The Last Days of Dolwyn

There is a marked contrast between the careers of the two leads,Richard Burton,in his debut performance,and Emlyn Wiliiams.

Burton shows here why he went on to become a star,but after marrying Elizabeth taylor his career was doomed,apart for a couple of performances. Otherwise it was a case of take the money and run till his early death.

Williams on the other hand had been around since the thirties and would be around for a time after Burton's death.

As a writer he knew how to write best for himself. Thus he played maany villains,particularly blackmailers and he was very effective as such.

They both make this a very watchable film.

This is a film that is hard to find, but when yo find it, it's worth it. It moves briskly for a drama, and has lots of charm.

It is the story of big business against the little people, in this case the little people being a Welsh village.

But the big business isn't portrayed so one dimensionally, either. In fact, only one heartless man is responsible for the turmoil caused, and indeed the British lord in charge is much more sensible and human. However, the heartless man is in the role of agent, and once lived in the village before being discovered as a thief.

Two elements that magnetize a viewer to this piece are Irony and Atmosphere. This film is high on both, and I love Irony and Atmosphere.

The Last Days of Dolwyn is a thoughtful and moving film, which conveys its main purpose expertly. The storyline is a simple one, and concerns the flooding of a small welsh village to provide water to the inhabitants of certain towns in Lancashire, England. Emlyn Williams completes a tour-de-force as writer, director and star of this film. On all three counts he does exceptionally well, and it was no surprise that he went on to become a famous showbiz personality. His portrayal of the arrogant and selfish agent is particularly noteworthy, and he is the perfect villain of the piece. In fact, the whole cast is top notch, and there isn't a dud performance to be seen. This top quality ensemble playing does greatly enhance the film, as does the typical welsh valley scenery. However, a special mention must be made of that great actress Edith Evans, who gives a magnificent performance in the lead role. She demonstrates the art of acting at its very best, and undoubtedly brings that extra special touch of quality to this film. It's not an easy film to track down, but is well worth the effort if you can see it. Highly recommended.

An unexpectedly strong performance from most of the cast in this delightful, thoughtful film.

Edith Evans gave a low key, believable performance, far removed from the over the top, grandstanding appearances she became known for later on.

It was interesting to see and hear the very young Richard Burton, speaking and singing in his native tongue. It is easy to see how he rapidly rose in the firmament of acting stars but also sad to know that his wonderful voice would be ruined by his lifestyle.

Emlyn Williams brilliantly portrayed a small rural village and it inhabitants, which could have been found all over the U. K. where most of the inhabitants often had little control over their lives, (as it was and is elsewhere in the world). In the era the film was set, 'Progress' was king and the little people were ignored. A number of villages were flooded in order to create reservoirs for major and expanding towns. Many reservoirs have been constructed all over the U. K. in more recent times, some flooding villages and towns. The experience of the villagers in the film is mirrored still, in other countries e.g.Egypt and the Aswan Dam and more recently China and the Three Gorges Dam.

The majority of speaking parts were clearly played by actors who were fluent in Welsh, which was spoken extensively.

The film is understated, not flashy and reliant on big budget 'Disaster Movie' effects. It is about the people.

Britain's precursor to 'Wild River' is the only film ever directed by Emlyn Williams, in which he rather perversely cast himself as the serpent in this particular Eden in the form of a disgraced local boy who doesn't even understand Welsh chased out of town for stealing the collection money returned to the land of his fathers to gloatingly offer an ultimatum to the locals to let their village die or face financial oblivion.

Returning locals speak with wonder of Liverpool as an exotic place of houses with seven windows, full of people who never speak to each other; while Edith Evans plays the Jo Van Fleet role and a young and dashing Richard Burton plays Evans' adopted son, both of whom we actually get to hear speak gaelic.