\_/N|)ER /\/\I|_K \/\/00|) 1 1971

Undr Mlk Wodn is an imaginative, cinematic rendering of Dyln Thmas's famous "play for voices," typically read on stage by a handful of actors expressing the dialogue of more than 50 characters living in a small, Welsh fishing village. Filmmaker Andrew Sinclair sets the story in a real seaside community and visually complements the text's lengthy, opening narration by enlisting Richard Burton both for his brooding voiceover and a mysterious, on-screen role as a drunken gadabout soaking in the very soul of the town Thomas' words describe. Once the narration ends, the film breathes freely with a succession of lively vignettes, some funny, some dramatic, but all rooted in the peculiar circumstances of characters who either feel trapped by or ensconced in their home. Peter O'Toole plays the wizened, blind Captain Cat, haunted by memories of drowned sailors but so attuned to the sounds of village life outside his window he can identify the children screaming in a park. Elizabeth Taylor (Burton's wife at the time) makes a brief appearance as Rosie Probert, and the other players include Glynis Johns, Vivien Merchant, and Victor Spinetti.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• FILM

[piccanninni]

@DrKincade "However, at 03:11, if that isn't the moon in the sky, then what is it?" Ironically its the sun; its filmed in the day with a black lens filter.

[essertpitay]

Wasn't it be raunchy for its time ?

[240soundwave]

@DrKincade first 10 mins the best by far richard burton dylan thomas pure and simple with video oh my soul

[DrKincade]

I love this DVD, but in this film there is glaring error, in the second line of the narrative, it says, "It is spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black..." However, at 03:11, if that isn't the moon in the sky, then what is it?

Of course, if there was no light we would see bugger all or may be we wouldn't see Llareggub...

Thanks for posting this, tis far easier to come here to see this than hunt out the old DVD as it's only the first 10 mins I ever want to see.

[creativeforce11]

The voice of Richard Burton is wonderful.

[significantlycynical]

Welsh humour "God gave us the gift for poetry and covered us in coal" from Fergus Cashin's biography of Burton; chapter one is about Welsh miners -

in the book when asked what he would do if the world had half an hour to run he said "I would go back to the Side" the Side being a part of his village where the miners hung out.

I can only guess that he gave them alot of money, the miners - on the gravestone of the mine owner is graffitti "may God forgive me"

[katycoyote]

just to hear his voice xxx

[katycoyote]

got this on video brilliaant xxx

[diddeliduddi]

on! much obliged and thankful for this darling film!

[oldaba]

Thanks for this!