'I Know Where I'm Going!' (1945)

A young Englishwoman goes to the Hebrides to marry her older, wealthier fiancé. When the weather keeps them separated on different islands, she begins to have second thoughts.

Directors:

Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Writers:

Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Stars:

Wendy Hiller, Roger Livesey, George Carney

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Carney	...	Mr. Webster
Wendy Hiller	...	Joan Webster
Walter Hudd	...	Hunter
Duncan MacKechnie	...	Capt. 'Lochinvar' (as Captain Duncan MacKechnie)
Ian Sadler	...	Iain
Roger Livesey	...	Torquil MacNeil
Finlay Currie	...	Ruairidh Mhór
Murdo Morrison	...	Kenny
Margot Fitzsimons	...	Bridie
C.W.R. Knight	...	Col. Barnstaple (as Captain C.W.R. Knight F.Z.S.)
Pamela Brown	...	Catriona
Donald Strachan	...	Shepherd
John Rae	...	Old Shepherd
Duncan McIntyre	...	His Son
Jean Cadell	...	Postmistress

Storyline

Joan Webster is an ambitious and stubborn middle-class English woman determined to move forward since her childhood. She meets her father in a fancy restaurant to tell him that she will marry the wealthy middle-aged industrial Robert Bellinger in Kiloran island, in the Hebrides Islands, Scotland. She travels from Manchester to the island of Mull, where she stays trapped due to the windy weather. Whilst on the island, she meets Torquil McNeil and as the days go by they fall in love with each other.

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Plot Keywords:

hebrides | naval officer | sea storm | ceilidh | island | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Scottish Gaelic

Release Date:

9 August 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ich weiß wohin ich gehe

Filming Locations:

Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Budget:

£200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Archers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

James Mason was originally cast as Torquil, but declined when told he would have to "live rough" in the islands. Ironically, Roger Livesey never went to the islands because he was in a West End show at the time. A double was used for long shots and all close-ups are shot in the studio. Mason has always contended that it was Michael Powell's reluctance to pay the expenses of Mason's wife on the location shoot.

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Goofs

In the opening credits, as the factory gate swings shut the top bar on it is partially obscured by the hanging miniature that adds another floor to the factory - which is really the front offices of Denham Studios.

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Quotes

Torquil MacNeil: Still got those half starved hounds? How on earth do you manage to feed 'em?
Catriona Potts: Oh we live off the country. Rabbits, deer, a stray hiker or two.

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Crazy Credits

Opening cast credits appear on the end of a baby's cot; all other credits are chalked on a children's blackboard, appear on the side and rear of a horse drawn milk van and on a board attached to a metal factory gate.

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Alternate Versions

When Bridie and Joan are arguing in Joan's bedroom when Joan is about to try to get to the island, Bridie has a little speech where she says "Some folks there are, who want to drown fine young men and break young girls' hearts so that they can be bedded one day sooner." Risqué stuff for 1945. It was dubbed in the initial American release for her to say "wedded" instead of "bedded".

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Connections

Featured in The Making of an Englishman (1995)

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Soundtracks

I Know Where I'm Going
(uncredited)
Traditional County Antrim song
Sung by Boyd Steven with The Glasgow Orpheus Choir

User Reviews

Excellent, sweet, romantic comedy

Perhaps the most charming movie I have ever seen. So beautifully filmed and mirthfully realized. Wendy Hiller & Roger Livesey are both brilliant and irrepressible. The Scot spirit is most beautifully realized. From start to finish, one of the most enjoyable viewings I've ever had.