The original screenplay for this film was written by Dylan Thomas, and this version by Karl Francis (a welshman himself) is appropriately absurd. The element of cross-dressing (not transvestism) involved earned the film a '15' certificate in the UK, perhaps not warranted by any other aspect of it.
Although based on true historical events, the real poverty and desperation of the period in which the film is set have been removed, and replaced with the standard characterisation of the Welsh as being unquestioningly religious, and given to mordant humour.
As can be imagined, a plot which involves men dressing up as women gives plenty of opportunities for ribaldry. Peter O'Toole is gloriously over-the-top as a drunken Lord, Simon Dormandy is a buffoonish cavalry officer, and the characters played by Dafydd Hywel, Sue Roderick, Huw Ceredig and even Joely Richardson have some nice earthy witticisms to deliver.
The welsh countryside in which the scenes were shot gives a nice light feel to the film, although it doesn't rain as much as ought to be expected; some local stately homes and buildings (such as Atlantic College) are impressive in the indoor sequences.
A nice evening's fun to watch.
Although based on true historical events, the real poverty and desperation of the period in which the film is set have been removed, and replaced with the standard characterisation of the Welsh as being unquestioningly religious, and given to mordant humour.
As can be imagined, a plot which involves men dressing up as women gives plenty of opportunities for ribaldry. Peter O'Toole is gloriously over-the-top as a drunken Lord, Simon Dormandy is a buffoonish cavalry officer, and the characters played by Dafydd Hywel, Sue Roderick, Huw Ceredig and even Joely Richardson have some nice earthy witticisms to deliver.
The welsh countryside in which the scenes were shot gives a nice light feel to the film, although it doesn't rain as much as ought to be expected; some local stately homes and buildings (such as Atlantic College) are impressive in the indoor sequences.
A nice evening's fun to watch.