The Bridal Path

A very funny film depicting the exploits of a Hebridean Scotsman and his search for a wife on the Scottish mainland. Though the dialog and comments by the characters often made me feel that you had to be either a Scottish Highlander or from Cape Breton Island in Canada to get some of the jokes (which are hilarious), I found the depiction of the locals to be both truthful and exaggerated, depending on the character. A previous commenter made reference to the "Irish" sound of the characters' speech. It is my experience that the Hebredians DO speak English in a rather Irish sounding way and not with the "burr" of the mainlanders. This to me makes the film easier to understand. I recommend the film highly.

The story of a simpleton being sent from an island to the mainland to look for a bride who is not a Catholic nor a Campbell and has a good pair of legs for climbing the hills does not sound very promising. But the story works fairly well.

In the chase by the police across a midgeless Highlands, one is minded of the police chasing Hannay in Hitchcock's The 39 Steps. But as this is a comedy, the chase lacks any tension.

However, the performances are pretty good. George Cole came across well as a Scotsman.

Some of the humour is quite amusing; and even if the comedy situation is a bit silly, the dialogue is not.

The scenery is beautifully shot, and coupling it with the choir from Campbelltown is a masterstroke.

The film is enjoyable and well worth watching.

I haven't seen The Bridal Path in years. It used to be shown occasionally in the US but it is becoming rare that anything but American films are aired on TV. I remember the movie very well however and loved the sound track that included a Gaelic Choir in the background as Ewan tramped the West Highlands searching out a wife. The shopping list the elders gave him was hilarious. (good legs for the chickens etc) One of the funniest scenes was after he had befriended a police dog (following his arrest) they later loosed the same dog on him in pursuit. (He having escaped) Ewen was jumping into a row boat and the Alsatian jumped in and sat down beside him wagging his tail! The cinematography was beautiful as well with the glorious highlands in colour. Along with the funny story, the music and the spectacular shots it is burned in my mind as a terrific wee film. I wish it were out on DVD! Tapadh leibh, Brian Mac Sheumais Ceanadach

Few films are consistently nominated as the "funniest film ever made". "The Bridal Path" should rank high on such a list in the English-speaking world for many reasons. Its story is deceptively simple to set forth, however. Ewan MacEwan needs a wife. He lives on the remote Scottish island of Eorsa, his wife has died and his children need someone too. So he sets out for the mainland, to find a mate. What happens to him then should not happen to a nice, sincere and out-of-place wife-hunter--but it does, in spades. Bill Travers is in top form as Ewan, aided by a very large case of players who flit in and out of his misadventures; their numbers include George Cole, Gordon Jackson, Fiona Clyde and lovely Bernadette O'Farrell of the "Robin Hood" TV series' fame. This remarkable and memorable bit of whimsy and Scottish humor was served up by British comedy veteran FranK Launder. He and Geoffrey Williams adapted an hilarious novel to the screen, one which offers brushes with police and irate citizens, the old country-boy-misunderstands-the city caper, the troubles Ewan gets into trying to bring up the subject of a wife--and his exact list of requirements for the position--and much much more. The production is lovely in full-color, breezy, swift-paced or leisurely just where it needs to be one or the other. How Ewan finally finds the wife he has been looking for in his own backyard when he has to return home provides a perfect climax and happy ending to one of the best-loved comedies ever to be sent to the US as a bundle from Britain. An utter delight, and much less known than it deserves to be.

A real gem of a movie.

Funny, filled with many 'weel kent' faces, beautiful scenery and music.

No smut, violence, or anything nasty.

Leaves a good feel factor after watching.

A classic in my opinion.