I enjoyed watching 'The Rocket Post'. Not because it was especially well made, well acted, original or gripping - it really wasn't. But because it had an unusual story set in a wonderful location, plus a certain charm that I found really engaging.
Sometimes a film can be low budget, predictable, a bit flakey in places, but still enjoyable. This is one of those.
The film supposedly tells the true story of German rocket scientist Gerhard Zucher, and his sidekick Heinz, who arrive on the remote Scottish Isle of Scarp just before the second world war. There they experiment with a rocket to deliver mail from the isle to the mainland, as well as getting to grips with the ways of the sceptical local islanders (there's at least a whiff of 'Whiskey Galore' about the residents of Scarp).
One of those locals is Catriona Mackay (played by a wide-eyed Shauna Macdonald). She provides a love interest for Gerhard which, although a little hard to believe, is essential to the success of the film. The movie is as much a love story as it is anything else.
How much of this tall tale is true might be debatable. Gerhart certainly existed and certainly did rocket experiments in Scotland and England to deliver letters, but there is probably a healthy dose of cinematic licence in the story telling. In any case, it really doesn't matter.
The cast deliver their roles well enough, but the real star has to be the setting - the wonderful scenery certainly steals the show.
A feel good film for the most part - with moments of gentle humour - it is not quite all lightness and sweet; the influence of Nazi Germany and that regime's interest in rocket technology provides another thread to the story.
All in all a modest and in places almost amateurish film that nevertheless was a lovely watch. Recommended if you're likely to enjoy a warm, easy-paced and slightly unusual tale.
