The Last Days of Dolwyn

I find it incomprehensible that this gem of a film about a Welsh village doomed to be flooded by a new dam is available only in a less than pristine print. The current DVD is simply a transfer from a VHS tape (one reviewer said the version he taped off of TV looked better). You would think a film with Emlyn Williams, Dame Edith Evans, and featuring the first screen appearance of a 23 year old Richard Burton would be a prime candidate for the "Criterion treatment" but so far nothing, not even in England. The picture quality on this release is good to excellent but the soundtrack needs to be cleaned up. You can hear everything but it takes a little effort.

I first saw this movie back in 1980 when I was living in the historic city of Charleston, SC. From the opening shot of a vast lake with the top of a church steeple rising out of it, I was hooked. I didn't recognize Richard Burton at first as he was so young. His voice hadn't matured yet and he spoke as much Welsh as he did English. In fact one of the pure delights of the film is that so much Welsh is spoken even by Edith Evans whose accent blends right in with Burton's and a young Hugh Griffith as the village minister. Welsh author-director-star Emlyn Williams (THE CORN IS GREEN) does a remarkable job in all three roles. He is not as well known today as he used to be but he was a major talent which is fully on display here.

The story is set in 1892 and deals with the impending flooding of a small Welsh village to provide water for a neighboring English county. The man behind the project (Williams), a former villager, is working for the power company but has reasons of his own for wanting to see the village inundated. The townspeople are of two minds. Some want the money and jobs promised but others don't want to move to Liverpool. Edith Evans is heartbreaking as the village elder who doesn't want to see the town disappear. Burton is one of her two sons. Although the outcome is known, the ending comes as a real surprise. I was bewildered by it as the plot twist seems highly improbable. Despite that, the depiction of village life is poignant and the Welsh language poetic and beautiful. Now all we need is a first class restoration...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.

Richard Burton's first film and Dame Edith Evans before her smash hit in Wilde's "Earnest"(and after establishing herself in the theatre and knighted), plus a wonderful cast of supporting characters and an atmosphere of solid strength of morals and ethics which only British films can evoke so memorably on celluloid.

This movie is a gem because it seeps into the deepest crevices of our hearts by a subtle interplay of mood and character study where words fail and acting skill take over.

'The Last Days of Dolwyn' is highly recommended. If you have the chance see it.

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.

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.

The Last Days of Dolwyn is an interesting minor drama set in the valleys of Wales. It is set in the 1890s, and details the events that lead up to the deliberate flooding of a village in order to create a new reservoir. Some of the villagers are excited about the prospects being relocated once their village has gone, while others wish that they could carry on living where they do.

The acting throughout this film is superlative, including a young looking Richard Burton making his film debut. However, the dramatic aspects of the story are rather low key, almost to the point where they don't work. The climax should be really exciting, since it deals with a handful of people who find themselves trapped in the village in the minutes before it is due to be flooded, yet the sequence fizzles out without making much of an impact.

The Last Days of Dolwyn is worth watching for the acting, and the lovely Welsh settings. But if you're wanting a strong emotional story thread, this film simply doesn't provide it.