Restless Natives (1985)

[newgen2005]

Released 1st March 2021.

A brand new restoration of 80’s classic RESTLESS NATIVES, directed by Michael Hoffman.
Ronnie and Will are two free-wheeling lads living on a housing estate in Edinburgh.
Broke and bored, the two decide to politely rob coachloads of
tourists travelling through the Highlands for a bit of cash. Donning
a wolf and a clown mask and armed with a puffer gun shooting
out curry powder, the duo soon become a hit with the tourists and
the public alike. As the two follow in the great tradition of Robin
Hood and Rob Roy, their exploits make them a tourist attraction
bigger than the Loch Ness Monster. Featuring an infectious
soundtrack by Big Country and stunning Highlands scenery, this
much-loved film is a thoroughly enjoyable gem.

Extras:

Audio Commentary With Director Michael Hoffman, Writer Ninian Dunnett and Producer Andy Patterson
A Restless Retrospective: Creating A Caledonian Classic
Soundtrack For A Not-so-big-country: The Music of Restless Natives
Behind The Scenes Stills Gallery
Trailer

[BudBaxter]

Horrible cover art aside, can't frickin' wait! Love this film. The dictionary definition of 'A Little Gem'.

Details from Amazon:
Brand new restoration
Audio Commentary With Director Michael Hoffman, Writer Ninian Dunnett and Producer Andy Patterson
A Restless Retrospective: Creating A Caledonian Classic
Soundtrack For A Not-so-big-country: The Music of Restless Natives
Behind The Scenes Stills Gallery
Trailer

[finishominis]

Fantastic!

[BudBaxter]

Looking on IMDB, it seems the 2 documentaries are 41 mins & 16 mins respectively, & produced by frequenter of these very forums Calum Waddell.

Restoration clip:

RESTLESS NATIVES - 2021 RESTORATION - Clip - YouTube

[newgen2005]

Should get my copy tomorrow, I’ll upload some screen shots.

[newgen2005]

Here are some screen shots, transfer looks great.

[Show spoiler]

[Aclea]

You know who even manages to turn this into a conspiracy theory in his review.

[Darby1985]

Originally Posted by Aclea

You know who even manages to turn this into a conspiracy theory in his review.

He clearly missed that the director didn't write the film, a Scotsman did. The "doctor" clearly doesn't think a movie written by a Scot, filmed in Scotland with a Scottish cast can possibly have a Scottish identity without Bill Forsyth being involved. Pathetic.

Films made within a few years of each other about similiar working class areas in the West of Scotland have some vague similiarities. Shocking, Svet, Shocking.

[Aclea]

Also, Michael Hoffman was studying at Oxford where he set up the Oxford University Film Foundation in 1981 and made a well-received film there, Priviliged (the debut of one Hugh Grant among others), and was a protege of John Schlesinger, so it's not as if he left the States (some four or five years earlier) with the express intention of impersonating Mr Forsyth. Similarly, after the box-office success of Gregory's Grrl and Local Hero, it's not exactly surprising that Celtic comedies were a briefly thing in the UK.

Interestingly, unlike other Scottish comedies from the same time like Living Apart Together or The Girl in the Picture, this seemed to go out of its way not to cast any of the familiar faces from Forsyth's films as if to differentiate itself (I'd bet EMI suggested John Gordon Sinclair for one of the leads).

[Agent Kay]

Need to buy this

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by Aclea

You know who even manages to turn this into a conspiracy theory in his review.

I just read the 'review' in question. I have never heard of this film so was quite interested to read about it.

I'm still none the wiser... Peak you know who.

[Le Grande Blu]

"Lynn, message from Alan. Something to pitch to Tony Hayers at BBC lunch, Friday. Idea for film extravaganza. Plot, thus: Sherlock Atanasov is a Blu Ray reviewer, bit of a maverick, who uncovers conspiracy theories under the guise of critical opinion. Will cover diverse range of topics, such as Alien Landings, Political Correctness and, er, Film directors pretending to be Scottish. Also plays bassoon."

[Aclea]

I'd smell that cheese!

[Darby1985]

Originally Posted by Le Grande Blu

"Lynn, message from Alan. Something to pitch to Tony Hayers at BBC lunch, Friday. Idea for film extravaganza. Plot, thus: Sherlock Atanasov is a Blu Ray reviewer, bit of a maverick, who uncovers conspiracy theories under the guise of critical opinion. Will cover diverse range of topics, such as Alien Landings, Political Correctness and, er, Film directors pretending to be Scottish. Also plays bassoon."

Wait till he sees Hear My Song, another "Ned Beatty in Celtic comedy" movie - wonder what fantasies he'll conjur out of that!

[Ben_C]

Originally Posted by Le Grande Blu

"Lynn, message from Alan. Something to pitch to Tony Hayers at BBC lunch, Friday. Idea for film extravaganza. Plot, thus: Sherlock Atanasov is a Blu Ray reviewer, bit of a maverick, who uncovers conspiracy theories under the guise of critical opinion. Will cover diverse range of topics, such as Alien Landings, Political Correctness and, er, Film directors pretending to be Scottish. Also plays bassoon."

I’d rather watch Monkey Tennis tbh.

[Si Parallel Universe]

It's a great little film with a soundtrack supplied by the late great Stuart Adamson.

Pick it up you won't regret it

[BudBaxter]

R.I.P. Vincent Friell.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv2re7kvedko

[BudBaxter]

Restless Natives: The Musical anyone?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7vzqvg451o

[Le Grande Blu]

Originally Posted by BudBaxter

Restless Natives: The Musical anyone?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7vzqvg451o

"I think people will enjoy it - and who doesn't love a musical?"
-Says Finlay McKillop, 26.

[Babu93]

Originally Posted by BudBaxter

Restless Natives: The Musical anyone?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7vzqvg451o

Guess it's not too wild an idea when you have the music of Big Country to draw on.

After all, we did get Local Hero: The Musical a few years ago too.