Scottish Independence Guide: Scottish Films

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While there are obviously a large number of films set in Scotland or with Scottish actors, actresses, directors involved, the fact is there could be a lot more, particularly if the Scottish film industry received some decent level of funding. Actors can often be overlooked if they don't make the jump to Hollywood or at least to London because of the lack of an indigenous film industry here.

While Sean Connery has attempted to set up a Scottish film studio, the Scottish Executive has as usual showed a lack of ambition in this area as in everything else. Hopefully after independence we can make some genuine investment in this industry and more of our young actors and actresses and writers and directors will find work in this highly important field.

(Note: you can click on the pics to buy any of these films on DVD from Amazon. All are Region 2 (European) versions unless otherwise stated. If required, you'll be able to find most of them on other regions from the same site.)

The Wicker Man

Strange, scary, sexy tale of a policeman's search for a missing girl on a small Scottish island.

Breaking the Waves

Controversial love story starring Emily Watson from the brilliant Danish director Lars Von Trier

Shallow Grave

Clever thriller from Danny Boyle (who would later make Trainspotting) featuring a young Ewan McGregor.

Highlander

Enjoyable exciting 80's movie which somehow works despite some bizarre casting. Christopher Lambert isn't bad at all as the highland hero and Sean Connery is wonderful as always, but the sequels are pants.

Dog Soldiers

Six soldiers (including Kevin McKidd) against a lot of werewolves. Scary and funny.

Morvern Callar

The critics raved about this adaptation of Alan Warner's book but personally I wasn't that impressed with either the book or the film.

Comfort and Joy

Radio host becomes involved in ice cream wars in Glasgow. Excellent performance by Bill Paterson in an engaging drama by Bill (Gregory's Girl) Forsyth. Patrick Malahide also does a rather good Scottish accent.

Restless Natives

A hilarious story of two young Scots who become bandits and hold up tourist coaches. A beautiful film with a wonderful soundtrack by Big Country. 

Orphans

A darkly comic story of a Scottish family and how they cope with bereavement. Very powerful (and funny) stuff and directed by Peter Mullan, the star of 'My name is Joe' (see below).

Trainspotting  

based on Irvine Welsh's extraordinary ground breaking novel

The Acid House

also faithfully based on Welsh's work (though you'll need a strong stomach at bits)

The Debt Collector

A fantastic performance by Billy Connolly and others

Small Faces

Interesting tale of gangland violence and growing up.

My Childhood, My Ain Folk, My Way Home (The Trilogy) by Bill Douglas

Difficult to find but quite brilliant. A brutal and heartbreaking (yet also hopeful) look at the writer's poor childhood. 

Young Adam

Based on the book by Alexander Trocchi a famous 'beat' writer. A brilliant performance by 'Star Wars' star McGregor.

Gregory's Girl

Classic stuff by Bill Forsyth. A gangly youth fancies the new girl star of the local football team.

Carla's Song

The first of a number of fantastic films about Scotland by Ken Loach. Glasgow bus driver Robert Carlyle gets more than he bargained for when he picks up a refugee from

Ae Fond Kiss

A love story of ethnic and religious tensions set in Glasgow directed by Ken Loach. Brilliant!

My Name is Joe

Incredibly powerful tale of an ex-alcoholic and his attempts to re-build his life and help those around him. A fantastic film by Ken Loach starring Peter Mullan. 

Sweet Sixteen

Subtitled on it's UK network TV showing, this is another great film by Ken Loach. A youth from Greenock attempts to make ends meet and help his mother without being sucked into violence and drug dealing.

Braveheart

It took Mel to do it, but at last Scotland's greatest hero was honoured. Criticised by many for it's changes in Scottish history (the battle of Stirling Bridge is minus a bridge!) however the emotion of the story is captured perfectly and the film has an extraordinary vibrant energy. Certainly it put Wallace's story on the map.

Ratcatcher

The story of a young boy who dreams of a better life. Set in Govan during the binmen's strike of the late 1970's. Hauntingly beautiful film by Lynne Ramsay.

Regeneration

A chronicle of shell-shocked soldiers piecing their lives together at a retreat in Craiglockhart in Edinburgh.

Rob Roy

Irishman Liam Neeson would later be better cast as Michael Collins but this is a diverting romp which appeared around the same time as Braveheart. He's much better in 'the Big Man'.  

Dear Frankie

Touching tale about a kid looking for his dad set in Scotland.

Region 1 DVD's

The Big Tease (R1)

Later to find fame and fortune as a network TV chat show host this was Craig Ferguson's (aka stand up comic Bing Hitler) break through role in the states as a gay hairdresser. 

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (R1)

Excellent performance from Maggie Smith as an eccentric Edinburgh school teacher.

Tunes of Glory (R1)

English actors Alec Guinness and John Mills in a well regarded film about a Scottish regiment.

I know where I'm going

A Scottish film by the great Powell and Pressburger starring the brilliant Roger Livesey.