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Brychan
Reviews
Valley of Song (1953)
Harmless, totally stereotypical, but enjoyable.
*Spoiler* The film follows a "Romeo and Juliet" type plot with two of the main characters, Cliff Lloyd and Olwen Davies being unable to get married because of a family feud. The new choir master of the valley SATB choir chooses Olwen's mother to be the solo contralto in Messiah; this causes uproar in the Lloyd family because Mrs Lloyd (Cliff's mother) has sung the part for the last 30 years. (+ she is three-times semi-finalist at the National Eisteddfod, as we are reminded constantly) To cut a long story short there is a lot of quarelling and bitching between the two families (even in the local school where the Lloyd and Davies children have a scrap) until the young couple threaten to elope. Mrs Lloyd comes to her senses and the film ends happily with the valley choir belting out the "Halelluia Chorus"
The film is really quite funny, mainly because it is a top-rate first-class stereotypical portrayal of life in a South-Wales community. There are lots of miners singing in tin baths, choir practises galore and a very Welsh depiction of the importance of kinship. The acting is OK and since there are no major themes, complex plot or demanding roles, the actors can carry the film well. It is evident that they are enjoying themselves. There are memorable performances by Rachel Thomas and Clifford Evans. My favourite quote of the film: SCENE: Old Mr Ebenezer Davies lies dying in bed indulging in the fantasy of his own funeral. (bear in mind that Mr Gwilym Lloyd is the village undertaker) MR DAVIES: I'm sure Marged will do me proud, plenty to eat for everybody..... me lying in the front room and the choir singing around the door..... Then the long long ride in the big black herse...[SUDDEN REALISATION AND HUGE GASP].....LLOYD'S HERSE!!!! Never, as long as I live and breathe.....I'm not having Gwilym Lloyd coming in here and fixing me up when we're not on speaking terms, ruin my day for me!!
I really enjoyed this film (perhaps I'm biased; it was filmed in the village where I grew up!!) Nevertheless it is a humourous innocent film, a real rainy-Sunday-afternoon golden-oldie type.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1988)
Simple but admirable
Now that I'm older I can see that the effects in this film are a bit on the dodgy side, but let's remember that this was over 10 years ago. I was enthralled by this BBC interpretation when I was in primary school. Mr Tumnus' cave is fantastic, and I was petrified of Kellerman as the white witch. The film is very true to the text.
Many people are very negative about the "cheapness" of the film. Ok it isn't a masterpiece, but I've seen things coming out of America made with enormous resources that are far inferior to this adaptation of TLTWATW. If you like big effects and impressive graphics blah, blah, blah, you'll hate this dramatisation.
If you've got something called imagination and an appreciation of the evident passion that went into this film you'll love it. Children of all ages will love it. Simple things can be the best