ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

IT IS MORE than five years since ‘The Rocket Post’ was filmed on location at Taransay. Director Stephen Whittaker died in February 2003, and it seemed as if the film would never secure British distribution despite picking up some favourable reviews at international festivals.

Now, ‘The Rocket Post’ is finally on release, and it proves to be a picturesque, deeply old-fashioned dramatisation of true events from the 1930s.

Ulrich Thomsen stars as Gerhard Zucher, a German engineer who arrived on the Hebridean island of Scarp. Encouraged and financed by the British authorities, his intention was to establish a postal service using his experiments with rockets to link Scarp with the mainland.

Naturally, given the gathering clouds of conflict, there were ulterior motives in supporting his work.

Predictably, the film version of these events strays too readily into Brigadoon/Whisky Galore territory, with the sly, couthy locals showing a good deal of hostility to this sophisticated in-comer and his stern associate, Heinz Dombrowsky (Eddie Marsan).

Relations gradually improve, and Zucher begins to take a shine to both the island and especially beautiful local lass Catherine McKay (Shauna Macdonald).

As the threat of war with Germany grows, Zucher finds his loyalties torn between his new home and the people he has left behind.

‘The Rocket Post’ does look a pretty picture of a film, with crystal clear images of unspoilt beaches, wild rocks and piercing blue seas.

The performances are all very persuasive, with a nice supporting turn from Gary Lewis as a rascally beachcomber. The problem is a story that takes some liberties with the truth and turns real events into a polite, sunny and prosaic drama.

Selected nationwide release
© Allan Hunter, 2006

Director: Stephen Whittaker
Stars: Ulrich Thomsen, Shauna Macdonald, Gary Lewis, Kevin McKidd, Patarick Malahide, Eddie Marsan, Clive Russell
Screenwriters: James MacInnes, William Morrissey
Certificate: 12A
Running time: 112 mins
Country: UK
Year: 2003