A thoroughly absorbing film from start to finish it deserves 10/10 for offering something on every level from charm and humour, to romance, suspense, and ultimately tragedy. H.E. Bates character creation and story lines are always excellent, with well observed characters and detailed rural settings. This film does credit to the original short story, and has captured countless period details, which at the time seemed everyday, but now appear quaint and distant. Forty years ago many rural houses did not have running hot water, and chickens in the house were to be expected if you left the door open. Most towns had a cattle market, and market day was the busiest weekday, when pubs were packed at lunch, and muddy Land Rovers and lorries swelled the streets. Perhaps neither of the film's central characters are very appealing to many people, especially the urban majority who even in 1971 would have struggled to empathise. However, I suspect the film's lack of long term fame is more down to it being unfashionable at the time. It is neither a kitchen sink drama, nor a carry-on. It is not arty or surreal. Those more high-brow than myself, might suggest that the film unexpectedly changes direction from a comedy to a tragedy. However it matters not, in fact it is all the better for taking its audience through a series of emotions. It is simply, a jolly good film. As an ordinary country girl Dulcima would have only known hard work, and scruffy lads, and would have escaped like so many to a world of more glamorous dreams, fuelled by glossy magazines, and the lure of the new and exciting. Could she be blamed for taking advantage? She was fallible and unscrupulous like Mr Parker, and for a while they seemed to have a fair contract: She, scheming and manipulative, and he, mean and lascivious. Playing on Mr Parker's jealousy, she embroils an innocent young man with tragic consequences. Towards the end of her journey she sees what she has done and tries to do right, but wheels are in motion and lead us to a shocking climax. Dulcima is one of the many forgotten gems of 60's and 70's cinema and deserves re-release and screening again. Frank Nesbitt must be proud of this film, and I'd like to see it re-surface one day to wider and more enduring recognition.
Review of Dulcima
