Under Milk Wood (1972)

This is a delightful if peculiar story of a day in the life of a small, Welsh fishing village called "Llareggub" (read it backwards). We meet a host of curious characters (and ghosts) ... See full summary »

Director:

Andrew Sinclair

Writers:

Andrew Sinclair, Dylan Thomas (play)

Stars:

Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter O'Toole

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Burton	...	First Man
Elizabeth Taylor	...	Rosie Probert
Peter O'Toole	...	Captain Tom Cat
Glynis Johns	...	Myfanwy Price
Vivien Merchant	...	Mrs. Pugh
Siân Phillips	...	Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard
Victor Spinetti	...	Mog Edwards
Ryan Davies	...	Second Man
Angharad Rees	...	Gossamer Beynon
Ray Smith	...	Mr. Waldo
Michael Forest	...	Sinbad Sailor
Ann Beach	...	Polly Garter
Glynn Edwards	...	Mr. Cherry Owen
Bridget Turner	...	Mrs. Cherry Owen
Talfryn Thomas	...	Mr. Pugh

Storyline

This is a delightful if peculiar story of a day in the life of a small, Welsh fishing village called "Llareggub" (read it backwards). We meet a host of curious characters (and ghosts) through the 'eyes' of Blind Captain cat. This is a true "Classic" of modern British writing with a wonderful, mischievous use of language.

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Plot Keywords:

welsh | independent film | based on play

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

A mi erdőnk alján

Filming Locations:

Lower Town, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Timon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Peter O'Toole spends the latter part of the film with his eyes closed because he couldn't stand wearing the contact lenses that gave him the appearance of blindness which he wore in the earlier parts of the film.

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Connections

Version of Under Milk Wood (1957)

User Reviews

not altogether satisfactory

Dylan Thomas' play for voices has always worked best as a radio text, where its rich poetry can be fully appreciated. This film version is indeed true to the text but as a visual medium, is saddled with the need to open out and show scenes as described in the text - with sometimes risible results.

However, there are certain strengths that even the filmed treatment can't ruin. Chief amongst these are Peter O'Toole's interpretation of the blind Captain Cat, dreaming of his lost love, Rosie Probert (played by an overly made-up Elizabeth Taylor); and O'Toole's then wife, Sian Phillips, as Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard, abusing both her dead husbands as they lie with her. Polly Garter and Myfanwy Price, Thomas' corrupt and innocent, are well-played by Ann Beach and Glynis Johns.

Richard Burton is 1st Voice, as he was in the memorable radio production of the 1950s. But here he is also a malevolent presence wandering quietly round the village of Llareggub, influencing the action at some points (the scene in the barn seemed out-of-place and slowed the pace of this film). I'm not knocking Burton's voice, which was superb for the material, but perhaps his presence would have been better restricted to a narrator.