Displaying items by tag: Edith Evans

THE LAST DAYS OF DOLWYN

UK, 1949, 95 minutes, Black and white.

Edith Evans, Richard Burton, Anthony James, Emlyn Williams, Hugh Griffith.

Directed by Emlyn Williams.

Interesting film from 1949 for many reasons. It was typical of British filmmaking after World War II, some austerity in production, black-and-white photography, return to social themes from 50 years earlier in the 1890s, consequences of the Industrial Revolution, Welsh villages.

There is also the personal theme of the man ejected from the village, returning to wreak his revenge.

The film was written and directed by playwright-actor, Emlyn Williams, Night Must Fall, The Corn is Green. And he plays a central role in this film.

But, in retrospect, the film is very interesting as the first film from one of Wales’s most famous actors, Richard Burton. Within five years he was in Hollywood appearing in such blockbusters as, the Robe.   And, of course, a famous and notorious life and career.

It also was the emergence of Edith Evans as a significant screen actress, famous on stage, moving into film, celebrated for her lady Bracknell in The Importance Being Earnest and an Oscar nomination in the 1960s for The Whisperers.

1. Basic British filmmaking of the late 1940s, script, direction, cast, settings and local Welsh photography? Remembering the 1890s? Local issues, Welsh communities in villages? Industrial Revolution and consequences?
2. The black-and-white photography, authentic feel, the village, the mountains, the dam? The Chapel, interiors? The Welsh singing, choirs?
3. Mr Davis, snob, from England, his back story, a child, accusations of thieving, his being ousted? Wanting revenge? The minister giving him a lift, the initial clash about preaching? Coming to the village, outside the Chapel, listening to the homily? The people coming out, his accommodation, talking with the singer? Wanting to be driven a carriage to Lady Dolwyn’s house?
4. The initial atmosphere of Welsh life in the 19^th century, community, enclosed, not travelling, the Chapel, the whole community, listening to the sermon, Welsh language, life in the town, Lady Dolwyn and her daughter, going to the Chapel? Mary, the back of the Chapel, tidying, the death of her child 20 years earlier, adopting the boys? Running the shop?
5. The emerging of the issue, the need for water in Lancashire, the exploitation of the Welsh water, Davis and his route through the valley, his revenge, his speeches, the offer of money, the discussions amongst the people, whether to sign or not, the money, the moved to Liverpool, work in the mills? Signing?
6. Gareth, returning from Liverpool, his explanation of the trams, people unfriendly…? His brother wanting to go to Liverpool? The bonds between the adopted sons and their mother? Gareth, attracted to the aristocratic daughter, in the woods, the glove, failure to speak, the later attractions, at the social, dancing, the bonding? The other brother working at the family mansion?
7. The Minister, his warnings, unmasking Davis?
8. Mary, unwilling to go, discussions with her sons? Her visit to Lady Dolwyn?
9. Davis, Mary and the document for her house, not wanting to sell? Davis going to the dam, to flood the valley? His return, the confrontation with Mary, Gareth and the fight, the fire, on fire, Mary wanting the doctor? His death?
10. The community waiting in the hills, apprehensions?
11. Mary, the discussions with Gareth, the dead body, her decision, conceal the body, her going to the dam, and her causing the flood?
12. Her returning to the people on the hill – and the openness to the future?