Dulcima

This film title was long forgotten until i recently spent time reminiscing with an old school friend, we had both attended Minchinhampton school in the late 60's and had watched in awe as the film crews and stars strutted their stuff, in particular John Mills, later to become Sir John Mills, I remember well, the morning i was walking to school and had to stop and wait until a scene had been shot at the rear of the crown inn, as he passed me the great man patted me on the head.

I have recently managed to find a copy on DVD, watching it i was catapulted back to a time of innocent childhood, Mills's character, Parker, could of been based on one of many eccentrics that have lived in and around the Stroud Valleys.

The country side has not changed a great deal but the peacefulness has, watching you realise the impact the motor car has had on the area, in particular to Minchinhampton, i remember the village streets before they became clogged with cars, a time when nearly everyone travelled ON the green Bristol omnibus.

Times change i know, but at least with gorgeous films like this the memories live on.

This wonderful film captures a time gone by when county life in rural England had hardly changed since the Second World War. John Mills, plays Mr Parker, a drunken farmer, living on his own in total squalor. His farm though, is stuffed full of his money. It's hidden in every conceivable place, under the floorboards, inside the toilet cistern and even in the lining of his Trilby hat. Dulcima, a twenty something year old, played by Carol White, lives on an adjacent farm and is down trodden by her brute of a father, played by Bernard Lee. She is expected to do everything in the house while he sits happily on his backside complaining about her all the time. Longing to escape this drudgery, she dreams of meeting and falling in love with a handsome stranger, who will sweep her of her feet and take her away from it all.

By chance one day, Mr Parker is returning home in his beat up old Land Rover from a trip to the pub. Drunk as a lord, he clips the baby's pram that Dulcima had just been pushing. Intent on giving him a good piece of her mind she strides up to the farm to confront him. Unfortunately she finds he's crashed out in a drunken stupor on the floor. Seeing the state he's in and the farm, she decides to straighten both out and immediately begins by cleaning the kitchen, much to the bewilderment of Mr Parker when he finally sobers up. The relationship between them, then begins to grow, with very amusing consequences as she tries to get him to part with some of his money while he tries to get her to bed.

John Mills made, at roughly the same time 'The Family Way' which was a huge success. It also stared his daughter Hayley Mills along with Hywel Bennett. Another very fine film of John's in indeed.

Carol White made two excellent hard hitting social films for TV in the late 60's, 'Poor Cow' and 'Cathy Come Home', both available on DVD, showing what a superb young actress she was at the time. Sadly she died in 1991 from a liver disease.

Dulcima is a very delightful film that to my knowledge has only been screened once on British TV. I have a fading copy on Betamax, but would love to have a crisp clean copy of it on DVD. I live in hope!

I'd just like to add here that since I posted this review Frank Nesbitt the Director contacted me thanking me for my comments regarding his film and also kindly sent me a DVD copy of 'Dulcima' for which I will be forever grateful.

This film is particularly dear to me as they knocked down our wall while they were making it! As compensation we got an invitation to go and see them filming nearby! The film is such quintessentially English that it really should be in everyone's film library for its scenes and great acting. It reminds you very much of Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee which also hails from the Cotswolds. Both John and Hayley Mills give a great performance, and the innocence of this post war era really comes over. I noticed a couple of comments about obtaining copies of the film and wonder if anyone could let me know where they have been able to get it?

Where to start only to say that I have tracked a copy of this film down and i was convinced it was filmed in Devon or somerset where I work & live only to see it is in fact made in Gloucestershire. Brings back Happy memories of the 70's for me and what an Idyllic place England was then. This movie i believe was only shown Once on TV in the Mid seventies and surly deserves to be shown again. It is just such a simple story but it encompasses all the simple things in life that make us smile. I would love to hear from anyone who knows when exactly it was shown on TV ie; 1975 or 76. I hope all of you fans get a copy soon. Anyway finally a lovely Movie and big thanks to Carol White and John Mills and the Director not forgetting the producer.

Enchanting in the way it accurately depicts the Gloucestershire countryside, towns and villages (Minchinhampton, Tetbury, etc.) 50 or so years ago. Enchanting too in the acting by all involved - the much missed Dudley Foster giving a compelling cameo as Symes and even Kristin Hatfield delights as the assistant in the dress shop. Johnny Douglas's score and recurring theme is just right for the characters and the locations.

Yet disturbing in its climax which comes as a shock but which captures the counterpoint between rural charm and human frailty. An underrated gem from Frank Nesbitt.