Huh? Did I see the wrong movie?

As you say, each to their own. I think it's magical.

I'm a big Powell/Pressburger fan, but this one let me down. I kept waiting for the magic and it just wasn't there. I found it especially unconvincing when Joan and Torquil fall for each other. They see each other for a couple of days and suddenly Joan gives up her ambitions? The rest of the movie was just as perfunctory.

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I think you didn't see the wrong movie, but that you are the wrong viewer for it.

It is unusual, so while I always want people to share my enthusiasm for this, one of my favourite films, I suppose I shouldn't be disappointed if they don't.

I disagree about the acting. The romantic leads are not a cookie-cutter or glamorous Hollywood couple, but, perhaps because of that, I think they have romantic allure. All the characterisation, in the script and the performance, is powerful, each person unique.

The filmmaking, in the sound, imagery, and editing is beautiful, with a light touch and charged with energy. The ceilidh scene, drawing together young, old, and the beginnings of mature love, is an enchanting celebration, packed with details that reward many viewings. And I don't think you can rightly say the plot is predictable when, as you also say, they "throw in a scene with a a golden eagle." Particularly when the eagle is indoors.

I think this is a thrilling, deeply touching film and hope you might try watching and assessing it again.

Nothing to be embarassed about - I didn't get it either. I normally love Powell/Pressburger films and had looked forward to seeing this, but it left me totally flat. Wendy Hiller's character was annoying & I just wanted to smack her halfway through the film. As others have noted, there was zero chemistry between her and Roger Livesey (who I still adore). I just didn't believe they were attracted to each other at all. I had heard such great things about this, it was truly a disappointment. Maybe I'll give it another try later, but it will be MUCH MUCH later!!

One more thing - in all the descriptions of the film, it always seems to read somthing like: "headstrong YOUNG woman determined to marry middle aged tycoon is stranded on remote Scottish island and finds herself falling for a YOUNG naval officer." Now, Wendy Hiller at 33 might qualify as "young" but Roger Livesey was pushing 40 and they both definitely seemed a little long in the tooth for their roles. Perhaps that threw me off the film a little, too. Oh, well, to each his own!!

In the context of contemporary society your protests make sense.

IKWIG is a 60 year old film. Some people can turn off filters of modern life, some can't.

Regardless, I orginally saw this fil when I was in my late pre-teens. While I didn't understand it, there was a deep impression left. After viewing it again many years later, I know why it captivated me so.

The story does seem trite, but there is definitely a magical quality.

I doubt of P&P decided to throw something in. They're meticulous, courageous and visionary filmmakers.

Everyone sees a movie differently-- esp. a good movie, and this is very definitely a good movie. If you watch it again, and you should, pay attention very carefully to what we are being told about the characters. Things are not laid out for us like a blueprint or business report, but rather like a puzzle or an elaborate painting.

Joan may be a gold-digger, but she has heart. Sure, she wants the finer things in life, but we also see at the beginning that she wants her father's blessing in this pursuit. He says, very appropriately as she behaves queenly in the restaurant, that she should stop acting, and for a moment she does and she show us, as Torquil later sees, how loving and needy and human she is.

The metaphors were heavy handed, yes, but I'll bet there are more than a few who don't even pick up on one of them. I don't think they detract from the movie, though, I think they add a certain charm and fun to a piece that is already full of both-- the plaid hills in Joan's dream, the fact that Mr. Campbell is so emotional at his anniversary party that he can't speak and that Torquil announces his love for Joan with lyrics from a Scottish ballad and then a pause in the dialogue that says more than any 100 lines of poetry could.

To anyone who would question the value of this movie, I say watch it again with an open heart and a keen eye, you will not be disappointed.

This is one of my favorites but I had to watch it twice before I realized why. You may want to watch I Know Where I'm Going Revisited (1994) - it is a documentary about the original movie explaining many of the little details we kind of overlook as being fill-ins (even the telephone scenes). Would love to hear what you think if you do watch it.

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