I Know Where I'm Going! (1945) Review: Powell and Pressburger's Timeless Classic Delivers Pure Joy

 

I Know Where I'm Going! (1945) Review: Powell and Pressburger's Timeless Classic Delivers Pure Joy

"I Know Where I'm Going!" Review: Powell and Pressburger's Classic Delivers Pure Joy

In the realm of British cinema, few films match the enchanting allure of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's 1945 classic, "I Know Where I'm Going!" This beloved masterpiece is now back in the spotlight, thanks to the BFI's nationally touring Powell/Pressburger season. The film's title alone exudes a sense of purpose and adventure that captivates viewers. As a devoted follower of Powell and Pressburger's works, one can't help but ponder Emeric Pressburger's writing process. He once revealed in Kevin Macdonald's biography, "But if I can help it, I never sit down to write the real script until I know where I'm going and I've worked out the rhythm and so on beforehand." Was this a deliberate choice? The answer remains elusive.

"I Know Where I'm Going!" is a cinematic blend of romance, myth, comedy, and whimsy, anchored firmly in the realm of reality and geography. What makes it truly exceptional, perhaps even unparalleled, is its wartime setting, where the war itself is a distant echo, almost irrelevant. The hero, though often seen in his Royal Navy uniform, is a world away from the front lines.

At the heart of this narrative is a resolute young Englishwoman, Joan Webster, played brilliantly by Wendy Hiller. Joan is both fiercely intelligent and self-assured, even if a tad conceited. She's indulged by her father, a bank manager (George Carney), whom she endearingly calls "darling." The film's credit sequence offers a glimpse of Joan's unwavering confidence at every stage of her life, from a baby to a schoolgirl. Her journey begins in their hometown of Manchester, oddly devoid of northern accents.

Joan shocks her father with a life-altering announcement made during a night out at a nightclub or hotel bar in Manchester. She's engaged to the wealthy industrialist Sir Robert Bellinger and is on her way to the Western Isles of Scotland for their wedding on the enchanting (fictional) island of Kiloran. There's no mention of her father's involvement or presence at the wedding. She's determined to whisk herself away from his life.

However, a twist of fate intervenes. Bad weather on Mull, her destination, halts her meticulously planned journey. For the first time in her life, Joan doesn't get what she wants. She must endure her stay on Mull with patience and good humor, getting to know Torquil MacNeil, a handsome, unassuming naval officer on leave, portrayed flawlessly by Roger Livesey. Torquil also happens to be the Laird of Kiloran, whose property Sir Robert is renting. Joan and Torquil's initial meeting involves mild squabbles about her city ways versus the island's natural splendors. But as time passes, Joan's impatience to reach Kiloran wanes, while the locals perceive her as high-handed and arrogant. What becomes evident is Joan's deep affection for Torquil, coupled with fear about what it entails.

Torquil's circle on the island includes Catriona Potts, beautifully portrayed by Pamela Brown, a worldly and down-to-earth companion who may have harbored feelings for Torquil in the past, and Colonel Barnstaple, the eccentric eagle trainer with a distinctive foghorn voice, portrayed by real-life falconer CWR Knight.

An intriguing moment unfolds when Joan attempts to contact Sir Robert using a two-way radio, as telephone lines are unreliable. We hear Sir Robert's brash and haughty voice for the first time. Unaware that Torquil is listening, Sir Robert inadvertently insults him by implying his lack of interest. Joan's sharp inquiry about a cold exposes the pomposity in his voice, a stark contrast to the islanders' hospitality and charm. This realization adds a layer of complexity to Joan's feelings.

The film also features a heartwarming ceilidh scene, with John Laurie as John Campbell joyfully celebrating his parents' 60th wedding anniversary, along with Herbert Lomas as his elderly father, who is overcome by nerves when asked to make a speech. The three pipers hired by Sir Robert for his wedding, like Joan, find themselves stranded on Mull, and they join in the festivities, further cementing the film's themes.

As for the laird, he remains cautious about entering Moy Castle due to a family curse but is equally concerned about a more immediate threat: the Corryvreckan whirlpool. It might prove deadly if Joan impulsively decides to cross it, unable to wait any longer. "I Know Where I'm Going!" envelops its audience in happiness and innocence that transcends time and remains a cinematic treasure.