamor-puss'. By no means a sultry, dusky, or exotic beauty.
More like, "simple, natural healthy good looks". But in 1945, she was still young and rosy-cheeked.
Whatever her physical charms, they fall to one side in deference to her over-the-top character in this story.
Hiller plays a truly stupendous ass –a spoiled brat –who almost gets three innocent villager drowned.
She's a 'modern girl' – AKA: willful, stubborn, ignorance. In desperate need of a spanking.
This makes the heart of the exciting story.
It's essentially the clash between a smart city girl (too smart for her own good) and a stout country bloke.
Supporting cast
All the other players are unknown to me, except for spunky Petula Clark.
There is one stunning beauty I'd like to see more of: Pamela Brown.
What wild eyes. What a wild face. What wild hair. I'm wholly unfamiliar with her before now.
Intangibles
There is an extraordinary surrealist sequence as if from Salvador Dali. The Archers excel with these touches. One of these is also in '
The Small Back Room'
–their WWII thriller.
But nevermind even this.
the pic is truly famous for its depictions of North Atlantic wind and spray, and I agree it's well-deserved.
I had thought Ryan's Daughter was the best North Sea photography I'd ever seen but this is better.
The storms here are staggering.
Real seas shot-on-location, no special FX (except for minor matte photography for the sake of actors' safety).
But its as menacing as I've ever viewed. Simply thundering storm sequences. Edge-of-seat-stuff.
Title song
Did not expect to find the classic folk ditty included here but it tis and glad I was –it's one I've admired for a long time.
I had always assumed it was Irish –the version know is by Barbara Dane. Don't know who sings the refrain while the credits rolled in this production. Some generic vocalist.
It's still a fine melody, whoever sings it.
Overall: exhilarating romantic - comedy/action - adventure
Paul P. Powell, Pool Player