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Part of the Vintage Classics collection 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.

Restless Natives (1985)
89 min
Two lads in Edinburgh embark on a non-violent spree of robberies. They dress up in clown masks and act as modern highwaymen, robbing coach loads of tourists in the highlands. In the process they become folk heroes to the locals.