Whisky Galore is a novel written by Compton Mackenzie in 1947 which was subsequently adapted for the cinema by Ealing Studios who gave us such classics as The Cruel Sea, Kind Hearts and Coronets and The Ladykillers.

 

The plot was based on a real story when during World War II, a cargo vessel (S.S.Politician) on route to the United States gets shipwrecked of the Isle of Eriskay with a cargo of whiskey on board, which was a valuable commodity during wartime. (The ship was renamed S.S Cabinet Minister for the film as was the Isle of Eriskay which in the film is referred to as Todday.)

 

Due to wartime rationing, the thirsty islanders had nearly run out of the Uisge Beatha translated as "water of life" and see this as an unexpected godsend and so the islanders ensue to salvage as much of the whiskey as they can before the ship breaks up and the authorities (Customs and Excise) turn up to confiscate the rest.  But it is not all clear sailing. They must thwart the efforts of the authorities, particularly in the shape of misguided, pompous English Home Guard Captain Paul Waggett. A cat-and-mouse battle of wits ensues.