Restless Natives – 1985 | 89 mins | Comedy | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Whimsical Scottish comedy following the escapades of two Edinburgh likely-lads who embark on a spate of non-violent robberies in the style of a modern-day Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Ked. Restless Natives never takes itself too seriously and works as a charming homage to the films of director Bill Forsyth. The guitars-as-bagpipes soundtrack is provided by the late lamented Stuart Adamson of rock band Big Country.

Two youthful Edinburgh losers, unemployed Will (Vincent Friell) and orphaned joke shop assistant Ronnie (Joe Mullaney) strive to improve their lifestyle by holding up tourist coaches in the Highlands disguised as the Clown and the Wolfman. The pair soon gain media notoriety in Scotland and angling-obsessed local detective Baird (Robert Urquhart) and CIA officer Bender (Ned Beatty) are put on the case to apprehend the terrible twosome. The two highwaymen elevate themselves to the status of national heroes when they distribute a share of their proceeds to the poor, as their fame spreads across the globe the Highlands becomes home to an interfering Japanese tv crew – gripped by the fact the tearaways commit their hold-ups using a Suzuki GP-125! When Will falls in love with coach guide Margot (Teri Lally) and Ronnie gets ideas above his station about joining a criminal cooperative – the day of the pair’s final stick-up draws ever near.