Restless Natives (Blu-ray)

Directed by Michael Hoffman (The Last Station, One Fine Day) from a script by Ninian Dunnett, Restless Natives is a much-loved comedy, proudly part of the Scottish New Wave of comedies that emerged in the 1980s.

Ronnie (Joe Mullaney) and Will (Vincent Friell) are two under-employed Scots living on a housing estate in Edinburgh. Bored and tempted by the untapped wealth of the international tourists that swarm through the city, they hatch a wildly irresponsible plan to achieve wealth and notoriety. Donning a wolf and a clown mask and armed with a puffer gun loaded with homemade mace, they politely hold up coachloads of tourists travelling through the Highlands for a bit of cash. The duo soon become a hit with the tourists and the public alike, following in the great tradition of fellow folk heroes Robin Hood and Rob Roy. Their exploits make them a bigger tourist attraction than the Loch Ness Monster, much to the annoyance of the inept local police. Ned Beatty (Network) also stars as a vacationing CIA Agent Fritz Bender who joins the pursuit of the outlaws, with Bernard Hill (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) as Will’s dad and Mel Smith (The Princess Bride) as a schmoozing gangster who wants to cash in on their fame.

Following the home-grown international hits, Gregory’s Girl (1981) and Local Hero (1983), Restless Natives bangs the drum for Scottish cultural pride with its humour, a soaring soundtrack by Big Country and stunning Highlands scenery. This spirited, establishment- mocking caper movie remains a much-loved and thoroughly enjoyable comedy gem.