Joan Webster (Wendy Hiller) always knew what she wanted and where she was going from an early age. At age 25, she is engaged to Bellinger, an industrialist twice her age. He has summoned her to an island of Kiloran, off the North West coast of Scotland where he rented a castle for their marriage ceremony. Joan eagerly packs her bags and wedding dress, says goodbye to her worried father and heads north. According to the itinerary that was sent to her, she will take an overnight train to Glasgow, then to the port town of Tobermory then a boat to Kiloran. But when she gets to Tobermory, the weather turns bad and she is marooned for days. With the help of Torquil McNeil (Roger Livesey), a local Kiloran man who is on a brief leave from military duty, Joan secures lodging. There, she finds locals gossiping about her future husband who is throwing money around while not knowing the local way of living, which is very much tied to its nature and the sea.
At first, Joan keeps to herself out of politeness, not showing her frustration at her delay due to strong gale wind that prevents her from a short boat ride to Bellinger on Kiloran, but as each day goes by, she grows ever more impatient and bitchy to everyone around her, while the local ferry man keeps giving her vague answers about the weather and possibilities of crossing the water. Meanwhile, McNeil, whose family owns the castle that Bellinger is renting from, is very much attracted to Joan, and Joan, faithful to her betrothed, keeps her distance.
Joan gets fed up with all the waiting, and buys her way on to a boat, manned by a local boy who desperately needs money to marry a local sweetheart, who happens to be the ferry man's daughter. Everyone warns about the dangers of boat flipping over and drowning but Joan, even if it's risking other people's lives, she is stubborn and selfish and won't change her mind. McNeil first tries to convince her, then joins her to help cross the water. Predictably, the weather turns bad, the boat takes on water and the engine dies. And the boat gets caught in corryvreckan- the whirlpool created by tumultuous sea and storm.
I Know Where I'm Going is another poignant tale from the Archers (Powell & Pressburger) that shows however determined and confident you are, life always throws curve balls at you. And money isn't everything. The dangerous boat rides sequences are spectacular and some great visual effects also. It showcases the legends and culture and scenic beauty of Scotland, if not a little unconvincing romance.
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