As Scottish cult cinematic classics go, Restless Natives is right up there with Gregory’s Girl, Local Hero and Sweet Sixteen.
Shot in Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands, director Michael Hoffman’s unforgettable crime caper about two young locals, played by Vincent Friell and Joe Mullaney, who hatch a dastardly scheme to rob tourist coaches hit all the right notes when it was released in 1985.
Wearing a wolfman and clown mask and riding a Suzuki GP 125, the lads become folk heroes in this 20th century reimagining of the Robin Hood legend by gifting their stolen proceeds to the people.
The capital featured prominently throughout the movie, with Wester Hailes and the city centre providing some of the film's most iconic backdrops.
Bolstered by a soul-stirring soundtrack from Big Country, the charming, gag-filled movie is a must-see for fans of Scottish cinema.
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But where are the cast now? Read on to find out.
Vincent Friell (Will Bryce)
Vincent Friell put in a memorable performance as the unassuming Will, who ends up sacked from his job as a street cleaner and decides with mate Ronnie to become a highway robber.
Having played Diane’s dad in Trainspotting and a prosecutor in 2012 flick The Angels’ Share, over the years Friell has also appeared in numerous TV shows, including Taggart, Rab C Nesbitt and Still Game.
Friell, 62, recently revealed that stunt actors rode the motorcycle for scenes in Restless Natives because he kept falling off.
Joe Mullaney (Ronnie Witherspoon)
Joe Mullaney’s turn as joke shop worker Ronnie in Restless Natives remains his best-known film role.
The 60-year-old actor has worked extensively in TV, film and theatre over the years, however, his last screen role came in 1994 for Doctor Finlay. He now works as a role play actor for medical students.
Teri Lally (Margot)
As tourist guide Margot, Teri Lally catches the eye of Vincent Friell’s character in Restless Natives.
Teri, 61, starred in more than 130 episodes of Take the High Road in the 80s and 90s, but hasn’t done a lot of TV and film work since. She is now an acting coach and costume designer in Glasgow.
Iain McColl (Nigel)
The late Iain McColl played the fiery Nigel, one of the more restless of the Restless Natives characters.
McColl became a familiar face in TV and film in Scotland in the years after Restless Natives, starring in hit sitcoms City Lights, Rab C Nesbitt and Still Game. The Dunbartonshire actor was also cast in the role of condemned man Seamus in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York in 2002.
In 2013 Iain McColl died at the age of 59 following a battle with cancer.
Ned Beatty (Bender)
Being, without question, the most widely-known actor from the Restless Natives cast, Ned Beatty was perfect as CIA agent Bender.
Once dubbed “the busiest actor in Hollywood”, in 1985 Ned had already appeared in a long list of blockbusters, including Deliverance, All the President’s Men, Network and Superman.
Still active into his 70s, Ned also voiced the Lots-O-Huggin’ bear from Toy Story 3 (2010) and starred in comedy Baggage Claim (2013).
Ned Beatty died in 2021 at the age of 83.
